We’re seeing a lot of brilliant basketball out of the Big 12 this season and this upcoming Saturday should certainly give us even more to watch. It’s a big game between Texas Tech and UCF down in Orlando as both teams are looking to assert themselves, though one of these teams is certainly making much more a statement on a national level.
We’re saying those things about Texas Tech (16-4), as the #11 team in the nation has really turned things on here across the last month or so. The Red Raiders have wins over BYU, Duke, and Houston in their last ten outings and are up to 6-1 in the conference race. Texas Tech split a pair of exciting games with Houston in January and absolutely look like a national contender with how their lineup has played.
You won’t find the same quality for UCF (16-4) and their resume, but the Knights just might be better than most people expected. An early double-digit win at Texas A&M aged nicely and they did beat Kansas early in conference play. Even with their 5-3 mark in Big 12 play, it’s hard to trust UCF, especially after a 30-point drubbing against Iowa State less than two weeks ago, though this game provides them a real chance to prove themselves.
Texas Tech vs. UCF: When and Where
Date: Saturday, January 31, 2026, 12:00 pm ET
Location: Additional Financial Arena in Orlando, Florida
Texas Tech vs. UCF: Where to Watch or Stream
Watch: ESPN2
Streaming: FuboTV
Texas Tech vs. UCF: Betting Odds
Spread: Texas Tech Red Raiders -3.5, UCF Knights +3.5
Moneyline: Texas Tech Red Raiders -180, UCF Knights +172
Total: 160
Texas Tech vs. UCF: Series History
All-time series: UCF leads 2-1
Last meeting: UCF 87, Texas Tech 83 (December 31, 2024)
Projected Starting Lineups
Texas Tech Red Raiders
JT Toppin (22.1 ppg, 10.9 rpg)
Christian Anderson (19.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 7.5 apg)
Donovan Atwell (12.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg)
LeJuan Watts (12.8 ppg, 6.4 rpg)
Jaylen Petty (9.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg)
UCF Knights
Riley Kugel (15.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg)
Themus Fulks (13.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 7.2 apg)
Jordan Burks (12.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg)
Jamichael Stillwell (12.5 ppg, 7.9 rpg)
John Bol (5.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg)
The Knights’ defense hasn’t exactly been playing great ball during Big 12 play and have a significant challenge in Toppin and the rest of this starting lineup. Any road to a victory for UCF comes in containing those playmakers. Texas Tech is one of the hottest teams in the nation and won’t be terrified by this road trip. If Anderson plays at a high level and Toppin gets going down low then it’ll be a long afternoon for the Knights. They really need Fulks running this offense at a high level and Stillwell and company to do whatever possible to limit the frontcourt of the Red Raiders.
Does Texas Tech keep their hot streak going with another solid performance away from Lubbock? Will UCF find a way to limit the opportunities for the Red Raiders and grab what would be another stellar win on their home floor?