18. Texas Tech (16-3)
The expectations at Texas Tech have altered on a nearly year-by-year basis, with so much change as tumult in this program. This season was another fresh start, with Grant McCasland taking over a program that was in the national title game in 2019 but really struggled last season. Whatever comes of this season, it’s clear that McCasland has been a dynamite hire, with the Red Raiders looking really great.
They’re doing it more with offense than defense unlike recent seasons, but the Red Raiders just keep getting the job done. Their lone contest of the week was a Saturday trip to Norman where they clung to an 85-84 road win over Oklahoma. Texas Tech had one of their best offensive showings of the season, getting 27 points and 9 rebounds from Chance McMillian off the bench and an 18-point effort from Pop Isaacs as well.
Texas Tech is 5-1 in Big 12 play and no matter who or where they’ve played there’s no question that that’s an impressive record. As mentioned, the offense has been spearheading that hot start, a start that also includes wins over Texas and BYU in recent weeks. No matter how you break it down, these Red Raiders have two really hard-fought road wins and will need that same energy next week as they head to TCU on Tuesday night.