The Iowa State Cyclones and the Texas Tech Red Raiders continue Big 12 Conference men’s basketball action on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Lubbock, Texas.
Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. central on ESPN. The Cyclones (13-1, 3-0 in Big 12) are ranked No. 3 in the AP Top 25 while Texas Tech (11-3, 2-1) is not ranked.
Texas Tech boasts one of the best home environments in the Big 12, one that rivals what Cyclone fans bring at Hilton Coliseum. Iowa State has now won 10 straight games and is coming off a dominant 82-59 win over Utah.
Texas Tech has won four of its last five and is coming off a 72-67 win on the road at BYU. The Red Raiders’ only Big 12 loss to this point was to UCF in the opener.
Here is a preview of Saturday’s game.
How to Watch Texas Tech vs. Iowa State
Date: Saturday, January 11, 2025
Time: 1 p.m. CT
TV Channel: ESPN
Site: United Supermarkets Arena, Lubbock, Texas
Texas Tech vs. Iowa State Betting Odds, Lines
Opening Line: Iowa State -1
Current Line: Texas Tech -2.5
Over/Under: 147.5
Texas Tech vs. Iowa State Predictions
Expect this game to be close. Iowa State hasn’t lost a true road game and Texas Tech’s only home loss was to UCF and was only by four points. But the Red Raiders haven’t played a home game since then.
We’re running out of superlatives to describe Iowa State’s season to this point. The Cyclones are No. 7 in NCAA NET, the second-highest ranked Big 12 team behind Houston (No. 4). Ken Pom has ISU with the No. 6 offensive rating (123.2 points per 100 possessions) and the No. 9 defensive rating (92.3).
The Cyclones have settled into an eight-man rotation, with Curtis Jones emerging as one of the nation’s best sixth men. He’s averaging 16.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.4 steals. He leads ISU in scoring (albeit barely over Keshon Gilbert’s 16.1 ppg) and he comes off the bench. He’s also one of their best 3-point shooters. In the win over Utah he had 23 points, including a trio of 3-pointers.
Related: Big 12 Basketball Power Rankings: Two Newcomers in the Top 5
ISU’s balance on both ends is why it is so hard to beat.
Texas Tech is no slouch. The Red Raiders come into the game with a No. 17 NET rating, No. 8 in Ken Pom offensive efficiency (122.6) and No. 58 in defensive efficiency (99.8). Tech is one of a handful of teams that can keep up with the Cyclones on the offensive end.
Forward JT Toppin doesn’t get enough love on a team that can fire away from the 3-point line. But the transfer has been invaluable for the Red Raiders. He leads the team with 17.2 points per game, even though he missed four games this season. He grabs 9.1 rebounds and blocks 1.7 shots per game. He does more than enough to keep defenses from trying to load up on the perimeter.
Guard Elijah Hawkins is worth keeping an eye on. He blew up against BYU with 22 points, five assists and four rebounds. He’s become a more engaged offensive performer since Big 12 play began.
There’s a good chance that Iowa State’s undefeated run in the Big 12 ends on Saturday.
Texas Tech 72, Iowa State 71
ESPN Matchup Predictor: Iowa State (51.3% Chance of Winning)
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
