The Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Arizona Wildcats continue Big 12 Conference men’s basketball action on Friday, March 14th, 2025, in Kansas City for the Big 12 Tournament.
Tip-off is set for 8:30 p.m. central on ESPN and ESPN+. Texas Tech (25-7) is the No. 2 seed and the No. 9 in the country, while Arizona (21-11) is the No. 3 seed unranked.
Friday’s game between Texas Tech and Arizona wraps up semifinal action in the Big 12 Tournament, where the winner will play in the championship game on Saturday. The loser heads home.
Texas Tech enters the semifinal coming off a 76-74 win over Baylor, while Arizona defeated Kansas, 88-77.
Here is a preview of the game.
How to Watch Texas Tech vs. Arizona
Date: Friday, March 14, 2025
Time: 8:30 p.m. CT
TV Channel: ESPN/ESPN+
Site: T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, Missouri
Texas Tech vs. Arizona Betting Odds, Lines
Opening Line: Texas Tech -2
Current Line: Texas Tech -1.5
Over/Under: 152 (opened 153.5)
Texas Tech vs. Arizona Predictions
Texas Tech had a feverish first half against Baylor, firing away from the 3-point line with such accuracy that Baylor had to alter its plan. A move to their “amoeba” zone helped significantly in the second half, and the Bears even geared it to meet Red Raider players where they were. But it was their play on the defensive glass that Bears coach Scott Drew praised after the game, saying the Red Raiders robbed them of second chances late in the game.
Forward JT Toppin had another double-double with 26 points and 10 rebounds. The Big 12 player of the year may be as locked in as any player in the country. But he wasn’t the only Red Raider with a double-double on Thursday, as guard Elijah Hawkins had 12 points and 11 assists.
Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd called the Red Raiders one of the most disciplined teams he’s ever seen. He expects them to be locked in again. At least the Wildcats don’t haven an amoeba zone to frustrate the Red Raiders.
Arizona’s win over Kansas followed a similar script — The Wildcats started the game red-hot from the floor and the 3-point line and had to hold off a desperate Kansas team.
Lloyd paired forward Trey Townsend with center Henri Veesaar and it paid off as the pair combined for 35 points. Veesaar moved back to the bench, and it was effective. But it remains to be seen if the Wildcats will stick with that combo. Arizona may be better served pairing Tobe Awaka with Townsend given the Red Raiders’ athletic front line.
This will be their third meeting. The Red Raiders won the first in Lubbock, 70-54. The Wildcats won the second, 82-73, in Tucson. The assumption is this one will be right down to the wire.
One player to watch — Texas Tech’s Chance McMillian. He played 13 minutes against Baylor, didn’t score and coach Grant McCasland appears to be prioritizing getting him healthy for the NCAA Tournament. The Red Raiders survived without him on Thursday. Can they do so again on Friday?
Arizona 85, Texas Tech 83
ESPN Matchup Predictor: Texas Tech (52.1% Chance to Win)
Odds Shark: Arizona 75.2, Texas Tech 74.6
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
