Arizona basketball begins its second road trip of the inaugural season at Texas Tech, looking to improve to 3-0 on the road and 6-0 in conference play. Read more for a full Arizona vs Texas Tech prediction and preview.
Arizona (11-5, 5-0) has turned into a team to watch in the Big 12 conference. Arizona is on a 7 game win streak; including huge wins against West Virginia, UCF and most recently No. 25 Baylor. Arizona has made this conference look like an easy ride but Texas Tech has shown some grit against tough opponents this season; including their 1-point loss to No. 2 Iowa State on Saturday.
General Information:
Teams: Arizona (11-5, 5-0) and Texas Tech (12-4, 3-2)
Tip-off: 12 p.m. MST
Watch: ESPN
Latest on Texas Tech Basketball:
Texas Tech has been turning heads even through losses. The team’s grit has stood out to many including Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd.
On Saturday the Red Raiders battled hard against a conference favorite Iowa State but lost in overtime 85-84. This goes to show Texas Tech does not believe in home-court advantage; 3 away wins and 2 home losses.
Although Texas Tech struggles to find advantage at its home court the team has three players averaging 15 points per game compared to Arizona’s one player, Caleb Love. Against Iowa State, JT Toppin, Chance McMillian and Christian Anderson for Texas Tech all contributed 18 points. Arizona will have to show a team effort against an all around strong team like Texas Tech.
Latest on Arizona Basketball:
The Wildcats are having an admirable start to the Big 12 season with a 7 game win streak. Most recently Arizona won big against a ranked Baylor team. Arizona led by 23 points at half time against Baylor but came out with an 11 point win after Baylor fought back in the second half. Arizona is currently tied for No. 1 in the Big 12 next to Iowa State and Houston.
Caleb Love has been on fire and is the highest scorer on this Wildcats team thus far but Arizona showed an incredible team effort against Baylor on Tuesday. Arizona’s Henri Veesaar led the team with 19 points and 7 rebounds against Baylor while KJ Lewis led with 7 assists.
Arizona’s depth on and off the bench will continue to develop, the entire team has to show up like it did against Baylor to keep their win streak against a gritty Texas Tech team.
Arizona vs Texas Tech prediction: Wildcats by 10 (74-64)
With the at home disadvantage and an incredible, fiery Arizona team I think Texas Tech is in for a rough game against the Wildcats. I predict this game to be a physical effort from both sides. Arizona is a historically physical team and Texas Tech seems to have the grit to match the energy of any opponent this season. If Texas Tech has a game like they did against Iowa State we may see a different outcome than I am predicting but if Arizona can maintain their fire I don’t think anyone can stop them. The Wildcats will go into the half with a large lead but will let Texas Tech come back in the second half before they run with the win making it 74-64.