Arizona State vs Texas Tech Prediction and Preview

Read more for a full Arizona State vs Texas Tech prediction and preview.

Arizona State looks to stop a three-game losing skid against No. 12 Texas Tech. It will be the 42nd all-time meeting between the two sides, with the Red Raiders leading the all-time series 22-19. However, the Sun Devils won the last contest 76-62 on Dec. 21, 2013.

General Information

Teams: Arizona State (12-11, 3-9) and Texas Tech (18-5, 9-3)

Tip Time: 9 p.m. EST

Watch: CBS Sports Network

Listen: Arizona Sports 98.7 FM (KMVP)

Latest on Texas Tech basketball:

The Red Raiders have excelled in their 100th season, with only three conference losses on the season, all of them by single digits. One of those came to then-No. 20 Arizona 82-73. It stopped what was a seven-game win streak. Nonetheless, Arizona is one of two teams ahead of them in the Big 12 standings. The other being No. 6 Houston, who they beat 82-81 in overtime.

Our team has really improve in the physicality areas of defense and rebounding, and I feel like our team got better,” Texas Tech head coach Grant McCasland told reporters after the game. “But tonight, it was obvious that (Arizona head coach) Tommy (Lloyd) did an awesome job.”

Four of McCasland’s players reached double figures against the Wildcats, with sophomore forward JT Toppin leading the way with 21 points. Toppin, and super-senior guard Chance McMillian, both average 15.2 points per game for McCasland’s side. But McMillian is the team’s leading scorer, playing four more games than Toppin. McMillian was held to eight points on Saturday night.

Freshman guard Christian Anderson has provided a spark off the bench for the Red Raiders throughout the season, with nine games reaching double figures. He scored 17 points against Arizona. Junior forward Darrion Williams and senior guard Elijah Hawkins put up 17 points and 10 points respectfully.

Texas Tech has been one of the best all-around teams in the Big 12. It is the only team to have an offense and defense that are both top five in the conference. It also has the 11th best offensive rating in the nation, according to KenPom.

Latest on Arizona State basketball:

The Sun Devils continue to struggle in Big 12 play, as seen on Sunday afternoon with an 86-73 road loss to Oklahoma State. They were playing without two starters–redshirt senior guard Adam Miller and senior guard/forward BJ Freeman–who were both out with disciplinary issues.

Freshman forward Jayden Quaintance exited the game after nine minutes on the court with an ankle injury. He was veered in front by Oklahoma State’s sophomore guard Jamyron Keller. It was the same ankle that kept him sidelined for the Jan. 28 contest at Colorado.

Quaintance’s father, Haminn, called the play “dirty s***” in a post on X after the game, saying that “(if) one of our player did this they would be ejected.”

The Maroon and Gold relied on senior guard Alston Mason to generate offensive production. The former Oklahoma Sooner scored 25 points, albeit on 20 shot attempts. He also went 7-for-7 from the line. Freshman guard Joson Sanon had his first start since Nov. 10 against Gonzaga, scoring 17 points off 20 shot attempts. He went 5-for-6 on his free-throw attempts.

Wednesday night will be another chance for Arizona State to improve what is already a narrow chance to getting into the NCAA tournament. Its chances grow with what would be a Quad 1 win on Wednesday night. It has two Quad 1 wins this season: Nov. 29 against Saint Mary’s and Jan. 21 at West Virginia. According to ESPN’s Joe Lunardi, eight teams from the Big 12 are projected to make the tournament.

Arizona State vs Texas Tech Prediction: Red Raiders by 8 (84-76)

While the Sun Devils will have Freeman and Miller back in the lineup, they might struggle against a high-flying Red Raider offense. Bobby Hurley’s side has struggled to find a rhythm on the road, especially early in games, and that could happen in what should be an electric crowd in Lubbock. The visitors should find some production in the second half though.