Preview: BYU Cougars at Texas Tech Red Raiders

LUBBOCK, Texas (Interstat) — A showdown between two of the Big 12’s hottest teams unfolds Saturday when the second-ranked BYU Cougars visit the Texas Tech Red Raiders at United Spirit Arena.

BYU (15-1, 4-0 Big 12) brings a 10-game winning streak into Lubbock, its last loss coming in November. The Cougars are coming off a 76-70 home win over TCU on Wednesday, led by 25 points from freshman phenom AJ Dybantsa.

Dybantsa, a potential national player of the year candidate, has been spectacular, averaging 25.0 points over his last five games. He dropped 33 points and 10 assists in a late December rout of Eastern Washington.

Texas Tech (13-4, 3-1) has won three of its last four, including an impressive 88-74 victory over Utah on Wednesday. The Red Raiders are powered by sophomore forward JT Toppin, who is coming off a career-high 31 points, seven assists and five blocks against the Utes. Toppin averaged 21.4 points over his last five contests and posted a 23-point, 14-rebound double-double against Oklahoma State.

This matchup pits BYU’s high-octane offense, which has topped 100 points four times this season, against a Texas Tech defense that has held 10 opponents under 70 points. The Cougars lead the nation in scoring margin at plus-28.1 points per game.

The Red Raiders have proven formidable at home, with a notable nonconference win over then-Duke in December. Protecting their home court will be critical against a BYU team that is 3-0 in true road games.

Texas Tech will look to disrupt BYU’s rhythm and hand the Cougars their first conference loss. BYU aims to continue its dominant run and solidify its hold atop the Big 12 standings.

Saturday’s winner gains significant momentum in the conference race.