The Texas Tech men’s basketball team gets set to take on the Texas A&M Aggies in Fort Worth, Texas, on Sunday, December 8th, 2024.
Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. central. Texas Tech is unranked. Texas A&M is No. 22. The contest is the second game of a men’s doubleheader at Dickies Arena, with TCU facing Vanderbilt in the first game.
The Red Raiders (7-1) have already beaten two high-major teams this year, Syracuse and DePaul. But, curiously, Texas Tech’s only loss came against Saint Joseph’s during their trip to New York last month for a four-team multi-team event.
Texas A&M (7-2) has absorbed a loss from a Big 12 team already this season, falling to UCF on opening night. The Aggies have also lost to Oregon. But the Aggies have four high-major wins, including one over Creighton, which beat Kansas earlier this week.
Here is a preview of this former Southwest Conference/Big 12 rivalry.
How to Watch Texas Tech vs. Texas A&M
Date: Sunday, December 8th, 2024
Time: 2 p.m. CT
TV Channel: ESPN2
Texas Tech vs. Texas A&M Betting Odds, Lines
Opening Line: Texas Tech -1.5
Current Line: Texas Tech -2
Over/Under: 142
Texas Tech vs. Texas A&M Predictions
Texas Tech’s Devan Cambridge is seeking a medical redshirt and is no longer with the program, the school announced earlier this week. The former Arizona State transfer was injured most of his two seasons with the Red Raiders.
Forward JT Toppin has been impressive so far this season. He’s one of the few players in the nation averaging a double-double (18.6 points, 11.0 rebounds). Between forward Darrion Williams, guard Chance McMillian and guard Kevin Overton, the trio is averaging 42 points. Tech’s 3-point shooting as a team is the best it has been in years, as the Red Raiders are at 40% going into the contest.
Texas A&M has played an incredibly rigorous schedule and the record is a reflection of the Aggies as SEC contenders. Guard Wade Taylor IV (15.8 ppg), guard Zhuric Phelps (13.1 ppg) and forward Henry Coleman III (11.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg) give the Aggies a great offensive trio.
Texas A&M is not a good 3-point shooting team (29.1%) but it has a rebounding edge inside with Coleman, Andersson Garcia and Solomon Washington.
Expect Tech’s 3-point shooting to offset the Aggies’ advantage in the paint.
Texas Tech 81, Texas A&M 76
ESPN Matchup Predictor: Texas Tech (54.9% Chance of Winning)
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
