The Utah Utes and Texas Tech Red Raiders tip-off tonight at 6:00 PM CST. Texas Tech started the season off right with a win last week. Many people look at the 77-73 win against High Point and sort of laugh. The average fan might not know this, but High Point was picked to win the Big South this season and they're a good basketball program. Any time the Red Raiders can beat a conference favorite I'll take it. Now Utah is a little different. They made a run last year to the Sweet 16 and many people still have high expectations for the #16 ranked team in the nation. Even if Texas Tech doesn't do too hot in this early season tournament, they'll at least get some exposure on the national level.
Utah Key Players
| Category | Stat | Name |
| Points/Game | 22.5 | F Jordan Loveridge |
| Rebounds/Game | 11.5 | F Jakob Poeltl |
| Assist/Game | 3.5 | G Brandon Taylor |
| 3pt Made/3pt % | 10/19, 52.6% | F Jordan Loveridge |
| Free Throw % | 9/11, 81.8% | F Jordan Loveridge |
Forward Jordan Loveridge is leading the way for Utah's offense. He put up 24 points along with 4 rebounds in the Utes last game against San Diego State which is a pretty good basketball team themselves. Forward Jakob Poeltl is averaging a double-double a game so far this year through two games. The sophomore is averaging 20.5 points a game and 11.5 rebounds. Poeltl also leads the team in blocks per game with 2.5 per contest. Look for both Loveridge and Poeltl to have a big impact against the Red Raiders.
Last 5 Games
| 3/19 Stephen F. Austin (Round of 68) | W 57-50 |
| 3/21 Georgetown (Round of 32) | W 75-64 |
| 3/27 Duke (Sweet 16) | L 63-57 |
| 11/13 Southern Utah | W 82-71 |
| 11/16 San Diego State | W 81-76 |
Utah ended its 2014/2015 season by losing to eventual 2015 National Champion Duke in the Sweet 16. So far the Utes have picked up two wins in their first two game and one of those wins came against a good team in San Diego State. The hopes are high in Salt Lake City but the Red Raiders look to play spoiler and beef up their early-season resume.
Prediction
Texas Tech 62 - Utah 75
Utah is a good team and I believe they prove that against Texas Tech. I'm thinking the Utes will probably hold a 7-8 point lead at half and initially build that lead up even higher in the second half before the Red Raiders get some of those points back but eventually still lose by double digits. Utah is just a better team, but if the Red Raiders pull off the win then there will be excitement in Lubbock for this year's team.
Texas Tech will face either Miami or Mississippi State on Friday 11/20.
