The Red Raiders split their games last week going 1-1. Since this is the Big 12, things don't get any easier this week and first up is #14 Iowa St. This is the second meeting this year between Texas Tech and Iowa St, the Cyclones won the first game 76-69. Will it be another close matchup, if so can Texas Tech pull off the upset at home?
Be sure to catch the game on ESPNU at 8:00 PM.
Iowa St Key Players
| Category | Stat | Name |
| Points/Game | 19.0 | F Georges Niang |
| Rebounds/Game | 9.0 | F Jameel McKay |
| Assist/Game | 7.1 | G Monte Morris |
| 3pt Made/3pt % | 58/131, 44.3% | G Matt Thomas |
| Free Throw % | 61/74, 82.4% | F Georges Niang |
The Cyclones' team leaders are all the same from the first matchup and the numbers are relatively the same. Matt Thomas has upped his 3-point percentage by a little over 2% from the first game so that will be something to keep an eye on. One big blow that Iowa St has suffered is the suspension of Jameel McKay. He's averaging 12.4 points and 9 rebounds a game. If the Red Raiders can get Niang in foul trouble like they did in the first game then the Cyclones will really be hurting down low.
Last 5 Games
| 1/23 TCU | W 73-60 |
| 1/25 #4 Kansas | W 85-72 |
| 1/30 #5 Texas A&M | L 72-62 |
| 2/2 #14 West Virginia | L 81-76 |
| 2/6 Oklahoma St | W 64-59 |
The first game between Texas Tech and Iowa St featured one team that was 11-1 and another that was 11-2. Looking back, it's crazy to think that at one point Texas Tech was 11-1. Since the first meeting a lot has changed. The Red Raiders have gone 2-8 and Iowa State has gone 6-4. While Iowa St's gone 6-4, some of those 6 wins have come against the top teams in the Big 12. If Texas Tech wants to win, they have to take advantage of McKay's absence.
Prediction
Texas Tech 69 - Iowa St 73
Although Iowa St will be without Jameel McKay, this is still an elite Cyclones team. At this point in the season they are still competing for a regular season Big 12 championship. Matthew Temple is expected to play against Iowa St after taking an elbow to the eye in Tech's last outing against Texas. If Temple and Ross can play well with McKay out and get Niang in foul trouble then Texas Tech can pull off the upset.
