Texas Tech is set to encounter its toughest home test of the season, while unbeaten DePaul is primed for its first road challenge when the teams meet Wednesday in Lubbock as part of the Big 12-Big East Battle.
DePaul is off its first 7-0 start since 1942 and entered Tuesday as one of 17 unbeaten teams in the country. But the Blue Demons have played all their games at home in Chicago, and Texas Tech is the first power-conference opponent they will encounter this season.
The environment figures to be much different in Lubbock, where the Red Raiders (6-1) have reeled off 35 wins in a row against nonconference opponents, including five this season by an average of 32 points.
Consider new DePaul coach Chris Holtmann ready for a bigger challenge.
“When I was watching (ESPN’s) Feast Week, I did say to myself, âWe need to get to those games quickly,'” Holtmann told the Chicago Sun-Times. “And we will. I want to be playing in those.”
DePaul is also a jump up in competition at home for Texas Tech. The Blue Demons have been red-hot from beyond the arc, hitting 12 or more 3-pointers four games in a row and ranking third nationally entering Tuesday with 12.7 per game.
Isaiah Rivera has been one of DePaul’s pacesetters with 19 3s and leads the team with 14.9 points per game. Jacob Meyer has also hit 19 from beyond the arc and is providing 14.7 points. Those two pace an offense generating 88 ppg after the Blue Demons hit rock bottom last season at 3-29.
“They are one of the most efficient teams in college basketball,” Texas Tech coach Grant McCasland said. “They move it as well as anyone. Their pace on the offensive end is really good with multiple guys who can shoot the ball. They don’t make a lot of mistakes.”
Which mirrors the way the Red Raiders have operated this season.
Texas Tech walloped Northern Colorado 89-64 last Friday with heavy damage done at the free-throw line, where the Red Raiders connected on 24 of 26 attempts. Darrion Williams delivered his best game of the season with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Kevin Overton notched a season-best 20 points.
Scoring hasn’t been a problem for Texas Tech, especially at home where it averages 92.6 points per game. Overall, the Red Raiders are churning out 88.4 points.
“Guys have shared the ball effectively, and we’re creating good looks with what we do on offense,” McCasland said.
