Texas Tech Basketball Non-Conference Game-by-Game Predictions

Texas Tech may have one of the most difficult non-conference basketball schedules, as they may play six Power Four conference teams in non-conference play.

The Red Raiders' non-conference schedule, in terms of it being one of the toughest in the nation, ranks anywhere from No. 14 to within the top 50. It will end up being ranked even higher if they play Purdue in the Baha Mar Hoops Championship game against Purdue.

There is a likely scenario that Texas Tech defeats Wake Forest and Purdue beats Memphis and the Red Raiders play the Boilermakers in the championship game. However, if an upset occurs, then this dream non-conference matchup does not occur.

They have played each other three times, with Purdue having the 2-1 series lead going back to when they played one another back-to-back in 87-88. The last time these two teams played against one another was in the 2018 NCAA Tournament when Texas Tech defeated the No. 2 seed Boilermakers in the Sweet 16. Purdue is the No. 1-ranked preseason team in both AP Polls, but the Red Raiders will do their best to pull off the minor upset.

Game Prediction: Texas Tech 79, Purdue 84

This may be one of the easiest games in non-conference play, as the New Orleans Privateers are coming off a season that only produced four wins. However, the last time these two teams played one another, New Orleans pulled off the upset and won by two points in a low-scoring game back in 1988. A lot has changed for both basketball programs since then, and now the Red Raiders are a much better basketball program. This game will also be played on the day before Thanksgiving, and it will be played earlier in the day, which is not typical of a Wednesday game. The Red Raiders should be able to utilize their bench effectively in this game and secure an easy victory.

Game Prediction: Texas Tech 95, New Orleans 59

These two teams played each other in basketball last season, and Texas Tech dominated the Cowboys by defeating them by a final score of 96-49. The overall series is tied at six games apiece, with the Red Raiders winning three of the last four games against the Cowboys. Wyoming is predicted to finish in the bottom third of the Mountain West standings this season, and the Red Raiders should not have too much difficulty winning this game by a comfortable margin.

Game Prediction: Texas Tech 92, Wyoming 67

Texas Tech leads the all-time series against LSU by a 6-3 margin heading into this game, which is part of the Coast-to-Coast Challenge. TCU will play North Texas in the other game of the doubleheader, but the Red Raiders vs. the Tigers will be the premier game of the two. The majority of the games between these two basketball teams have been played on neutral courts or as part of the Big 12/SEC Challenge. For example, LSU is ranked seven spots below Wake Forest at No. 56 in the KenPom preseason rankings. Texas Tech should win this game, but it is unlikely to be a blowout win for the Red Raiders.

Game Prediction: Texas Tech 79, LSU 69

Here are Texas Tech's last four non-conference games before Big 12 conference play.

The Texas Tech Red Raiders' and Arkansas Razorbacks' basketball history dates back to their days when both teams were members of the Southwest Conference (SWC) and has been revived in recent years through neutral site games and the NCAA Tournament. Texas Tech enters this game with a tiny advantage in the all-time series, which is incredibly close at 41-39.

The two colleges were Southwest Conference rivals for more than 30 years, which resulted in numerous yearly contests and the majority of the more than 80 games played. The rivalry essentially died when Arkansas switched from the SWC to the SEC in 1991, and the teams didn't play together until recently. Last season in the NCAA Tournament, the Red Raiders defeated the Razorbacks in overtime by a score of 85-83 to advance to the Elite Eight.

This game will be played as part of the Revocruit Rematch at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Arkansas is ranked No. 14, and Texas Tech is ranked No. 10, so this should be another exciting game between these two basketball programs.

Game Prediction: Texas Tech 81, Arkansas 80

Texas Tech holds the all-time series lead with an undefeated 5-0 record against Northern Colorado. The series began between these two basketball programs in 1971, with Texas Tech winning, 80-56.

These two teams have played only a few times in the modern era, as non-conference home games for Texas Tech. They last played last season when Texas Tech defeated Northern Colorado, 89-64, in Lubbock. The Bears are coming off a 25-10 season where they were co-regular season champions of the Big Sky conference and played in the NIT.

This game may not be a 25-point victory like last year but expect the Red Raiders to win this game by double digits again.

Game Prediction: Texas Tech 88, Northern Colorado 70

The Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Duke Blue Devils will face off against each other in a non-conference game at New York City's storied Madison Square Garden. This game, which is a part of the SentinelOne Classic, is expected to be among the best college basketball games of the early season.

Having advanced to the Elite Eight last season, the Red Raiders have established themselves as a consistent competitor from the Big 12 conference and are renowned for their strong, physical defense, which they intend to continue for this season. After an outstanding 2024–2025 season that saw them make it to the Final Four, the Blue Devils are one of collegiate basketball's blue bloods. They are anticipated to be among the favorites for the national championship and they continued to bring in highly talented freshmen for this season.

In their last MSG game, which took place in 2018, Duke prevailed 69-58 and leads the series 2-0. Duke defeated Texas Tech 78-73 in the 2022 Sweet Sixteen in San Francisco, making that game their most recent matchup.

This is a crucial indicator for both teams' national ranking and tournament placement because it will be one of their last big non-conference tests before they dive into the demanding Big 12 and ACC schedules. Two of the top basketball programs in the country are anticipated to compete aggressively in this game, and the Red Raiders will be looking to win this one.

Game Prediction: Texas Tech 73, Duke 77

The Red Raiders' daunting non-conference schedule, which includes games against Duke, Arkansas, and a tournament bracket featuring teams like Purdue/Memphis, concludes with a home game against the Winthrop Eagles from the Big South Conference.

It's a time to refocus and execute a win for the final non-conference game before the Big 12 grind starts. Texas Tech's main objective is to prevent a late-December letdown and run their system flawlessly. Additionally, this game may be a chance to provide important bench players with crucial playing time, strengthening the rotation ahead of conference play.

Game Prediction: Texas Tech 92, Winthrop 61

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