No. 16 Texas Tech Faces Rematch with Surging Colorado

Red Raiders look to avoid letdown against Buffaloes after narrow win last month

Feb. 11, 2026 at 12:47am

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No. 16 Texas Tech hosts Colorado on Wednesday night, seeking to maintain its position in the Big 12 Conference standings. The teams met last month, with Texas Tech holding off a furious Colorado comeback to win 73-71. The Buffaloes have since won two of their last three games and will look to avenge the earlier loss, while the Red Raiders aim to build on a bounce-back win over West Virginia.

Why it matters

This game is crucial for both teams as they jockey for position in the competitive Big 12. Texas Tech is looking to stay in the hunt for a top-four finish, while Colorado is trying to regain its early-season form after a six-game losing streak. The rematch also provides an opportunity for the Buffaloes to prove they can finish the job against a ranked opponent after nearly erasing a large deficit in the first meeting.

The details

Texas Tech's success has been fueled by its 3-point shooting and stifling defense, while Colorado has found success by taking care of the ball and dominating the boards. The Red Raiders' top scorers, J.T. Toppin and Christian Anderson, will be key, as will Colorado freshman Isaiah Johnson, who struggled early but sparked the Buffaloes' second-half comeback in the first matchup.

  • The teams first met on January 10 in Colorado, with Texas Tech holding on for a 73-71 victory.
  • Texas Tech is coming off a 70-63 win over West Virginia on Sunday.

The players

J.T. Toppin

Texas Tech's leading scorer, averaging 21.8 points and a conference-best 10.5 rebounds per game.

Christian Anderson

Texas Tech's second-leading scorer, averaging 19.3 points and a Big 12-best 7.7 assists per game.

Isaiah Johnson

Colorado's leading scorer, averaging 16.3 points per game.

Tad Boyle

Colorado's longtime head coach.

Grant McCasland

Texas Tech's head coach.

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What they’re saying

“We're focused on what Colorado has done to get better since we played them because they almost came back and got us on a day when we played well most of the game. They've played really well offensively and have a lot of different players who can make you pay if you're not locked in defensively.”

— Grant McCasland, Texas Tech Head Coach

“We did some good things because we had a really good practice the day before. These are the dog days of February for college basketball players. Guys get tired of practicing, but what young guys have to understand is that practice does matter and we play better and are a different team when we practice well.”

— Tad Boyle, Colorado Head Coach

What’s next

The winner of this game will take a step closer to securing a higher seed in the Big 12 tournament, while the loser will need to regroup and try to make a late-season push.

The takeaway

This rematch between Texas Tech and Colorado promises to be another closely contested battle, as both teams look to gain an edge in the competitive Big 12 conference race. The Red Raiders' 3-point shooting and defensive intensity will be tested by the Buffaloes' improved play, setting the stage for another down-to-the-wire finish.