The No. 16 Texas Tech Red Raiders continue to defy expectations, securing their second consecutive victory without star player JT Toppin. Under head coach Grant McCasland, Texas Tech defeated the Cincinnati Bearcats 80-68, demonstrating their resilience despite losing their leading scorer and rebounder to a season-ending ACL injury. The Red Raiders have now won both games since Toppin’s absence, including a dominant 28-point victory over Kansas State.
The victory against Cincinnati showcased the depth and adaptability of the Texas Tech basketball program. Several impressive statistical performances highlighted how the Red Raiders managed to overcome the loss of their top player and maintain their position in the competitive Big 12 conference standings.
Texas Tech Red Raiders Dominate Rebounding Battle
The Red Raiders demonstrated remarkable control on the boards, outrebounding Cincinnati by an impressive 16-rebound margin. Texas Tech secured 40 total rebounds while limiting the Bearcats to just 24, according to game statistics. This dominance came despite missing Toppin, who averaged 10.8 rebounds per game before his injury.
Additionally, this rebounding performance was particularly noteworthy given Cincinnati’s recent success. The Bearcats had just secured a dominant road victory over the Kansas Jayhawks in their previous contest, making Texas Tech’s physical dominance even more significant.
Historic Three-Point Shooting Performance
Donovan Atwell and Christian Anderson are rewriting the Texas Tech record books with their exceptional shooting from beyond the arc. Atwell recently broke the single-season record for most three-pointers made by a Red Raider, reaching 100 in the previous game. He has now extended that mark to 104 with additional games still remaining on the schedule.
Meanwhile, Anderson has matched the previous benchmark of 94 three-pointers set by Cory Carr nearly three decades ago. The Texas Tech basketball program is on the verge of having two players surpass a record that has stood for approximately 30 years in the same season, demonstrating the evolution of the modern game and the Red Raiders’ exceptional perimeter shooting.
Second-Chance Points Fuel Victory
The Red Raiders’ rebounding superiority translated directly into scoring opportunities throughout the contest. Texas Tech accumulated 19 second-chance points compared to Cincinnati’s eight, capitalizing on their presence on the glass. This 11-point advantage in second-chance scoring proved crucial in the 12-point victory.
However, the key to this success was Texas Tech’s ability to secure 12 offensive rebounds and convert those opportunities into points. This aggressive approach on the offensive glass compensated for Toppin’s absence and provided additional possessions that proved decisive against the Bearcats.
Continued Success Without Star Player
The statistical dominance displayed by the Texas Tech Red Raiders in multiple facets of the game demonstrates the program’s depth under McCasland’s leadership. In contrast to concerns about how the team would perform without Toppin, the Red Raiders have shown they can compete at a high level through balanced contributions and team-oriented play.
The Red Raiders will look to continue their momentum as they navigate the remainder of the Big 12 conference schedule. Whether this level of performance can be sustained against top-tier conference opponents remains to be seen, but the early returns without Toppin have exceeded expectations.
