Texas Tech Plays Host to Undefeated Iowa State in Their First Big 12 Game of the Season

Tubby Smith and the Texas Tech Red Raiders have finally reached the part of the season that really matters, Big 12 play.  The Red Raiders finished the non-conference schedule with a 8-5 record, but their opponent on Saturday afternoon has had even more success thus far.  The Iowa State Cyclones come into their Big 12 opener boasting a 12-0 record and a #13 national ranking.

The Cyclones are led by Melvin Ejim, who is averaging 17.9 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. Some of the other key contributors for ISU are Georges Niang (15.8 ppg), DeAndre Kane (15.0 ppg) and Dustin Hogue (13.3 ppg).  For the Red Raiders, Jaye Crockett has been the leader as he leads the team with 13.6 points per game and has scored in double figures in 11 of 13 games this year.

Now Texas Tech pulled off a big upset in Lubbock last season as they knocked off Iowa State by a final score of 56-51.  It marked the sixth time in seven tries that the Red Raiders have topped the Cyclones in Lubbock.  The Cyclones returned the favor later in the year though as they took down Texas Tech 86-66 up in Ames, Iowa. Tip off for Saturday's Big 12 opener is set for 12:47pm from the United Spirit Arena in Lubbock.