No. 11 BYU vs. No. 15 Texas Tech: Three Thoughts Entering Top-15 Clash
Jan 16, 2026, 7:40 PM
BYU basketball travels to Lubbock for a top-15 clash in Big 12 play against Texas Tech.
The Cougars have a pair of lengthy streaks entering this matchup against the Red Raiders. BYU is currently on a 13-game win streak this season, and they have also won 12 consecutive regular season Big 12 games, dating back to last year.
To add to the impressive streaks, BYU is an eye-popping 27-3 over its last 30 games. Despite the success, AP Top 25 pollsters have been unimpressed with BYU, dropping them two spots recently.
A win at one of the toughest road venues in the Big 12 should get everyone’s attention if BYU can pull it off.
Texas Tech will have a “red out” for the game while also honoring the 1995-96 Red Raider squad, which is the winningest in Tech’s history. Surprisingly, BYU played that team in Lubbock 30 years ago, but lost. The 2026 edition of BYU will look to get a victory in “The USA,” a.k.a. United Supermarkets Arena.
Tip-off for BYU at Texas Tech on Saturday, January 17, is at 6 p.m. (MST) on ESPN and KSL NewsRadio.
BYU vs. Texas Tech: Three Thoughts
Here are three thoughts entering the anticipated Big 12 matchup.
1. Start strong
In the last two Big 12 games, BYU has started slow. With a revved-up Texas Tech crowd expected on Saturday night, it will be important for BYU to withstand the Red Raiders’ early storm.
If BYU can reach the midway point of the first half with a lead, that would be big for Kevin Young’s squad, which has been excellent in second halves this season.
BYU’s defense has been underrated this season, and to open Big 12 play. The Cougars are third in the Big 12 in adjusted efficiency on the defensive end during conference action.
2. Star power everywhere you look
The BYU-Texas Tech matchup has some of the Big 12’s biggest stars on display. For BYU, AJ Dybantsa, Richie Saunders, and Rob Wright III. On the Texas Tech side, it’s reigning Big 12 Player of the Year JT Toppin and star guard Christian Anderson.
Dybantsa, Saunders, Toppin, and Anderson make up four of the top 10 scorers in the Big 12 this season.
3. Three-point shooting
During Big 12 play, Texas Tech is No. 1 in the league for three-point shooting at 39.4%. Through four conference games, BYU is shooting 31.7% from beyond the arc. Over the past two games, the Cougars have only knocked down 11 of 50 three-point attempts.
BYU guard Robert Wright III has been excellent from deep, knocking down 45.7% of his attempts. The X-factor from deep for BYU will always be Richie Saunders, who hit a clutch 3-pointer late in the win over TCU on Wednesday.
The reigning Big 12 Player of the Week is at 39.7% from three this season.
Texas Tech’s top three-point shooters include Anderson at 43.1%, and UNC Greensboro transfer Donovan Atwell at 41.9%.
No. 11 BYU vs. No. 15 Texas Tech
Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026
Location: United Supermarkets Arena (Lubbock, Texas)
TV: ESPN
Radio: KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM, 1160 AM)
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.
Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.
