Texas Tech Red Raiders vs TCU Horned Frogs

#23 Texas Tech Red Raiders (8-0) v Texas Christian Horned Frogs (5-3)

TUESDAY DECEMBER 8, 2009

#23 Texas Tech Red Raiders (8-0) v Texas Christian Horned Frogs (5-3)

The No. 23 Texas Tech Red Raiders will face off against the Horned Frogs of Texas Christian on Tuesday at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum.

These two teams last met on January 5, 2009. The Raiders lost 85-80. Texas Tech has won four of the last six, dating back to 2003.

This is Texas Tech’s first appearance in the poll since the final Top 25 of 2004-05. Texas Tech has played a soft schedule getting off to a 7-0 start and then improving to 8-0 with a 99-92 win overtime against the No. 12 Washington Huskies last week. Texas Tech, which had five players in double figures, outscored the Huskies 19-12 in overtime to secure the victory. Junior guard John Roberson posted a season high 25 points in the win. Roberson is averaging 12 points per game. Forward Mike Singletary leads the team with 111 points in eight appearances. The Red Raiders are averaging 78.1 points per game and allowing 62.9 as a team.

TCU is coming off a hard fought 60-53 victory over the SMU Mustangs in their last outing. Edvinas Ruzgas led the team with 22 points in the win. Senior post player Zvonko Buljan (nine rebounds) and much-improved sophomore guard Ronnie Moss, TCU’s leading scorer at 18.5 points per game, each added 14 points for the Horned Frogs. TCU has improved their shooting—they are averaging 8.9 3-point baskets through eight games—and are playing solid defense.

The odds makers currently have the Red Raiders as–2 -point favorites.

I like Texas Tech in this match up. Beating 12^th ranked Washington has peaked my interest in seeing what this team can do down the stretch. The Horned Frogs are yet to face a ranked team and all three of their losses have come from teams with an RPI of less than 190. Texas Tech is 13.

Matt Martz is a sports writer for the Bakersfield Californian located in Central California. Blessed is the gambler who expects nothing, for ye shall not be disappointed.