Illinois Faces Texas Tech in First Major Test

Illinois, 2-0 after decisive wins over Fairleigh Dickinson and Penn, is set for a tougher challenge against Texas Tech, also 2-0. The Tuesday game is scheduled for 7 p.m. Central time and will stream on Peacock.

The teams last met in a close game last season, when Illinois won 81-77. Texas Tech forward JT Toppin scored 35 points and collected 11 rebounds in that matchup, but he is out with a torn ACL.

Texas Tech opened this season with a 76-42 win over Jackson State, then had a closer contest against Bethune-Cookman. The Wildcats narrowed the gap to six points in the second half before Texas Tech pulled away. Coach Grant McCasland is in his fourth season leading the Red Raiders.

The Red Raiders’ backcourt includes former Illinois guard Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn, who averaged 20.7 points and made 101 three-pointers last season at UNLV, and senior Donovan Atwell, who hit a school-record 130 threes last season. Transfers Damarion Dennis and Cruz Davis also made early contributions; Dennis scored 22 points in the opener, while Davis recorded 15 points, dished out five assists and came away with six steals.

Texas Tech uses ball screens and a spread, five-out offense to create drives and open perimeter shots. Its defense applies pressure and rotates quickly, though its starting lineup is relatively small. Illinois will look to protect against drives and outside shooting while making use of its potential advantage inside and on the boards.