No. 17 Texas Tech Defeats Jackson State 76-42 in Season Opener

The preseason No. 17-ranked Texas Tech men's basketball team tipped off the 2026-27 season on Monday night with a convincing 76-42 victory over Jackson State at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock. Playing in front of their home crowd, the Red Raiders controlled the matchup from the start to secure a strong opening win.

Head coach Grant McCasland, entering his fourth season at the helm of the program, improved his record in season openers to a perfect 4-0. The victory also extended Texas Tech's impressive home winning streak in non-conference games to 47 games.

Entering the season, the Red Raiders' roster underwent considerable transformation. McCasland integrated several new faces through the transfer portal, including Wyoming transfer Damarion Dennis, who shared team-scoring honors with fifth-year returner Donovan Atwell during the team's lone exhibition game against Kentucky. The squad is currently navigating the absence of All-American forward JT Toppin, who continues to recover from a torn ACL sustained last season.

Reflecting on the roster composition ahead of the opener, McCasland highlighted the team's depth and resilience. "We needed to find a competitive group that also enjoys playing basketball and is resilient," McCasland said. "That was our focus in this. We have great scoring, size, versatility, experience – all the ingredients that you need."

Prior to opening night, college basketball analysts officially inserted Texas Tech into the Top 25 And 1 rankings at No. 17. The placement came after an unusual offseason marked by various roster adjustments and legal proceedings across the sport, though experts factored in the eventual full strength of the roster, including Toppin's anticipated return.

Jackson State, representing the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), entered the contest looking to bounce back following a 12-21 campaign last season. The Tigers struggled to find an offensive rhythm against Texas Tech's defensive pressure, falling to 0-3 all-time against the Red Raiders in a series that last saw a 102-52 victory for Texas Tech in 2022.

Following Monday's opener, the Red Raiders will look to maintain their momentum. Texas Tech is scheduled to return to action at home on Thursday night to host Bethune-Cookman, ahead of stiffer non-conference challenges awaiting them later in the schedule.