Tennessee St. @ Texas Tech preview

Texas Tech returned only three players from its 2019 NCAA Tournament runner-up team but the No. 12 Red Raiders hardly lack cohesion as they host Tennessee State on Thursday. Texas Tech freshman guard Jahmi'us Ramsey, a Big 12 preseason honorable mention pick, has quickly validated that honor with 57 points in his first three games after scoring 25 in a 103-74 victory over Houston Baptist on Nov. 13.

"My teammates are doing a great job of getting me the ball in scoring position," Ramsey, who has 19 rebounds, told reporters. "I believe the chemistry is really high right now. ... Everybody connects on and off the floor. It's a great start." The Red Raiders rode a stingy defense to the national championship game last season but the offense has joined the party in 2019-20 as they were 14th nationally entering Wednesday at 89 points per game and sixth in field-goal percentage (54.3). The Tigers have won two straight after a 99-65 victory over NAIA member Fisk on Monday and turn their attention toward the only game on their schedule against a major conference team. Tennessee State boasts four players averaging double-figure points with sophomore guard Carlos Marshall Jr. (14.8 per game) leading the way.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN

ABOUT TENNESSEE STATE (3-1): Senior guard Wesley Harris (12 points, five rebounds per game) is shooting 55.9 percent from the field and is 6-for-14 from 3-point range after scoring 15 with 6-for-10 shooting Monday. Senior forward Jy'Lan Washington averages 11 points and 6.8 rebounds while shooting 70.8 percent from the floor and making 3-of-7 from beyond the arc. Senior guard Michael Littlejohn (11.8 points, 50 percent FGs, 11-for-26 from deep) has a team-most 14 assists.

ABOUT TEXAS TECH (3-0): Senior forward TJ Holyfield, who sat out last season after transferring from Stephen F. Austin, is 24-for-29 from the field and averages 18.7 points. Junior guard Davide Moretti - the only returning starter - contributes 12.7 points and 4.7 assists, and is 12-for-20 from the floor. Senior guard Chris Clarke, the Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year after transferring from Virginia Tech, was 10th nationally at 7.3 assists and shares the team lead in rebounding with Ramsey.

TIP-INS

1. Ramsey is shooting 55 percent from the field, including 7-for-13 from 3-point range, and averages 2.3 steals.

2. The Red Raiders have won 49 straight non-conference home games.

3. Texas Tech's plus-14.3 rebounding margin was 10th in the country.

PREDICTION: Texas Tech 89, Tennessee State 69