Oklahoma State @ Texas Tech preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 27, 2019 ) Oklahoma State 80, Texas Tech 84

Texas Tech won a share of the Big 12 regular-season crown for the first time in its history last season, and the 22nd-ranked Red Raiders hope to start the 2019-20 conference slate on the right foot when they host Oklahoma State on Saturday. The Red Raiders finished 14-4 in conference play in 2018-19 before their charge to the national title game.

They have rebounded nicely from a three-game losing streak midway through non-conference play by winning four straight, including the notable 13-point triumph over then-No. 1 Louisville on Dec. 10. "We work so hard to build this program to the point where people can be proud of it and we can be consistent," Texas Tech coach Chris Beard told reporters after Sunday's 73-58 win over Cal State Bakersfield. "Not sure we're there yet, but we're getting close." The Cowboys also endured an up-and-down non-conference run before routing Southeast Louisiana 82-31 on Sunday. Leading scorer Isaac Likekele (13.1) returned after missing the previous four games with an illness, during which Oklahoma State was 1-3.

TIME: Noon ET. TV: ESPN2

ABOUT OKLAHOMA STATE (9-3): Likekele was 4-of-5 from the floor and recorded a team-high four assists in 20 minutes Sunday, and he also leads the team in assists (4.9) along with steals (2.6). "I was really excited just to be back out there," he told reporters. "It's been rough just watching, just because I want to be out there and want to be able to help my team, but it's also been beneficial. I got to see things from a different point of view." Senior guard Thomas Dziagwa led the way with 14 points and he has a team-leading 30 3-pointers on the season.

ABOUT TEXAS TECH (9-3): Freshman guard Jahmi'us Ramsey scored 20 points in Sunday's win in his second game back after missing four in a row. He tops the team in scoring at 17.4 points per game and senior guard Davide Moretti is second at 13.2 after being held to six versus the Roadrunners. Sophomore guard Kyler Edwards scored a career-high 20 points Sunday while senior guard Chris Clarke continued to stuff the stat sheet with nine points, nine assists and seven rebounds off the bench.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Clarke leads the Red Raiders in rebounding (8.8) and assists (5.8).

2. Cowboys senior G Jonathan Laurent notched season highs with 11 points and six rebounds against Southeast Louisiana.

3. Texas Tech won both meetings last season.

PREDICTION: Texas Tech 74, Oklahoma State 69