Sports Illustrated and The Athletic came out with their usual preseason rankings the day after the national championship. Obviously the portal will further determine any validity. SI has Tech at 14, and The Athletic at 12.
14. Texas Tech Red Raiders
The Red Raiders suffered Elite Eight heartbreak against Florida, but this is a program clearly on the rise under Grant McCasland. Two key draft decisions could shape the 2025–26 season, as swingman Darrion Williams and forward JT Toppin will have NBA options, but still have eligibility remaining. Williams is also entering the portal, but is leaving Texas Tech as an option. Whether or not they return, circle sophomore guard Christian Anderson as a potential rising star. He averaged nearly 12 points per game in February and March.
Notable returners: Eemeli Yalaho
Other newcomers: None
Head coach Grant McCasland has a lot of work to do in the portal, but if JT Toppin does return, he at least has an All-American to build around. Christian Anderson will take over at point guard and should turn into one of the top guards in the country. It’s not easy to crack the rotation as a freshman guard in college hoops, and it’s even harder to make 70 3s at a 38 percent clip as a freshman; Anderson did both with the coolness of a veteran.
Kevin Overton had some moments in the NCAA Tournament when you could see how he’ll become a consistent double-digit scorer once his confidence arrives. McCasland needs to grab a few shooters, but the main portal priority is finding another chess piece like Darrion Williams. His decision to transfer hurt. Make a few smart portal grabs, which Texas Tech has done as well as anyone, and McCasland will have himself another team that could go deep in the tournament.
Others of note in Athletic:
1. Purdue
3. Houston
6. BYU
11. Arizona
14. Iowa State
15. Kansas
SI:
1. Houston
6. Kansas
7. BYU
19. Arizona
21. Baylor
23. Iowa State
14. Texas Tech Red Raiders
The Red Raiders suffered Elite Eight heartbreak against Florida, but this is a program clearly on the rise under Grant McCasland. Two key draft decisions could shape the 2025–26 season, as swingman Darrion Williams and forward JT Toppin will have NBA options, but still have eligibility remaining. Williams is also entering the portal, but is leaving Texas Tech as an option. Whether or not they return, circle sophomore guard Christian Anderson as a potential rising star. He averaged nearly 12 points per game in February and March.
12. Texas Tech
Projected starters: Christian Anderson, Kevin Overton, Portal TBD, JT Toppin, Federiko FederikoNotable returners: Eemeli Yalaho
Other newcomers: None
Head coach Grant McCasland has a lot of work to do in the portal, but if JT Toppin does return, he at least has an All-American to build around. Christian Anderson will take over at point guard and should turn into one of the top guards in the country. It’s not easy to crack the rotation as a freshman guard in college hoops, and it’s even harder to make 70 3s at a 38 percent clip as a freshman; Anderson did both with the coolness of a veteran.
Kevin Overton had some moments in the NCAA Tournament when you could see how he’ll become a consistent double-digit scorer once his confidence arrives. McCasland needs to grab a few shooters, but the main portal priority is finding another chess piece like Darrion Williams. His decision to transfer hurt. Make a few smart portal grabs, which Texas Tech has done as well as anyone, and McCasland will have himself another team that could go deep in the tournament.
Others of note in Athletic:
1. Purdue
3. Houston
6. BYU
11. Arizona
14. Iowa State
15. Kansas
SI:
1. Houston
6. Kansas
7. BYU
19. Arizona
21. Baylor
23. Iowa State
