texas tech basketball: Red Raiders head to Tempe as Arizona State reveals starting five
TEMPE — The No. 13 Texas Tech Red Raiders (19-6, 9-3 Big 12) travel to Desert Financial Arena to face the Arizona State Sun Devils (13-12, 4-8) on Tuesday at 11 p. m. ET. Arizona State finalized its starting five ahead of the contest while dealing with a slimmer rotation following a key availability concern. Texas Tech arrives off a signature overtime road win over a top-ranked conference foe and a three-game winning streak.
Arizona State sets lineup, adjusts to compressed rotation
Arizona State's coach confirmed the Sun Devils will open with a lineup that leans on veteran leadership and recent form. Senior guard Marcus Odum is the engine for this team, leading in points, assists and steals and having appeared in every game this season. His consistency will be critical against a physical, disciplined Texas Tech defense.
With Bryce Ford listed as unlikely to play, the rotation tightens, elevating opportunities for several role players. Joey Meeusen draws his fourth career start; the 6-foot-5 guard is seen as a better matchup on paper for the Red Raiders' starting unit than Anthony Johnson. Junior forward Santiago Trouet enters the contest on the back of his best outing of the season, a 16-point, 10-rebound performance in the victory over Oklahoma State. Trouet's recent play gives Arizona State a more reliable interior presence.
Montenegro native Marko Grbovic, cleared to play after being questionable, will make his 20th start and is expected to be a source of perimeter shooting at times when the Sun Devils need timely buckets. Freshman Massamba Diop remains the team's most disruptive two-way force; his ability to alter shots and impact the glass will be tested against Texas Tech's physical frontcourt.
Texas Tech momentum, matchup implications
Texas Tech's confidence is high after an overtime victory at a top-ranked opponent on Saturday, a game that highlighted the Red Raiders' depth and poise in late-game situations. Forward JT Toppin delivered a breakout all-around performance with 31 points and 13 rebounds, while a key perimeter look in overtime swung momentum toward the visitors. That effort underscored Texas Tech's capacity to grind through a rugged conference slate.
Matchup-wise, Texas Tech presents size and interior scoring that will press Arizona State's frontcourt — placing a premium on Diop and Trouet to limit second-chance points and rim touches. On the perimeter, the Red Raiders' balance creates defensive decisions that Odum and Grbovic will try to exploit, especially if Ford remains out and Arizona State leans more heavily on its primary ball-handlers.
Defensively, the Red Raiders have tightened into a stingy unit, and their recent stretch features a string of low-scoring affairs. That profile plays directly into Arizona State's challenge: generate enough consistent offense without its usual depth while containing Texas Tech's half-court sets and offensive rebounding threats.
What's at stake and what to watch
For Arizona State, this is one of six remaining regular-season games where every result will matter in building momentum and seeding. The Sun Devils need complementary contributions beyond Odum and the frontcourt duo to keep pace in Tempe. Look for rotations to shift early as the coaching staff manages minutes without Ford.
For Texas Tech, the goal is to sustain its three-game run and continue asserting itself in conference play. Watch JT Toppin for second-chance scoring and physicality around the rim, and keep an eye on how the Red Raiders neutralize Trouet and Diop on the glass. Late-game execution and foul management could decide a contest that projects as a defensive battle with possessions at a premium.
Tip-off is set for Tuesday at 11 p. m. ET in Tempe. Expect a physical, possession-scarce affair where matchups, timely shooting and depth will determine which side leaves Desert Financial Arena with a valuable conference victory.
