FACTS & STATS: Site: United Spirit Arena (15,098) -- Lubbock, Texas. Television: ESPN2. Home Record: Texas 13-1, Texas Tech 12-1. Away Record: Texas 3-5, Texas Tech 4-4. Neutral Record: Texas 2-1, Texas Tech 0-2. Conference Record: Texas 7-5, Texas Tech 8-4. Series Record: Texas leads 62-51.

GAME NOTES: The Texas Tech Red Raiders will be in search of their 13th home win of the season when they welcome the hated Longhorns of Texas to United Spirit Arena tonight for a Big 12 showdown from Lubbock. The Longhorns have followed up an embarrassing three-game losing skid by winning three straight contests, including a 75-60 victory over Baylor this past Saturday. The win improved Texas to 18-7 overall and puts it in a tie with Iowa State for third place in the Big 12 standings, as both schools have gone 7-5 against Big 12 foes thus far. Texas Tech is one of the teams that Texas is looking up at in the league, as Bob Knight's squad has managed to win eight of its 12 conference tilts. However, the Red Raiders have dropped two of their last three games, including an 85-56 setback to eighth-ranked Oklahoma State this past weekend. Despite the team's recent struggles, Texas Tech is still an impressive 12-1 in Lubbock this year, with its only loss at United Spirit Arena coming against Oklahoma State on January 8th (76-66). Tonight's game will mark the 114th all-time meeting between these two intrastate rivals, with the Longhorns holding a 62-51 series edge. Texas has also won 31 of the last 39 meetings with the Red Raiders, including an 80-73 victory earlier this season in Austin.

Brad Buckman had another solid performance in the Longhorns' recent win over Baylor, scoring 19 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Buckman converted 6-of-9 field goal attempts and made 7-of-9 shots taken from the charity stripe. Kenny Taylor chipped in with 14 points and a team-high seven assists in a reserve role, helping to overshadow just a 1-of-7 shooting performance from behind the arc. Daniel Gibson was much more effective from long range (3-of-4), which helped him tally 13 points. Gibson, a first-year sensation for the Longhorns, also had six rebounds in 38 minutes of action. On the season, he is leading the team in scoring with 14.4 ppg and ranks among the leaders in the Big 12 with an average of 4.0 apg. Buckman has also been outstanding this year, contributing with 12.4 ppg and team-highs of 8.4 rpg and 44 blocks.

Knight's Red Raiders have one of the most balanced scoring attack in the conference, as four players are averaging in double-figures. Ronald Ross is leading the way for Tech, posting 17.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg and 3.2 apg. Jarrius Jackson is chipping in with 15.0 ppg, 3.1 rpg and 3.7 apg, while Martin Zeno has also been an all-around performer with his 13.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg and 3.4 apg. Devonne Giles, who is one of the best free throw shooters in the Big 12 (.841), is scoring 12 ppg to go along with his team-high 6.2 rpg. Giles finished with 12 points and four boards in the team's loss to Oklahoma State on Saturday, while Zeno had team-highs with 19 points and eight rebounds. Ross tallied 10 points and eight rebounds but shot a mere 5-of-17 from the field. Jackson also had a rough outing from the floor (3-of-10) and finished with a mere eight points in 26 minutes of action.

These two squads are probably going to receive NCAA Tournament bids, but this game is even more important because of the ability to carry state bragging rights with a win. Texas Tech is just too tough at home and has not forgotten the loss it suffered to the Longhorns earlier this year in Austin.

Predicted Outcome

Texas Tech 79, Texas 77