Texas Tech is gearing up for another blockbuster non-conference showdown after officially confirming a highly anticipated rematch with Duke at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City. The two college basketball powerhouses will meet on Monday, December 21, renewing a rivalry that produced one of last season’s most thrilling games. The contest will be streamed live on Prime Video, while the tip-off time and ticket details will be announced at a later date.
The upcoming clash marks the second consecutive season the Red Raiders and Blue Devils will face off at the world-famous arena. Their previous meeting on December 20, 2025, delivered instant-classic drama as Texas Tech erased a stunning 17-point deficit before completing an incredible 82-81 comeback victory over the then-No. 3 ranked Blue Devils.
That memorable win became one of the defining moments of Texas Tech’s season and showcased the resilience and determination that have become trademarks of head coach Grant McCasland’s program. It also proved the Red Raiders could compete with—and defeat—the nation’s elite teams on the biggest stages.
Although Duke still owns a 2-1 advantage in the all-time series, Texas Tech enters this year’s matchup full of confidence after last season’s breakthrough victory. Before that win, Duke had defeated the Red Raiders 69-58 at Madison Square Garden in 2018 and later eliminated Texas Tech with a hard-fought 78-73 victory in the Sweet 16 of the 2022 NCAA Tournament in San Francisco.
Madison Square Garden has become a special venue for Texas Tech over the years. The Red Raiders will be making their 12th appearance at the historic arena and have built an impressive recent record there. They have won three consecutive games at MSG, beginning with a memorable victory over No. 1 Louisville in November 2019, followed by another impressive triumph against No. 13 Tennessee in December 2021 before last season’s dramatic comeback against Duke.
The victory over Duke was only the beginning of an outstanding campaign for Texas Tech. The Red Raiders went on to record three wins over top-five opponents during the season, reinforcing their reputation as one of the nation’s toughest teams. Ranked No. 19 when they defeated the Blue Devils, Texas Tech remained in the national rankings throughout the year and secured its third straight NCAA Tournament appearance under McCasland.
The Red Raiders finished the 2025-26 campaign with a strong 23-11 overall record, continuing the impressive progress made since McCasland took over the program. As he enters his fourth season in Lubbock, McCasland has compiled an outstanding 74-31 record, establishing Texas Tech as a consistent contender on the national stage.
Several standout performances powered last season’s victory over Duke. JT Toppin dominated inside with an outstanding double-double, finishing with 19 points and 10 rebounds while providing leadership on both ends of the floor. Christian Anderson delivered one of the finest performances of his career, pouring in 27 points and adding five assists to spark the dramatic comeback.
While Anderson has moved on to the NBA after being selected in the first round of the NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets, the Red Raiders are excited to welcome back Toppin, who is expected to once again be one of the team’s cornerstone players. His experience, versatility and leadership will be vital as Texas Tech looks to defend last season’s victory and continue building momentum heading into conference play.
Duke, meanwhile, enters the matchup determined to avenge last season’s heartbreaking defeat. The Blue Devils opened the 2025-26 season with an impressive 11-0 record before suffering their first loss against Texas Tech in New York. Despite that setback, Jon Scheyer’s squad responded with an outstanding season, capturing the ACC regular-season championship with a dominant 17-1 conference record.
The Blue Devils finished with a remarkable 35-3 overall record and enjoyed another deep NCAA Tournament run. Duke defeated Siena, TCU and St. John’s before its championship hopes ended in dramatic fashion with a narrow 73-72 Elite Eight loss to UConn, falling just one victory short of reaching the program’s 19th Final Four.
Scheyer, entering his fifth season as Duke’s head coach, has quickly established himself among the nation’s top coaches. His outstanding 124-25 record reflects the consistency and excellence that continue to define the Blue Devils, ensuring another high-profile battle when they meet Texas Tech once again.
Beyond the Duke showdown, Texas Tech has also assembled an ambitious non-conference schedule. The Red Raiders will participate in the prestigious Players Era Sixteen tournament in Las Vegas, opening against Louisville on November 24. Depending on results, they will face either Oregon or St. John’s before concluding pool play on November 27. If Texas Tech wins its first three games, it will earn the opportunity to compete for the Players Era Championship on November 28 at Michelob ULTRA Arena.
With experienced leadership, a proven coaching staff and another challenging schedule, Texas Tech is preparing for a season filled with marquee opportunities. The rematch against Duke promises to be one of the biggest highlights of the college basketball calendar, giving the Red Raiders another chance to prove they belong among the nation’s elite while the Blue Devils seek redemption on one of basketball’s grandest stages.
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