Live Game Thread, Updates for Illinois Basketball vs. Texas Tech

Keep track of the Illinois vs. Texas Tech basketball score and action in Tuesday's game in Lubbock, Texas, with our periodic game updates

Nov 5, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Pennsylvania forward TJ Power (12) takes a shot as Illinois center Tomislav Ivisic (13) defends during the first half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Illinois basketball will receive its first stern test of the 2026-27 regular season at Texas Tech in a non-conference matchup Tuesday (7 p.m. CT, Peacock/NBCSN) in Lubbock, Texas. It marks the first travel date for the No. 3-ranked Illini (2-0), as well as the first time we may see the fallout of life without injured preseason All-America forward David Mirkovic.

Top 20 battle in November.

🆚 Texas Tech
⏰ 7 p.m.
📍Lubbock, Texas
📺 Peacock/NBCSN pic.twitter.com/JaupTT1g97

— Illinois Men's Basketball (@IlliniMBB) November 10, 2026

No. 16 Texas Tech might have had the makings of an upset on their hands if their own high-producing forward – JT Toppin – weren't also hurt. Toppin was an absolute dynamo against the Illini year ago, collecting 35 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, three steals and three blocks, and pushing the home team to the bring before he and the Red Raiders fell by four.

Illinois will almost certainly attempt to literally run Texas Tech off the court with its head-spinning pace and waves of talent (particularly gifted shooters with size). The Red Raiders don't appear to have the tools to match up, but November road games can be funny things - even for college basketball's cream of the crop. And given the sheer magnitude of changes the Illini have undergone in one offseason, it's possible (if improbable) that they may ripe for the plucking if enough things come together for Texas Tech.

Illinois vs. Texas Tech live score updates

17:20: Sure enough, the gritty Red Raiders, utterly unintimidated by the Illini's size or ranking, throw the first punch. They get a couple early layups and then a pair of Cruz Davis threes. A Lincoln Williams fastbreak dunk and an Andrej Stojakovic layup close the gap, but the Illini were not ready for Texas Tech's physicality coming out of the gate. Texas Tech leads 10-7

12:17: An incredible sequence by Quentin Coleman: He hustles from weak-side and skies to break up an alley-oop dunk for a steal, then very nearly grabs a rebound on the other end before getting dinged for a foul. He is revving at 100 mph. Meanwhile, an Stephen Vaaks three and Ethan Brown layup trim the Red Raiders' lead to 1. Texas Tech leads 15-14

8:28: The Illini are gettong outmuscled and outhustled. The Red Raiders are being extremely physical on the boards and putting bodies on penetrating guards. At the same time, Texas Tech guards – in particular former Illini Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn is eating up Illinois' D inside. The Red Raiders go on an 8-0 run before Quentin Coleman sets up Zvonimir Ivisic for a wide open dunk. But Coleman goes down on the play and immediately calls for medical staff before leaving the game. Texas Tech leads 28-21

Illinois vs. Texas Tech stories

• How to Watch Illinois Basketball vs Texas Tech
• First Look at Illinois Basketball's Game 3 Opponent: Texas Tech Red Raiders
• ESPN BPI Picks Favorite for Illinois Basketball vs. Texas Tech
• Why Illinois Basketball Will Dominate Texas Tech
• Brad Underwood Discusses Former Illini Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn Ahead of Texas Tech Clash

Starting lineups

Starting five vs. Texas Tech pic.twitter.com/Q9DJKfpbC6

— Illinois Men's Basketball (@IlliniMBB) November 11, 2026

Illinois

G: Quentin Coleman
G: Ethan Brown
G: Lincoln Williams
G: Andrej Stojakovic
C: Tomislav Ivisic

Texas Tech

G: Cruz Davis
G: Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn
F: Darrion Williams
F: Donovan Atwell
F: Bassala Bagayoko