In a stunning upset, the Texas Tech Red Raiders dominated the sixth-ranked Kansas Jayhawks in a lopsided victory on Monday night. Led by the outstanding performance of Darrion Williams, Texas Tech never trailed throughout the game, securing a resounding 79-50 win. Williams had a perfect night, scoring a career-high 30 points on a flawless 12-for-12 shooting, including four three-pointers. He also grabbed 11 rebounds, proving to be a formidable force on both ends of the court.
Williams' exceptional shooting display set a record for Texas Tech, as no player in their history has ever made 12 field goals without a miss. The sophomore transfer from Nevada also made history in the NCAA as the first player in the last 25 seasons to score 30 points, grab 10 rebounds, and achieve a perfect shooting percentage against a ranked opponent, according to ESPN Stats.
Right from the beginning, Texas Tech asserted their dominance, with Williams sinking a three-pointer on the team's first shot of the game. They continued their hot shooting from beyond the arc, making eight of their first 12 attempts to establish a comfortable 27-14 lead within the first 13 minutes.
Kansas, on the other hand, struggled throughout the night. Having played their second consecutive game without leading scorer Kevin McCullar Jr. and with guard Dajuan Harris limited due to an ankle injury, the Jayhawks faced an uphill battle. “We're beat up and tired right now,” acknowledged Kansas head coach Bill Self.
Self's frustration boiled over as he received his first ejection in his 21 seasons at Kansas with 5:49 remaining in the game. Following an offensive foul call against Hunter Dickinson, Self received two technical fouls for his objections to the call. Reflecting on the incident, Self stated, “I didn’t curse him, I didn't yell. But I did say a magic word, I guess, multiple times that got me a couple of technicals. I really wasn’t trying to get thrown out.' Self further expressed his dissatisfaction with how the game was officiated, regardless of which team benefited.
As the game progressed, Texas Tech's Pop Isaacs made all four free throws after Self's ejection, extending their lead to 63-43. Warren Washington chipped in with 11 points in just 20 minutes of playing time, despite briefly leaving the court due to injury. Nicolas Timberlake and Johnny Furphy were the leading scorers for Kansas with 13 points each, while Harris managed only seven points on 2-of-8 shooting.
The victory for Texas Tech marked a significant turnaround after losing three consecutive games. Their win against Kansas also propelled them back into the AP Top 25 poll. The Red Raiders now hold an impressive 18-6 overall record and a 7-4 Big 12 conference record.
For Kansas, this loss highlighted their struggles without key players and left them with a 19-6 overall record and a 7-5 conference record. However, the Jayhawks have already secured six wins against Top 25 opponents this season, showcasing their resilience and ability to compete at a high level.
Looking ahead, Kansas will face No. 25 Oklahoma on Saturday, aiming to add another ranked win to their season. Meanwhile, Texas Tech will travel to face No. 10 Iowa State, hoping to build on their momentum and secure another crucial victory.
While this victory for Texas Tech may have come as a surprise to many, it serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of college basketball. In a season filled with upsets, unranked Big 12 teams have now secured nine wins against top-ranked opponents at home, further elevating the excitement and competitiveness of the conference.
