No. 1 Purdue will be facing No. 15 Texas Tech in the title game of the Baha Mar Championship at Nassau, Bahamas on Friday night. Both teams have players considered among the best in the country and both were extended late into their games earlier this Thursday.
Purdue currently holds a 5-0 record in the season, recently defeating Memphis 80-71 after trailing with less than six minutes to play. On the other hand, Texas Tech currently hold a 4-1 record and are coming off a close 84-83 win against Wake Forest in the nightcap.
So, how will these two teams fare facing off against each other? Let’s find out.
Prediction
Purdue is ranked number one in the AP rankings and has opened the 2026 regular season with a perfect 5-0 record. They have been dominant both at home (3-0) and on the road (2-0) with some of their most impressive wins over Memphis, Akron, and Alabama. Their victory against Memphis was a nine-point win, thanks to Trey Kaufman0Renn’s 12 points and 11 rebounds and Oscar Cluff’s 11 points and seven rebounds.
Offensively, Purdue is producing 88.6 ppg and shooting an efficient 39.9% from the deep. Defensively, they average 4.8 steals per contest. With their balanced scoring, efficient perimeter shooting, and consistent defensive presence, the Boilmakers have maintained a flawless straight-up record and solidified their position at the top of the rankings.
Texas Tech has opened the season well with a 4-1 record, remaining perfect at home with a 3-0 mark. Their recent 1-point victory over Wake Forest highlighted their ability to perform under pressure. JT Toppin led that effort with 21 points and 9 rebounds, reinforcing his impact in close games. Texas Tech offers a competitive challenge, averaging 87.4 points and hitting 12 threes per game, which could pressure Purdue’s defense.
Both teams are strong on the boards with more than 42 rebounds per game, and Texas Tech’s higher steal rate could create turnover issues. Even so, Purdue’s scoring balance and home-court advantage make them the likely winner, though Texas Tech has enough firepower to keep the game close. ESPN’s matchup indicator estimates a 58.1% chance for Purdue to win this game.
Purdue vs Texas Tech lineup
Purdue Lineup
PG: Braden Smith
SG: Fletcher Loyer
SF: CJ Cox
PF: Trey Kaufman-Renn
C: Oscar Cluff
Texas Tech lineup
PG: Christian Anderson
SG: Donovan Atwell
SF: Tyree Bryan
PF: LeJuan Watts
C: JT Toppin
Injuries
In an interview with IndyStar, Boilmakers coach Matt Painter said that North Florida transfer Liam Murphy is not ready to return to competition as of yet. Murphy injured his shoulder in practice on Saturday and was listed as a game-time decision ahead of Purdue’s 97-79 win over Akron. Painter said,
“Our rotation is what it is, but he’s going to be ready. You have foul trouble, you have injuries, he’s going to be able to get an opportunity and I know he’ll be ready to play.”
For Texas Tech, forward Josiah Mosley still seems waitlisted due to a lower body injury that he suffered on November 3.
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