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

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, BTN) 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.

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…