Cam Boozer, Duke vs. Texas Tech Reportedly Set for MSG on 2025-26 CBB Schedule

Madison Square Garden will surely be rocking for Wednesday's Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers, but it will reportedly also host a major nonconference men's college basketball game during the 2025-26 campaign.

Jeff Goodman of Field of 68 reported Wednesday that Duke and Texas Tech will face each other in a high-profile showdown on Dec. 20 inside the Garden.

Last month, B/R's David Kenyon projected Duke as the No. 12 team and Texas Tech as the No. 14 team in his early top 25 rankings for next season. ESPN's Jeff Borzello was higher on both and ranked the Red Raiders at No. 3 and the Blue Devils at No. 10.

While Texas Tech may be higher rated when the two teams square off, Duke is always one of the headline programs in men's college basketball.

Cooper Flagg may be off to the NBA, but next season figures to be no different. After all, it brought in the No. 3 recruiting class in the country for 2025, per 247Sports' composite rankings, and figures to reload.

Cameron and Cayden Boozer are the biggest names from that class and will look to follow in their father Carlos' footsteps as the next generation of Duke stars. Forward Nikolas Khamenia also adds another high-ceiling prospect who will likely see immediate playing time during the upcoming season.

But Texas Tech will be anything but a pushover.

JT Toppin will lead the way as a potential Player of the Year candidate after averaging 18.2 points and 9.4 rebounds per game in his first season with the Red Raiders in 2024-25. 

This game will give him a spotlight opportunity on a national stage, and he will surely be ready to seize it and get Texas Tech a marquee nonconference victory. Whoever wins this game will earn a resume boost that promises to last until Selection Sunday.