Lubbock, Texas ? Kansas University’s Nick Collison and Kirk Hinrich had to wipe away tears after Saturday’s emotional Senior Day festivities at Allen Fieldhouse.

They won’t weep tonight if the No. 7 Jayhawks (22-6 overall, 12-2 Big 12 Conference) are able to defeat Texas Tech (16-9, 6-8) just two days after a 79-61 victory over Oklahoma State. Tipoff is 8 p.m. at United Spirit Arena.

“It’s an exciting time. We’re in the best part of our season, the best part of our careers,” Collison said. “It’s not going to be easy the next two games, but we do have a chance to accomplish some goals.”

KU closes Sunday at Missouri. A victory tonight would be cause for celebration, assuring the Jayhawks at least a share of the Big 12 regular-season championship, the ninth league title in 15 years under coach Roy Williams.

“Our mindset is we control our own destiny,” KU sophomore Keith Langford said. “We can’t let it slip away. We can’t afford any slippage.”

One problem facing Kansas tonight is the Jayhawks will be facing a desperate, motivated team in Texas Tech. The Red Raiders, who close the regular season Saturday at Baylor, need two victories to finish .500 in the conference.

It’s difficult for any team to snare an at-large NCAA Tournament bid if it doesn’t win at least half of its league games.

“In college basketball, you’ve got to get up every day. You’ve got to be ready every day,” Williams said. “It’s going to be tough for us. We’ve got two Senior Days on the road, the last home games at Texas Tech and Missouri. We know we’ll get their best shot.”

Tech seniors Will Chavis, Pawel Storozynski and Kasib Powell each will grab the microphone and speak to 15,098 fans after tonight’s game, just as KU’s Hinrich and Collison did Saturday.

Missouri will have two seniors — former walk-on, now scholarship player Ryan Kiernan and current walk-on Jake Jackson — to honor Sunday.

“Texas Tech will have a great crowd,” Collison said. “It’ll be a battle between two tough teams. If we defend like we did against Oklahoma State and play a little smarter on offense we can get it done. If we keep our focus we can get it done.”

Tech lost to Texas, 76-71, Saturday in Lubbock.

“There isn’t anything that’s a must-win,” Knight said after the game. “What’s going to happen if we lose the next two games? Is Lubbock going to drop off the map? Is the university going to fail to operate? Sure, they’re two games we’d like to win, and we’ll do everything we can to win those two games.”

Junior guard Andre Emmett averages 22.0 points and 5.9 boards a game to lead the Raiders, who are 10-3 at home this season and 5-5 overall in their last 10 games.

“We know it’s not over right now,” said Powell, who averages 15.2 points and 4.5 assists. “We’re being positive about it.”