#15 Red Raiders Postseason Predictions

As the regular season comes to an end many fans wonder where Texas Tech will end up and how they will fare in the postseason. This season the Red Raiders have been at times playing like a top 3 team in the country; however inconsistency on offense has put doubt into the minds of many fans. Before we get to the predictions lets get a quick breakdown of the season and see where the top polls have the Red Raiders.

Starting off with the losses: UH (11pts), KU (1pt), OSU (5pts), BU (8pts), WVU (1pts), WVU (11pts) .

Now to the wins: NWST (43pts), SHSU (32pts), TROY (34pts), GRAM (41pts), ACU (7pts), AMCC (20pts), OU (2pts), UIW (28pts), KSU (11pts), ISU (27pts), UT (2pts), OU (5pts), KSU (11pts),

Remaining: @TCU 2/18, @ KU 2/20, @ OSU 2/22, UT 2/27. POSTPONED: @ Baylor, ISU, TCU. CANCELLED: SJU

GunsUp Crew/ Media Predictions:

Keith Donaghe

 There have been times this year where scoring against the Red Raiders seems like a miracle, a common theme among Big 12 defenses, but the Red Raiders offense often lacks discipline prolonging scoring droughts. If TTU wants to be a real contender they will need to find consistent scoring options outside of McClung. Defensively, sure up beyond the arc; as Big 12 teams are shooting well against Coach Beards guys. The Red Raiders will improve before the tournament but its hard to see this team making it past 2 top 10 schools and given there probable seeding it is likely they will come across that on the second weekend of games.

Big12: 3rd (20-7) 

Big12 Tournament: Semi-final Exit

NCAA Tournament: 3 seed(Elite 8)

Trevor Williams

Tuesday’s loss at home to West Virginia made the path for a two seed nearly impossible with the Mountaineers now holding a head-to-head sweep over the Red Raiders. At this time, it looks like a three seed is likely the ceiling for this team should they win five or six of the remaining seven. What seems most likely is a four seed so long as they win the games they are expected to win. Of the four hardest remaining games on the schedule, those not against ISU or TCU, three of them are on the road. Not to mention, the unranked team of the remaining four is Kansas, who will be chomping at the bit to secure their own sweep over Tech this season to strengthen their tournament resume. Currently, the two through seven spots in the Big 12 are separated by just two games. Expect the last few weeks to be just as chaotic as the initial portion. 

Big12: 4th (11-7 Big 12) (19-8 Overall)

Big12 Tournament: Semifinal Exit

NCAA Tournament: 4 seed (Sweet 16)

Trent Wycoff

There will likely be a large mix of teams that finish the regular season with overall records of around 17-6 or 16-7, but the final conference standings seem destined to be decided by the number of games played.  Baylor and WVU, as it stands, are poised to retain a high winning percentage and mutually benefit from not playing their scheduled series.  They are the probable 1^st and 2^nd place teams.  Tech is scheduled to play one fewer game than OU and will suffer from losing a likely victory over ISU on the schedule, as its sweep of the Sooners is rendered irrelevant since a tiebreak scenario isn’t possible unless Tech manages to play another game or OU has one cancelled.  KU is actually scheduled to play the entire conference slate and will also suffer for it.  There are a few key games that will decide the 3^rd-6^th positions in the final standings, and those are UT/OU, TTU/KU, WVU/UT, KU/UT, UT/TTU, OkSt/OU, OkSt/OU, and BU/KU.  I’ll predict the final regular season standings in order as BU, WVU, OU, TTU, UT, KU, OkSt, TCU, KSU, ISU.  For the conference tournament, I’ll say Texas Tech makes it to the semifinals.  The conference tournament is only relevant for teams on the bubble and it’s unlikely that TCU, ISU, or KSU can win it, so it’s worth noting that the conference tourney probably doesn’t really affect much.  As for the NCAA tournament, Texas Tech seems more than capable of another Elite Eight run.  The occasional offensive drought and slow start could spell an earlier exit, but playing in front of improved referees is likely to do this squad tremendous favors.  Tech will be underseeded thanks to several losses in conference play directly attributable to horrific Big XII officiating, and has proven that it can play with anyone in the country.  I will hedge my optimism and say Elite Eight, but this team is on paper more capable of making the title game than was the Tech team that very nearly won the last one.  The NCAA tournament will define this team more than anything that preceded it, and I imagine the team is as ready as I am for it.

Big12: 4th (10-6 Big 12) (19-8 Overall including the Conference Tournament)

Big12 Tournament: Semifinal Exit

NCAA Tournament: 4 seed (Elite Eight)

National Media NCAA Tournament:

ESPN: 4 Seed (Joe Lunardi)

NCAA.com: 4 seed (Andy Katz)

CBS: 3 Seed

The next scheduled game for Texas Tech is on the 18th against TCU. The Big 12 tournament begins march 10th and Selection Sunday is on March 14th followed by the First Four on March 18th.

Be sure to follow GunsUpNation on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all your Texas Tech athletics news and content.