Texas Tech Sports Preview: 3/24-3/30

Texas Tech baseball and softball didn't have the greatest of weeks last week. Baseball only won 2 games out of the 5 they played. They lost a tough one to Oral Roberts in extras and lost 2 of 3 at Oklahoma. Tech dropped 6 spots in the Baseball America rankings going from #12 to #18. This week they look to get things turned around against two struggling squads in New Mexico and Kansas. The Lady Raiders traveled to Seattle last week where they won 1 out of 3 games they played. They picked up a win against Seattle but lost both games to a strong Washington team. This week they host Oklahoma to kick off conference play. Big 12 basketball didn't have a very good week either, the only two teams to survive opening weekend were 5 seed West Virginia and 3 seed Oklahoma.

Baseball

#18 Texas Tech (16-9, 1-2) vs New Mexico (11-10, 5-4), 3/24 L 7-6

#18 Texas Tech (16-9, 1-2) vs Kansas (9-14), 3/27-3/29

TV: Fox College Sports, 3/27 vs Kansas 6:30PM CST, 3/29 vs Kansas 1:00PM CST

Texas Tech plays host to New Mexico before Kansas comes to town this weekend. Tech is looking to right the ship after having a less than stellar week. New Mexico is struggling as well, losing 6 straight. Kansas' season isn't going as planned either which sees them sitting at 9-14. This week gives Tech a legitimate shot at getting to 20 wins by the end of the week. It's good to see Texas Tech staying in the top 25 of Baseball America's rankings and as long as we keep picking up valuable wins we should stay there. UPDATE: Tech mounted a nice little comeback but fell 7-6 against a pesky New Mexico team. The club looks to rebound this weekend against Kansas.

Softball

Texas Tech (16-17) vs #23 Oklahoma (25-5), 3/27-3/29

The Lady Raiders returned home from Seattle after a tough weekend. They picked up a good win against Seattle University but then lost two straight to Washington who is ranked #21 in the NCAA rankings. This week won't get much easier for the team as they play host to #23 Oklahoma this coming weekend. The Lady Raiders sit right around .500 while Oklahoma is 25-5 and is looking to keep things rolling. Oklahoma lost two straight to #2 LSU (30-1) this past weekend and I would imagine that they didn't take to that too kindly. Hopefully our Lady Raiders pick up a few Ws in what should be a tough series.

Big 12 Basketball

Boy, was I wrong in my Big 12 picks last week. I'm pretty sure the Big 12 let everyone down and destroyed everyone's perfect brackets day one. Both Baylor and Iowa St were upset by 14 seeds, Butler gave Texas all it could handle, Oregon edged out Oklahoma St, and Kansas was upset by the in-state little sister Wichita St. Then there were two, West Virginia and Oklahoma both survived and are both headed to the Sweet 16. West Virginia is the 5 seed in the Midwest Region and takes on 1 seed Kentucky. I think this will be a tough game for both and will be a very physical game. Oklahoma takes on Michigan St in the East Region. Oklahoma is a 3 seed facing Michigan St who is a 7 seed. Michigan St upset 2 seed Virginia and always plays really well in tournament play. I believe this will also be a tight game.

TV: CBS, TBS

#5 West Virginia vs #1 Kentucky, 3/26 8:45PM CST. My Prediction: Kentucky wins by 10

#3 Oklahoma vs #7 Michigan St, 3/27 9:07PM CST. My Prediction: Michigan St wins by 5