It seems as if all of these close losses are catching up to the Red Raiders. In Joe Lunardi's most recent Bracketology, the Red Raiders are second in the "First Four Out", indicating that they're good, but projected to just barely miss the tournament. (link)
Being in the Big XII doesn't help the Red Raiders, as the conference has six of their ten teams projected to make the tournament, including two #1 seeds in Kansas and Oklahoma. As the Big XII heats up, Texas Tech can't afford any more moral victories. If we want to make it to March Madness and not settle for the NIT, the Red Raiders need to get a couple of these close wins.
Of course, none of this means anything now, it's simply a projection. But projections can speak loudly, and despite being in one of the best conferences in College Basketball, the Red Raiders might get left out of the Big Dance. The Red Raiders travel to Oklahoma to take on the #1 ranked Sooners tomorrow.
