Texas Tech picked up a big win against Texas this past weekend and now sits at 11-1. The Red Raiders haven't made the NCAA tournament since 2007 but Tubby Smith has appeared to turn this program around in just a few years. Now people outside of Lubbock are noticing the men's basketball team after their hot start. ESPN's Joe Lunardi currently has the Red Raiders projected as a 10-seed for the Big Dance.
It's really early but @ESPNLunardi has @TexasTechMBB projected to be a 10 seed in the #NCAA Tournament. #WreckEm pic.twitter.com/av2CJJG4jS
— TexasTechTV (@TexasTechTV) January 4, 2026
I know Big 12 play has just started and anything can happen but the Red Raiders are looking poised to make the NCAA tournament. Texas Tech still has 17 conference games left, a Big 12/SEC Challenge game against Arkansas and the Big 12 conference tournament at the end of the season. If Texas Tech goes at worst 7-10 in their remaining Big 12 games and beat Arkansas the team would be sitting at 19-11 at the end of regular season play. 19-11 as a worst-case scenario sounds good to me. These next two games against Iowa State and Kansas will be huge games and if the Red Raiders can pick up a win against either then they'll be sitting good for Big 12 play and could end up finishing in the top 4 in the conference.
