It seems hard to believe, but we're in the final regular season game of the Texas Tech basketball season. Fortunately, the Red Raiders have plenty of chances to play against Baylor.
Of course, beating their in-state rivals and avoiding a season sweep at the hands of the Bears are two big motivators. But so is their chance of finishing in the top four in the conference standings.
Tech currently sits in fourth place in Big 12 play with a 10-7 record. However, Kansas University also has a record of 10 wins and 7 losses in the league.
Fortunately, Tech won the tiebreaker against the Jayhawks thanks to a 29-point win in a head-to-head matchup in Lubbock last month. Therefore, Tech can secure the No. 4 seed in the Big 12 by defeating the Bears. Additionally, if Kansas loses to No. 1 Houston, the Red Raiders will receive the No. 4 seed.
BYU had a chance to earn the No. 4 seed, but Wednesday night's loss at Iowa State prevented them from finishing no higher than 10-8 in the Big 12. It won't be enough to pass the Red Raiders. Tech holds the head-to-head tiebreaker in that matchup as well, which changes the standings.
So why is a top-four finish so important? Because that's the line for a double-bye in the Big 12 Tournament.
This year's Big 12 Tournament will have a 14-team format, meaning the top four teams in the league will receive two byes. Therefore, there is no need to play until the quarterfinals on Thursday. It also means the top four teams only need to win three games in Kansas City to win the championship and earn an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.
But perhaps the most important element for technology is the additional rest days. This team is devastated and needs all the recovery time it can get. Maybe one more day before playing in Kansas City will allow Tech to play its best basketball.
Also, center Warren Washington is listed as day-to-day as he is nursing a foot injury, leaving him one day before returning to the floor (assuming he does not play against Baylor on Saturday). Maybe rest is enough. .
Since the Big 12 went round-robin in 2012, the Red Raiders have finished fourth or higher in the conference race just four times. This year, that accomplishment will mean more than ever given the extra bye and extra rest day in Kansas City.
So, in addition to defeating the Bears and picking up a Quad-1 win to boost their restart, the Red Raiders will also be hoping to get one last win this regular season to secure a top-four finish. thinking. That could help the Red Raiders do well in the postseason.
