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Team: Texas Tech Red Raiders
Conference: Big 12 Conference
Coach: Tubby Smith
Record: 19-12 overall, 9-9 in conference
KenPom Rank: 42
Good wins: at Baylor; over Arkansas- Little Rock, Iowa State, Oklahoma, Texas at home..
Impact Players: Four players average between 10-11 points per game - there's some very well-distributed scoring. Look out for forward Aaron Ross, who hits 53% of his shots inside the arc and can shoot outside as well. They put up points as a team effort.
How did they get in?: The Red Raiders started the season 11-1 but were unproven. Then the Big 12 schedule whacked them again and a again; but the league has so many strong teams that at 3-7, they had only suffered one "bad" loss at Arkansas. The Raiders reeled off wins over Iowa State, Baylor, Oklahoma and others on their way to a .500 record in a rugged conference.
How far can this team go in the NCAA Tournament?: Hm. A team with some good home wins, only one good road win, and that has lost three out of four - including on to TCU, whose coach was fired this week? Looks like a first-round knockout to me, especially facing an opener against a tough Butler team.
Last time in the NCAA Tournament: 2007, under Bobby Knight.