Get to know Texas Tech, Villanova’s first-round NCAA Tournament opponent
The Red Raiders are dancing for the first time since 2013 and are bringing their trademark strong defense into the first-round showdown in Baton Rouge, La.
Villanova women’s basketball is returning to the NCAA Tournament, drawing a No. 10 seed and taking on No. 7 seed Texas Tech on Friday (8:30 p.m., ESPNU) in Baton Rouge, La.
It will be the first-ever meeting between the teams.
Here’s what to know about Texas Tech (25-7, 12-6 Big 12) before March Madness begins:
Hot start
The Red Raiders, coached by Krista Gerlich, cruised through the beginning of their season. They went undefeated during the nonconference portion of their schedule and the first six games of conference play. They didn’t record a loss until the new year, a 65-59 decision vs. Kansas State on Jan. 17.
And one of Texas Tech’s nonconference opponents also will be in Baton Rouge. Jacksonville, which lost, 76-40, to Texas Tech on Dec. 17, is a 15-seed and will face No. 2 seed LSU on Friday (6 p.m., ESPN).
Overall, Texas Tech is ranked 25th in the AP women’s basketball poll and is No. 31 in the NCAA’s NET rankings. Notably, the Red Raiders went 3-1 in Quad 1 games and 5-6 in Quad 2 games this the season. Villanova, comparatively, is 35th in the NET and is just outside the official Top 25 at No. 28.
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Early conference tourney exit
Despite a dominant start to the season, Texas Tech finished fifth in the Big 12.
The Red Raiders opened conference play with a 61-60 win over then-No. 15 Baylor on Dec. 21. It was a huge win for Texas Tech, as it snapped a 31-game losing streak to the Bears, whom they beat again, 87-56, on Feb. 18.
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But in the second round of the Big 12 tournament, Kansas State again stood in the way. The 12th-seeded Wildcats upset the Red Raiders, 58-51, on March 5.
Dynamic seniors
Senior guards Bailey Maupin and Snudda Collins have accounted for most of Texas Tech’s points this season.
Maupin, the leading scorer of the Red Raiders, averages 15.1 points this season and was first-team All-Big 12.
Despite not starting any games this season, Collins is Texas Tech’s second-leading scorer, with 14.8 points per game. Collins, who transferred from Ole Miss, finished the regular season as Big 12 Sixth Player of the Year.
Strong defense
Much of Texas Tech’s success this season has come from its sturdy defense.
The Red Raiders have limited opponents to just 58.1 points per game this season, the second-fewest in the Big 12. Junior guard/forward Jalynn Bristow led the Big 12 this season in blocks, with 68. She also leads the Red Raiders in rebounding, with 5.7 per game.
Drought snapped
Texas Tech is returning to March Madness for the first time since 2013. It will be Gerlich’s coaching debut in the NCAA Tournament after taking over in 2020-21. As a player, she helped lead the Red Raiders to the 1993 national championship, their only national title.
Last season, Texas Tech competed in the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament along with Villanova and lost to Florida in the quarterfinals.