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Five Reasons Texas Tech Could Reach Final Four

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TX - February 07: Justin Gray
LUBBOCK, TX - February 07: Justin Gray /
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DALLAS, TX – FEBRUARY 06: The Dallas skyline is viewed on February 6, 2015 in Dallas, Texas. As crude oil prices have fallen nearly 60 percent globally, many American communities that became dependent on oil revenue are preparing for hard times. Texas, which benefited from hydraulic fracturing and the shale drilling revolution, tripled its production of oil in the last five years. The Texan economy saw hundreds of billions of dollars come into the state before the global plunge in prices. Across the state drilling budgets are being slashed and companies are notifying workers of upcoming layoffs. According to federal labor statistics, around 300,000 people work in the Texas oil and gas industry, 50 percent more than four years ago. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – FEBRUARY 06: The Dallas skyline is viewed on February 6, 2015 in Dallas, Texas. As crude oil prices have fallen nearly 60 percent globally, many American communities that became dependent on oil revenue are preparing for hard times. Texas, which benefited from hydraulic fracturing and the shale drilling revolution, tripled its production of oil in the last five years. The Texan economy saw hundreds of billions of dollars come into the state before the global plunge in prices. Across the state drilling budgets are being slashed and companies are notifying workers of upcoming layoffs. According to federal labor statistics, around 300,000 people work in the Texas oil and gas industry, 50 percent more than four years ago. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) /

Big D is Home Sweet Home

There is no question that the Red Raiders wanted to play in Dallas.  Just look at the team’s reaction when it found out it was headed to Big D for the first weekend.

Of course, Texas Tech will have to win two games in Boston if it is to reach the Final Four.  However, playing in Dallas is a huge advantage.

Most of the upsets in the NCAA Tournament occur on the first weekend of the event.  Thus, the most treacherous games Tech could face will be played in front of an in-state crowd.  If Tech makes it to Boston and faces a Cinderella team, they will be in great shape as the glass slipper usually drops in the third round after favorites have a week to scout their unknown opponents.

Another factor is the momentum in the building. It is common for crowds at NCAA Tournament sites to rally behind the underdog teams but that won’t be the case in Dallas when Texas Tech plays.

In all, seven members of the team are from the DFW area.  (Keenan Evans-Richardson, Zhaire Smith-Garland, Zach Smith-Plano, Niem Stevenson-Dallas, Norense Odiase-Ft. Worth, Andrew Sorrells-North Richland Hills and Parker Hicks-Decatur)  Playing at home is obviously a blessing but could also be a bit of a distraction.

Still, Texas Tech would much rather play in Dallas than anywhere outside of Lubbock.  In fact, if Tech would have had the ability to pick between being a three seed in another region and playing in Dallas as a lower seed, Tech would have taken Dallas without thinking.  Fortunately, the Red Raiders got their wish on both fronts.

"“Like I said, in Dallas it’s going to be a great atmosphere for us with the Tech fans and with these guy’s families there so it’s going to be amazing,” senior forward Justin Gray told Matt Rewis of News Channel 10 in Amarillo."

The opening round game is a hot ticket in Dallas.  The website Stubhub lists the cheapest seats at $89 for upper level sections.  Meanwhile, tickets for the first session of the day in Dallas are going for as little as $6 in the upper level and seats behind the basket can be had for just $57.  Likewise, tickets for the second round games in Dallas are going for as much as $850 in the lower levels and $69 in the upper levels.

The Texas Tech attendance factor was likely a huge motivation for the NCAA selection committee to put Tech in Dallas.  Though SFA is also an in-state team, their fanbase is minuscule compared to the legions of Texas Tech fans and students that live in the DFW.

Expect the American Airlines Center to be a sea of scarlet and black.  There is little chance for a letdown from the Red Raiders but if they begin a game sluggishly, the energy from what is likely to be 10,000 or more Texas Tech fans should be a huge boost.

Tech fans have already shown the willingness to support their team when it has played in or around the Metroplex.  Tech fans showed up in droves when the Raiders beat TCU in Ft. Worth.

Likewise, Red Raiders comprised at least 40% of the crowd at the Ferrell Center in Waco leading to one of the coolest moments of the season, a thundering “Raider Power” chant in an opponent’s arena.

Of course, nothing is guaranteed in the NCAA Tournament but playing in Dallas is as much of a home court advantage as any team in the field will have on the opening weekend.  That could help propel Tech through the weekend that is traditionally rife with upsets and putting Tech two wins shy of the Final Four.

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