Elite Eight |
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Overall Record: 1-1 |
Tech's first Elite Eight appearance came in 2018. Unfortunately, that year, Tech ran into eventual National Champion Villanova in that round.
In a 71-59 game that was much closer than the score would indicate, Tech constantly drew close in the second half but couldn't ever completely close the gap. That was thanks in large part to Villanova point guard Jalen Brunson and his big day.
Scoring 15 clutch points and grabbing six boards, he was the hero the Wildcats turned to every time the game got close. He also played stiff defense on Tech's star point guard, Keenan Evans, who was held to just 3-14 shooting (12 points overall) on the afternoon.
Things were different a year later, though. Playing No. 1 seed Gonzaga in the Elite Eight, Tech surprised many with a 75-69 win.
That game is remembered for two unusual plays. First was Texas Tech forward Tariq Owens' block and out-of-bounds save of a 3-point attempt by the Bulldogs.
Second was the odd technical assessed to Gonzaga's Josh Perkins who contacted the ball in the hands of a Red Raider player who was inbounding the ball. That proved to be the play that sealed the win for Texas Tech.