Texas Tech fans react in wildly different ways to loss to NC State
As you might expect, the views and opinions expressed by Texas Tech basketball fans were all over the place following Thursday's 80-67 loss to the NC State Wolfpack in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Some, including former Red Raider player Brandone Francis, were rather optimistic about the future of the program.
We had 20+ wins this year Mark my words. Next year Tech is winning the big12. I know those guys are fired up to get back. If we use lessons correctly this could be the beginning of something special…I believe. See you this summer, I’ll come to lbk for a full month this time.
— Brand0ne Francis (@Brand1fr) March 22, 2024
Successful year 1 for Texas Tech under Grant McCasland.
— Ben Golan (@BenjaminGolan) March 22, 2024
Top 4 team in the Big 12, #6 seed in the NCAA Tournament, just had a bad shooting night in the most important game of the season.
Should be a fun off-season with several needs in the transfer portal.
I've already convinced myself we are saving our best basketball for next year since it is the 100th year of Tech basketball and the Final Four is in San Antonio.
— Lauren Thomas🌵 (@LaurMichThom) March 22, 2024
Certainly, those who are deciding to look on the bright side have reason to do so. Tech was picked to finish 8th in the Big 12 preseason poll and wound up tied for third in the regular-season race. Even just getting a bid to the Big Dance was a step in the right direction in year on under Grant McCasland.
However, other fans were angry over the way the team performed. After all, the Red Raiders put forth one of their worst efforts of the season on Thursday. What's more, they spoiled a golden opportunity to get to the Sweet 16 in Dallas. All they had to do was beat a No. 11 and a No. 14 seed to have that chance and they wet the bed instead. That left many Red Raider fans cynical and snarky.
This is all excuses tbh, Coach Beard hate him or not from day 1 it was RESULTS oriented. We are in denial…a trip to sweet 16 fell into our lap with Kentucky losing. Nc st was a bad all year …Horrific game plan. Clearly we have become ok with mediocrity since our 2019 run.
— Kauthaine (@kauthaine) March 22, 2024
Sure. I believe in Mac. But tonight our best players no-showed. Terrible defensive game plan. Apparently no offensive game plan. Played WW too long. Why didn’t EY play any? Beat at all levels. Players. Coaches. Effort. Intensity. Toughest team won. It wasn’t us.
— Jason Hunt PT, OCS 🌵🏴☠️ (@raideralum) March 22, 2024
Never stopped fighting? Questionable. They never even fought to begin with.
— Sidelines - Texas Tech 🌵 (@SSN_TTU) March 22, 2024
Tech has played like this the entire year. Uninspired against teams they should be, hyped for teams they shouldn’t beat. And just constant scoring droughts with piss poor offense
— Tyler B (@T_Bouza) March 22, 2024
Texas Tech fans must keep in mind that NC State is one of the hottest teams in the nation. They have now won six straight postseason games this year with two of those wins last week coming over a current No. 4 seed Duke and a current No. 1 seed in North Carolina.
What's more, the Wolfpack was a bad matchup for Tech. With three skilled big men, NC State was able to exploit the Red Raiders greatest weakness (the lack of size in the post) like few teams this year had done.
Of course, Tech didn't do itself any favors by shooting 7-31 from 3-point range and by getting to the free-throw line only 14 times on the night. Still, I said from the moment that this game was announced that it was a tough matchup for Tech and that proved to be true.
So be angry if you want to be. Be optimistic about the future if that helps you cope. Be whatever you feel like being because that's your right as a fan. Just always be a Red Raider because that's what brings us all together time and time again.
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