Texas Tech basketball is finally back in the national conversation. Yahoo, CBS and ESPN all have Texas Tech firmly into the bubble. The last time the Red Raiders got into the Tournament was 2007 with Bob Knight at the helm.

The 2007 Red Raiders won 9 games in the Big 12 and went 21-13 on the season. With 4 games left the 2016 Red Raiders are 17-9 with 2 home games and 2 road games remaining.

For Texas Tech to be firmly in the Bracket and not on the bubble. Several things need to happen, starting with winning your remaining home games. Both TCU and KSU are beatable teams and with 2 top nationally ranked teams in WVU and Kansas remaining on the road you have to win at home to be at least .500 in the Big 12 regular season.

The next thing you need to do is grab another signature win. Whether it be on the road against WVU or Kansas or going deep in the Big 12 Tournament, there needs to be a moment that gives you some national publicity before March Madness starts.

Here are 3 reasons that Texas Tech will get it done and be in the Tournament.

  • 1

    Norense Odiase will have fresh legs and provide a spark in the Big 12 Tournament

    Norense Odiase has been recovering from a foot injury. His return is imminent and will provide immediate depth to a front court that has been big in the past 2 weeks especially.

    Odiase may not return to his starting role immediately but he will provide depth and insurance in a tournament setting.

    He will likely return for the last game or 2 of the regular season and will definitely return for the Big 12 Tourney and will be one of the main reasons the Red Raiders make a deep run.

  • 2

    Toddrick Gotcher wants to finish his senior year/career strong

    Toddrick Gotcher is playing the best basketball of his Texas Tech career. He's upped his FG%, 3PT%, steals, boards and assists. He's also shooting more than 20% better at the charity stripe.

    Beyond the statistic surge that Gotcher has experienced, it's his experience that has been so important this season. He had his career high in points against OSU and put the team on his back in the 2nd half.

    His senior leadership has allowed this team to get over the hump after the string of close losses in the middle of the season.

    It's the tenacity and judiciousness of his game that has brought this team to new heights, and certainly to the highest point of his career.

  • 3

    It's Tubby Time

    Tubby Smith rebuilt Tulsa and then took them to the NCAA Tournament in his 3rd year at the school.

    Smith then went to Georgia and took the Bulldogs to The Dance.

    Then Tubby went to Kentucky and went all the way in the tournament. He reached 100 wins faster than anyone at Kentucky before him except Coach Rupp. The guy their arena is named after. He won a coach of the year award for his services in 2003.

    Smith then went to Minnesota and took the Gophers to the Tournament multiple times before Minnesota fired him so they could miss the Tournament instead of making it.

    Tubby smith has his team in a great position. After the OU game he told his team they were where they belong. Tubby believes that his team will be a tournament team and that's a great reason they will be there.

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