Texas Tech Basketball: How Red Raiders reached the 2019 Final Four

Tournament Results

Northern Kentucky

In the first round of the tournament, Texas Tech took on fourteen seed Northern Kentucky. The Norse looked sharp in the Horizon League, but proved no match for Texas Tech, as the Red Raiders won safely 72-57.

Jarrett Culver led the way with 29 points, as the Red Raiders used a keen combination of timely shooting and energy-filled defense to avoid an upset.

Buffalo

In a fairly popular upset pick against six seed Buffalo, Texas Tech came out with much of the same energy, winning by 20 against the Bulls, who were ranked for most of the season.

Culver again led with 16 points, but it was more of a team effort this time, as Texas Tech had all five starters score in double digits, carrying a single-digit lead into half time, but turning it into a massive blowout win.

Michigan

In the first game of the tournament in which Texas Tech was not favored, the Red Raiders looked every bit a National Championship contender, pulling off one of the most impressive defensive performances in recent memory, holding Michigan to just 44 points, including just 16 points in the first half, winning 63-44.

Culver scored 22 points, but the Red Raiders had an easy path to the Elite Eight, not needed a superstar performance out of anyone, as their defense went off in the ballgame.

Gonzaga

In their most difficult game of the tournament, Texas Tech knocked off the one-seeded Gonzaga Bulldogs. The game was back-and-forth throughout, as Texas Tech entered the second half trailing. Texas Tech used a solid game from Culver, coupled with a late hot streak by Davide Moretti, and big defense down the stretch to defeat the heavily-favored Zags, and clinch a Final Four trip.