Tech sends Texas Tech to first Final Four in Red Raiders history

Tech sends Texas Tech to first Final Four in Red Raiders history.

Who would have ever thought that a technical foul would send the Texas Tech Red Raiders to the Final Four? We knew that their defense would certainly carry the way, and with the Red Raiders holding the Gonzaga Bulldogs 20 points below their season average, that swarming defense did its job. We knew that the Red Raiders had talent on offense and that they had guys who could get baskets when it was needed most. Well, the Red Raiders delivered on that, too.

Those two intangibles largely played a role in the Red Raiders get to their first Final Four appearance in school history, but a big assist goes to Gonzaga’s Josh Perkins, who reached over the line and hit the ball while it was being inbounded.

That resulted in a technical foul that gave the Red Raiders two shots and the ball, which finally sent Gonzaga home for the season. That technical foul was actually another critical intangible that went Texas Tech’s way at exactly the right moment.

With under a minute to play, it looked like the Red Raiders had finally pulled away from the Bulldogs, but Gonzaga hit a timely three and got a steal to pull to within two. It looked like the Red Raiders were going to choke this game away, and basketball destiny would not be on their side, however, Perkins committed the worse technical at the worst time, validating that the Gods were, indeed, on the Red Raiders side.

Now, Texas Tech is the first team to punch their ticket to the Final Four, and considering the run the endured to get here, they deserve to here.