Texas Tech women’s basketball opens the Big 12 Tournament against Kansas State as the Lady Raiders chase revenge and a deep postseason run.
Texas Tech women’s basketball begins its Big 12 Tournament journey Thursday morning, and the Lady Raiders have more than just advancement on their minds.
Revenge is firmly on the table.
The No. 21 Texas Tech Lady Raiders enter the Big 12 Tournament as the No. 5 seed after a strong 25-6 season and a 12-6 finish in conference play. Their first opponent at Kansas City’s T-Mobile Center will be No. 12 seed Kansas State, a team that has given Tech plenty of trouble lately.
Kansas State holds a commanding edge in the all-time series and arrives on a four-game winning streak against Texas Tech, including a 65-59 win in Lubbock earlier this season that snapped the Lady Raiders’ electric 19-0 start.
That memory hasn’t faded.
Now the Lady Raiders have a chance to flip the script on one of their most frustrating recent opponents while pushing toward another deep run in the Big 12 Tournament.
Texas Tech is coming off one of its most successful conference campaigns in more than a decade. Head coach Krista Gerlich was rewarded for that turnaround, earning Big 12 Coach of the Year honors after guiding the program to its highest league finish since 2013.
The Lady Raiders also stacked up individual recognition across the roster.
Senior guard Bailey Maupin landed on the All-Big 12 First Team after a standout season, while Snudda Collins earned Sixth Player of the Year honors.
Collins has been one of the most productive reserves in the country, scoring 460 total points off the bench and averaging 14.8 points per game.
Junior Jalynn Bristow also grabbed All-Big 12 Honorable Mention recognition as Tech’s balanced lineup continues to drive the team’s success.
Kansas State enters Thursday’s matchup at 16-16 overall after rolling past Cincinnati in the opening round of the tournament. The Wildcats rely heavily on a trio of double-digit scorers led by Taryn Sides (12.5 points per game), Nastja Claessens (11.8), and Tess Heal (11.1).
The Wildcats average just over 70 points per game and shoot more than 35 percent from three-point range, meaning the Lady Raiders’ defense will have to stay sharp.
For Texas Tech, the path is clear.
Beat a familiar foe, keep the postseason momentum rolling, and take another step toward a championship run.