The matchup is set. No. 11 Utah State will take on No. 6 Texas Tech in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The Aggies are looking for their first win in the Big Dance since 2001.

Here’s a look at their opponent:


Texas Tech Red Raiders

Texas Tech Red guard Clarence Nadolny, left, is covered by Texas guard Courtney Ramey, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Big 12 men’s tournament in Kansas City, Mo., Thursday, March 11, 2021. | Orlin Wagner, AP

Conference: Big 12

NET ranking: 16

Overall Record: 17-10

  • Quad 1: 4-10
  • Quad 2: 2-0
  • Quad 3: 3-0
  • Quad 4: 8-0
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Player to watch: Mac McClung

  • 15.7 points per game
  • 2.2 assists per game

Best win: 68-59 over No. 3-seeded Texas (21 NET ranking)

This is the 18th NCAA tournament appearance for the Red Raiders. They have made the tournament in four of the last five seasons under head coach Chris Beard. Texas Tech got to the national championship in 2019, losing 85-77 to Virginia. This season, the Red Raiders are 4-10 against Quad 1 teams, but are undefeated against all other teams. Texas Tech’s best victories this season are a pair of wins over No. 3-seeded Texas and a win over No. 8-seeded Oklahoma.

Texas Tech is led by guard Mac McClung, who is averaging 15.7 points per game, and guard Terrence Shannon Jr., who is averaging 12.7 points per game.

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