Undefeated Texas Team Hits Big Milestone

^{January 13, 2025}

Hey, Hoophead!

Texas Tech has given women’s basketball a legend like Sheryl Swoopes, and the program’s legacy still echoes in big ways today. But beyond the history and accolades, the program seems to be stepping back into prominence. In today’s special edition, we dive into their story and how the new year hasn’t exactly started smoothly for everyone.

Uncharted Tech

Can you be honest with us for a second? When was the last time you stopped scrolling because of Texas Tech women’s basketball?

Exactly.

And yet, here we are. Every season has its headliners, and this year, the Lady Raiders are one of those teams you just can’t look away from. For a team that hadn’t been part of the field of 68 since 2013, they weren’t expected to do anything wild this season either.

But they’ve pulled off the unthinkable.

Texas Tech is one of just three unbeaten teams left this season, joining UConn and Vanderbilt. When they faced Houston today, the matchup had extra tension. Last December, things got super heated between the two teams, and players had to be separated.

This time, the meeting was just as thrilling, with Texas Tech pulling off a big win over Houston to tie the program’s single-season win streak record at 19. That’s insane. Any guesses when that last happened?

It was during the 1992–93 national championship season, a team that head coach Krista Gerlich herself was part of (led by Sheryl Swoopes). And while coaching has played a huge part, players like Bailey Maupin and Jalynn Bristow deserve major credit. No player in the Big 12 has increased their scoring average more than Bristow (3.7 to 12.8 points).

Now, sure, many would argue they didn’t face a ton of ranked teams in non-conference play, and yes, the schedule only gets tougher from here. But beating a ranked Baylor team showed they’re very much the real deal.

That’s what makes you hopeful. Maybe, just maybe, Texas Tech will finally hear its name called on Selection Sunday if this run keeps going.

Ranking Freefall

To start this year, we’ve seen major upsets, unexpected international arrivals, and injuries that couldn’t have come at a worse time. But for two programs in particular, it’s been nothing short of hell.

Yes, we’re talking about the Iowa State Cyclones and the USC Trojans. Both teams have been wrecked by injuries since the start of the new year, and it has taken a serious toll on their rankings.

Both teams have lost their last three, and as a result, Iowa State went from No. 11 all the way down to No. 19, and USC isn’t even ranked anymore.

Iowa State entered its last two games short-handed, already without Addy Brown, and then losing Ariana Jackson during the Cincinnati matchup. Any program would struggle after losing two starters, but when one of them is one of the most versatile players in college basketball, it hurts even more.

The head coach’s update only added to the growing concerns.

But all is not lost. ISU takes on Colorado on Wednesday, and the predictions tilt in their favor. But three big questions remain:

• Who can step up to match Jackson’s intense defense and Brown’s versatility?

• What will the starting lineup look like?

• And how will they find new ways to get Crooks the ball?

Meanwhile, USC finds itself dealing with the same kind of nightmare, losing Kennedy Smith to a lower leg injury. As she remains day-to-day, for a USC program that has already lost six games, the upcoming stretch will determine whether it can make a real case for the field of 68.

USC has No. 12 Maryland, No. 15 Michigan State, No. 8 Michigan, and No. 11 Iowa coming up, a stretch that could end up deciding the NCAA Tournament fate of Jazzy Davidson and co. First up, against Maryland, the Trojans will need to lock down the boards. USC ranks 123rd in rebounding, while the Terrapins are 18th.

Controlling the glass could be the difference.