At the end of the year, everyone thought Texas Tech would be in 10th place. But they are going to the NCAA Tournament, and all under the guidance of coach Tubby Smith.

Smith and the Red Raiders went 19-11, going 9-9 in the Big 12 after only winning three conference games last season. The team also won three consecutive games against Top 25 teams for the first time in school history.

They're going to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2006-07, and they did it all against the best conference in the nation.

Smith is the first Texas Tech coach to win the Big 12 Coach of the Year honor. He also received Legends of Coaching Award back in October.

The award marks the sixth conference coach of the year selection for Smith, who was the three-time SEC Coach of the Year at Kentucky (1998, 2003, 2005) and two-time Missouri Valley Coach of the Year at Tulsa (1994, 1995).

[Source: Texastech.com]

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