When I think about this game, it’s wild to me that both of these schools would make it to the Final Four less than 3 years after this game was played. At the time, the Red Raiders were led by 1st year Head Coach Chris Beard and needless to say, Beard has done quite well so far in Lubbock.
Auburn and Texas Tech faced off in the semifinals of the Cancun Challenge. This game also provides us the signature moment of LaRon Smith’s year on the Plains. With the Tigers up 2 in the closing seconds, Smith blocked a potential game-tying shot by Texas Tech and the ensuing desperation heave was off target as Auburn earned their best win of the early season in the first game of the Cancun Challenge in Mexico.