NCAA tournament draw has Tulsa-bound Texas Tech believing in potential Final Four run

Before answering questions about the NCAA tournament and a No. 3 seed and a first-round Friday matchup with Northern Kentucky, Texas Tech coach Chris Beard took a moment with his players Sunday.

"There's something sacred about just being in the locker room, just the guys who have been on this journey together," Beard said afterward. "First we just kind of reflected. We've worked hard for this. It's something we've talked about since spring recruiting, summer workouts, fall preseason, the ups-and-downs - just trying to get in this tournament. We never take it for granted."

Not long ago, Tech was in the midst of a nine-year NCAA drought. Now the Red Raiders are making their third appearance in…