One year ago, Texas Tech basketball fans were miffed when the Red Raiders entered the season unranked after reaching the Elite 8. What’s worse, Chris Beard’s team was picked to finish just seventh in its own conference. The team was able to use those slights as fuel during their memorable run to the National Title Game. But this year, Beard’s team will have to find their fuel somewhere else.
That’s because the Red Raiders are being given the benefit of the doubt this time around. Monday, the first A.P. poll of the year was released and the defending co-Big 12 champions can be found at No.