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Texas Tech Lady Raiders Stay in AP Poll Ahead of NCAA Tournament
Tech drops four spots to No. 25 after Big 12 Tournament loss, but earns 11th straight week in rankings.
Published on Mar. 9, 2026
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The Texas Tech Lady Raiders women's basketball team will head into the NCAA Tournament ranked, falling four spots to No. 25 in the latest AP poll after a round two loss in the Big 12 Tournament. This marks the 11th straight week they have been ranked, and comes on the heels of a season that saw the Lady Raiders make a major leap in both offensive and defensive efficiency.
Why it matters
Texas Tech's sustained ranking and improved performance this season signals the continued growth and development of the program under head coach Krista Gerlich. The Lady Raiders are looking to make their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2013, and their ability to remain in the Top 25 despite a tough tournament loss shows their resilience and the respect they've earned nationally.
The details
The Lady Raiders dropped a heartbreaker to Kansas State in the Big 12 Tournament, but they finished the season as one of the most improved programs in the nation. Tech moved from 15th to 6th in adjusted offense, the largest jump in the Big 12, while also making the second largest defensive improvement in the conference. Individually, the Lady Raiders had three players ranked among the top 10 most improved in the Big 12 according to the RAPM metric, led by Jalynn Bristow at #1.
- Texas Tech women's basketball has been ranked for 11 consecutive weeks.
- The Lady Raiders lost in the round two of the Big 12 Tournament on Thursday.
The players
Krista Gerlich
The head coach of the Texas Tech Lady Raiders women's basketball team.
Jalynn Bristow
A Texas Tech player who was ranked as the #1 most improved in the Big 12 according to the RAPM metric.
Denae Fritz
A Texas Tech player who was ranked as the 4th most improved in the Big 12 according to the RAPM metric.
Gemma Núñez
A Texas Tech player who was ranked as the 8th most improved in the Big 12 according to the RAPM metric.
What’s next
Texas Tech will await their NCAA Tournament selection on Selection Sunday.
The takeaway
Despite a tough loss in the Big 12 Tournament, the Texas Tech Lady Raiders have proven themselves to be one of the most improved teams in the nation this season. Their sustained ranking and individual player development suggest the program is headed in the right direction under Krista Gerlich's leadership as they prepare to make their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2013.
