Texas Tech's Adlee Blacklock sees similarities with Oregon State run

Lady Raiders guard had 'deja vu' from overlooked team's surprise March Madness berth

Mar. 20, 2026 at 9:04am

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Adlee Blacklock, a senior guard for the Texas Tech women's basketball team, sees parallels between this year's Lady Raiders squad and her previous team at Oregon State. Both were overlooked and picked to finish near the bottom of their respective conferences, but ended up making surprise NCAA Tournament runs. Blacklock is excited to be part of Texas Tech's first NCAA Tournament appearance in 13 years.

Why it matters

Blacklock's experience of being on an underestimated team that exceeds expectations provides valuable perspective for the Lady Raiders as they enter the NCAA Tournament. Her leadership and familiarity with this type of underdog story could help guide Texas Tech to similar March Madness success.

The details

Blacklock had a similar experience in her second season at Oregon State, when the Beavers were picked to finish near the bottom of the Pac-12 but ended up making the Elite Eight. This year, Texas Tech was voted 13th in the preseason Big 12 poll but finished tied for fourth in the conference. Blacklock said she told Texas Tech coach Krista Gerlich that she was "bought in to whatever you're building here" and believed Gerlich could turn the program around.

  • Blacklock's Oregon State team missed the NCAA Tournament in her freshman year, then made a surprise run to the Elite Eight in her sophomore season.
  • Texas Tech is making its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 13 years.

The players

Adlee Blacklock

A senior guard for the Texas Tech women's basketball team who previously played at Oregon State, where she experienced a similar underdog story.

Krista Gerlich

The head coach of the Texas Tech women's basketball team who recruited Blacklock to join the Lady Raiders.

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What they’re saying

“I have a lot of deja vu from this year. My Oregon State team, we missed the tournament my freshman year. Then sophomore year, we were picked third-to-last in the conference. We ended up finishing fourth in the conference.”

— Adlee Blacklock, Senior guard, Texas Tech women's basketball

“I know what it's like to be on a team that doesn't necessarily have success, but I can see how quickly it can turn around with the right people and the right people that are bought in. I remember telling her I'm bought in to whatever you're building here, and I believed that she could do it.”

— Adlee Blacklock, Senior guard, Texas Tech women's basketball

What’s next

The Texas Tech women's basketball team will open the NCAA Tournament against Villanova on Friday.

The takeaway

Adlee Blacklock's experience of being on an overlooked team that exceeded expectations at Oregon State has prepared her to help guide the Texas Tech Lady Raiders on a similar underdog journey in this year's NCAA Tournament.