Texas Tech University Athletics
Red Raiders Selected as Big 12 Preseason Favorite
January 30, 2020 | Baseball
Texas Tech tops the Big 12 Preseason Coaches Poll for the third straight year.
LUBBOCK, Texas – The Big 12 coaches have spoken, and Texas Tech has been picked to finish atop the conference standings for the third straight year, the league office announced today with the release of the Big 12 Preseason Coaches Poll.
The Red Raiders received 62 points after a vote by the conference coaches, with six out of nine first place votes. Tech topped the poll for third straight year, joining TCU and Texas as the only teams in league history to top the preseason poll in three or more consecutive seasons.
With four College World Series appearances in the last six seasons, Tech has been voted to finish in the top four of the last six preseason polls. In 2018, it was picked as the preseason favorite for the first time since 1999. The Red Raiders were chosen third in 2017, second in 2016 and fourth in 2015.
The announcement comes a day after Texas Tech led the Big 12 with six selections to the preseason All-Big 12 team. Junior Dylan Neuse was one of three unanimous selections from around the conference. He was joined by preseason All-American Brian Klein, junior catcher Braxton Fulford and three members of the pitching staff in John McMillon, Micah Dallas and Clayton Beeter.
The Red Raiders have collected high praise nationally as well with 2020 marking the third straight season Tech opens as high as No. 3 in the preseason rankings. Tech was slotted at No. 3 by the USA Today Coaches Poll, Collegiate Baseball Newspaper and Perfect Game. Meanwhile, D1Baseball and Baseball America have placed Tech at No. 6.
Texas Tech returns 20 letterwinners from last year's Big 12 Championship squad that finished at No. 4 in the final polls. Two-thirds of its weekend rotation returns along with a stable of powerful bullpen pieces. Offensively, Tech returns the majority of its depth from last season and welcomes a talented group of newcomers.
Opening Day is set for Friday, Feb. 14, at 1 p.m. against Houston Baptist. The matchup launches a four-game weekend for Tech as they host HBU for two games Friday and Saturday before facing Northern Colorado on Saturday and Sunday.
Individual game tickets are now on sale. Tickets can be purchased on TexasTech.com at this link, or over the phone at 806-742-TECH (8324). Fans can also purchase in person by visiting the Texas Tech Ticket Office, which is located on the east side of Jones AT&T Stadium.
For all things Texas Tech Baseball, be sure to follow @TTU_Baseball on Twitter and Instagram and like the team on Facebook. Visit www.TexasTech.com for news, roster and schedule info and more.
The coaches have spoken.
— Texas Tech Baseball (@TTU_Baseball) January 30, 2020
For the third straight year, we've been selected as the preseason favorite in the Big 12.
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