Having just won its 20th game of the season, Iowa State has solidly positioned itself for a bid in the NCAA Tournament.

For Texas Tech, the postseason picture remains hazy.

At 5-8 in the Big 12 and only three games remaining, Texas Tech is teetering on the edge of the tournament bubble.

How the Red Raiders fare in their last three games will play a crucial role in deciding its postseason fate, starting with their Saturday match-up against the Cyclones.

“I think Texas Tech is playing this game as a play-in game to the NCAA tournament,” said coach Bill Fennelly.

Although wins against Texas A&M and Texas highlight their resume, the Red Raiders’ inconsistency — they have not won consecutive games in the Big 12 — has put the team in a must-win situation.

Understanding the importance Saturday’s game for Texas Tech, Fennelly said, is vital to the Cyclones’ preparation to travel to Lubbock, Texas.

“Part of going on the road is knowing what you’re walking into. Not just the environment, not just the team, not just the travel, but the mood of the team,” Fennelly said.

Texas Tech can be comforted by the fact that the game is at home, where the Red Raiders’ average attendance (8,617) is surpassed by only Iowa State and Oklahoma in the Big 12. 

Preventing the Red Raiders from gaining too much momentum from the crowd becomes a determining factor in the games’ outcome.

“You almost hope teams get overexcited and over hyped and press a bit,” Fennelly said. “You’ve got to avoid the early knockout.”

With Texas Tech being the first of two road games in four days, Iowa State has a limited window in which to ready its self for its final road test of the season.

“We don’t have that much turnaround time, it’s going to take a lot of mental preparation. A lot of focus,” said senior Amanda Nisleit.

A win at Texas Tech and at Missouri on Tuesday would give the Cyclones a 4-4 Big 12 road record. Iowa State has had a 3-5 record on the road in its last three seasons.

“That would be a great accomplishment, it just doesn’t happen very often,” Fennelly said. “If you can win half your road games, and with the way teams are playing at home, you’re going to have a very good record. And you’re going to be playing beyond the end of the season.”