Red Raiders Prepare For Southwest Texas

Dec. 20, 1999

Texas Tech vs. Southwest Texas

Tue., Dec. 21, 1999 -- 7 p.m.
Lubbock, Texas / United Spirit Arena

RED RAIDERS HOST SOUTHWEST TEXAS

Texas Tech hosts Southwest Texas State Tue., Dec. 21, before taking a few days off for Christmas. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. (CT) at the United Spirit Arena.

LISTENING IN

The All Sports Radio Network will air Wednesday night's game, beginning at 6:35 p.m. (CT). The network carries nine affiliates across West Texas, including flagship station KKAM 1340 in Lubbock. Broadcasting veteran Jack Dale (play-by-play), in his 47th season, calls the action.

RED RAIDER SCOUTING REPORT

Texas Tech looks to rebound against Southwest Texas State after dropping an 84-75 decision at New Mexico State last Friday night. Rayford Young continues to lead the team in scoring at 19.4 points per game. Andy Ellis and Mario Layne follow with 16.7 and 13.4 points, respectively, while Layne is hitting a team-best 53.8 percent from the field. James Ware is the fourth Red Raider and starter to average in double figures on the season with 11.4 points per outing. Brodney Kennard averages 8.9 rebounds, while Ellis follows with seven per game. The Red Raiders are shooting 48.9 percent from the field and 41.6 percent from three land. Tech leads the Big 12 from the foul line with a 75.6 percent success rate. Red Raider opponents are being held to 38.6 percent from the field. Tech leads the Big 12 in three-point percentage defense, allowing only 28.3 percent on the season. The opposition has the edge on the boards by 2.7 rebounds per game.

PROBABLE STARTERS

TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS

G   03   Rayford Young (5-11, Sr., Pampa, Texas)G   05   James Ware (6-5, Sr., Minneapolis, Minn.)C   55   Andy Ellis (6-11, So., Lamesa, Texas)F   33   Brodney Kennard (6-8, Sr., Fort Worth, Texas)F   14   Mario Layne (6-7, Sr., St. Michael, Barbados)

SOUTHWEST TEXAS STATE

G   10   Manny Flores (6-0, Jr., El Paso, Texas)G   32   Brady Richeson (5-11, Fr., Mesa, Ariz.)C   44   Byron Hobbs (6-7, So., West Columbia, Texas)F   33   Brendon Polyblank (6-5, Jr., Wellington, N.Z.)F   34   Jason Blair (6-6, So., Phoenix, Ariz.)

SCOUTING REPORT - SOUTHWEST TEXAS STATE

Southwest Texas State enters the game with a 3-4 record and is on a two-game losing streak. Jason Blair leads the Bobcats with 13.7 points per game as the only SWT player averaging in double figures. Wesley Williams follows with 9.9 points. Blair and Byron Hobbs lead the team with 7.0 rebounds per game each. The Bobcats are shooting 42.4 percent from the field and 34.3 percent from three-point range. Southwest Texas averages 65.3 points per game, narrowly trailing the opposition on the season by a 1.1 point margin. Opponents are shooting 43.7 percent from the field.

TEXAS TECH-SOUTHWEST TEXAS: HEAD-TO-HEAD

Category	Tech	SWT
Record	5-2	3-4
Points per game	79.0	65.3
Points allowed per game	69.9	66.4
Rebounds per game	37.4	33.7
Rebounds allowed per game	40.1	34.7
FG Percentage	.489	.424
FG Percentage Defense	.386	.437
3-PT Percentage	.416	.343
3-PT Percentage Defense	.283	.319
FT Percentage	.756	.658
Turnovers per game	15.6	13.7

TEXAS TECH HEAD COACH JAMES DICKEY

Texas Tech Head Coach James Dickey is in his ninth season as the Red Raider mentor with a 150-91 overall record. Dickey has guided the Red Raiders to two NCAA Tournaments, including 1996's Sweet Sixteen appearance. Tech also has made a trip to the NIT under Dickey. He is third all-time at the University with 150 wins, trailing Gerald Myers (326 wins / 1971-91) and Polk Robison (254 wins / 1942-46, 47-61). The Red Raiders won the SWC regular-season title in 1995 and tied for the honor the following season. He became only the second coach in Texas Tech history to take a team through an undefeated conference season, when the Red Raiders finished 14-0 in the SWC in 1996. He also holds the distinction of the being the only coach in school history to record a 30-win season (1995-96). He is a two-time Southwest Conference Coach of the Year.

DICKEY SECURES 150TH WIN

James Dickey secured his 150th career victory as head coach at Texas Tech when the Red Raiders knocked off Stephen F. Austin 80-56 in Nacogdoches Wed., Dec. 8. His overall record is 150-90. Other milestone wins:

WIN #   OPPONENT  1     vs. Northern Illinois (Nov. 25, 1991) 50     vs. Houston (March 10, 1994)100     vs. North Carolina (March 17, 1996)150     vs. Stephen F. Austin (Dec. 8, 1999)

SOUTHWEST TEXAS HEAD COACH MIKE MILLER

Mike Miller is in his sixth season as head coach at Southwest Texas State and has a 79-66 overall record at the school. During his tenure as head coach, Miller has led the Bobcats to two Southland Conference championships in the last three seasons, and was named SLC Coach of the Year in 1997. Miller was previously an assistant for three seasons at Southwest Texas State following assistant coaching stops at Sam Houston State and Western Illinois.

TECH VS. SOUTHWEST TEXAS: HEAD-TO-HEAD

Despite residing in the same state, these two team have never met. This is the first meeting.

TEXAS TECH 26-2 VS. THE SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE

Texas Tech has played 28 games against nine members of the current 11-member Southland Conference. The Red Raiders have not faced Southeastern Louisiana and Southwest Texas State.

SCHOOL	RECORD
Lamar	1-0
Louisiana-Monroe	1-0
McNeese State	1-0
Nicholls State	3-0
Northwestern Louisiana	1-0
Sam Houston State	4-0
Stephen F. Austin	8-1
UT-Arlington	4-0
UT-San Antonio	3-1
TOTALS	26-2 (.929)

TEXAS TECH VS. 1999-2000 LONE STAR OPPONENTS

Texas Tech has posted an overall 211-145 (.592) mark against teams on this season's schedule from the state of Texas. The Red Raiders hold all-time winning marks against Baylor (61-36), North Texas (9-5), Prairie View A&M (3-0), Texas-El Paso (29-11), Texas A&M-CC (1-0), Stephen F. Austin (8-1) and Texas A&M (52-46). Tech trails Texas (51-50). Southwest Texas is a first-time opponents.

VOTE GETTERS

Despite falling on the road at New Mexico State Friday night, the Red Raiders received their first votes of the season in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll. Tech received six votes.

NOTING THE NEW MEXICO STATE GAME

The loss ended Tech's five-game winning streak, including three-straight on the road.
Despite the loss, Tech hit 48.4 percent from the field and 61.5 percent from three-point range.
Tech, which led the Big 12 in free throw shooting last week, struggled at the line against New Mexico State, connecting on 7-of-16 for 43.8 percent.
Rayford Young continued his torrid scoring pace on the road, hitting for a team-high 26 points on 10-of-18 shooting, including 4-of-5 from three. In four road games this season, Young is averaging 22.3 points per game, compared to only 15.7 points at home.
Brodney Kennard posted his third double digit rebound game of the season with 11 boards.
The loss ended a string of six-straight wins over the Aggies.

RED RAIDERS BY THE NUMBERS

Rayford Young - Young is currently 16th on the all-time scoring chart at Texas Tech with 1,154 career points - began the season at 24th on the list - ranks 11th all-time with 312 career assists and needs 24 to break the top five - fourth all-time with 134 steals - ranks eighth with 127 made three-pointers and sixth with 318 three-point attempts - currently leads the team with 19.4 points per game - shooting 85.3 percent from the foul line on the season and 83.8 during career - has started every game this season.

Brodney Kennard - Kennard is eighth all-time with 54 career blocks, including 17 already this season - if he keeps his current pace (2.5 bpg), he will finish third all-time at Tech - has three double-figure rebounding games this season with 11 against Indiana, 10 against North Texas and 11 at New Mexico State - has led the team in rebounding in five of seven games - averaging 8.9 rebounds per game after picking up only 4.3 a year ago - tied his career-high of 12 points at UTEP - career-high five blocks at Stephen F. Austin - has started every game this season.

Andy Ellis - Ellis posted his third career double-double against Stephen F. Austin with 24 points and 10 rebounds - he got his first last season against Kansas and his second in the opener this season against Indiana with a career-high 30 points and 10 boards - second on the team with 16.7 points per game and second with 7.0 rebounds - hitting 52.4 percent from the field and 78.4 percent from the foul line - has started every game this season.

James Ware - Scored a career-high 23 points and recorded his first collegiate dunk at Texas A&M-CC earlier this season - knocked down 4-of-5 from three range and hit 8-of-11 overall from the field in that game - leads the Big 12 Conference with a 93.8 percentage from the foul line - has started every game this season.

Mario Layne - Layne leads the team from the field, hitting 53.8 percent of his shots - averaging 13.4 points per game - has started every game this season.

TECH HOSTS WEEKLY BLOCK PARTY

Behind Brodney Kennard's team-leading 17 blocks, the Red Raiders have 36 rejections this season, while the opposition has managed only 16 blocks.

OVER/UNDER

Texas Tech has shot over 50 percent from the field in four games this season, but is averaging 48.9 percent on the season.

ONLY TWO MORE CHANCES TO SEE TECH AT HOME...

...during this millennium! The Red Raiders host Southwest Texas State (Dec. 21) and Oral Roberts (Dec. 29) for the final home games of the millennium.

NMSU ENDS TECH STREAK

Following Texas Tech's season-opening loss to Indiana, the Red Raiders rattled off five-straight wins, until dropping last Friday night's game at New Mexico State.

TECH TOPS LAST SEASON'S ROAD WIN TOTAL

Texas Tech's three road wins this season top last year's two wins the Red Raiders got all season away from home. The Red Raiders are 3-1 on the road this year.

YOUNG MAKING STEADY MOVE UP CHARTS

Rayford Young has moved up a spot per game on the career scoring charts. Young, currently at 16th with 1,154 career points.

1-2 PUNCH

Senior guards James Ware and Rayford Young rank No. 1 and 3, respectively, in the Big 12 in free throw shooting. Ware has connected on 15-of-16 from the line for 93.8 percent, while Young is 29-of-34 for 85.3 percent.

THIRTY-SOMETHING

Sophomore center Andy Ellis became the 28th player in the Red Raiders' 399-player history to score 30 points or more in game when he hit for 30 against Indiana. It marked the 73rd time that the 30-point plateau has been broken by a Red Raider.

MALONE READY TO PLAY

Sophomore forward/guard Moses Malone, Jr. is eligible, but missed the New Mexico State game with a foot injury. Malone has been sitting out due to transfer rules. He transferred from the University of Houston at the semester break last season.

NEW ADDITION

Texas Tech added some much needed depth at the post position with the addition of Josh Faltesek. The 6-foot-8, 240-pound freshman is immediately eligible. Faltesek joined the team following finals last week. He attended a junior college in Amarillo during the fall semester, but did not compete with the basketball team there. Faltesek prepped at Amarillo High School.

THIS SEASON MARKS 75TH IN PROGRAM'S HISTORY

The 1999-2000 season is the 75th in the history of the Red Raiders men's basketball program. The school began the program prior to the 1925-26 season. Tech's first game was a 37-25 loss to Daniel Baker on Jan. 25, 1926. The first win was a 35-21 victory at Sul Ross State on Feb. 4 of the same season. Now in their 75th season, the Red Raiders hold an overall record of 1,089-804 (.576).

TEXAS TECH VS. THE BIG 12

Texas Tech has faced the member institutions of the Big 12 on 402 occasions. Tech played its 400th game against a current Big 12 opponent with a 90-84 home win over Kansas Feb. 13, 1999. Here are Texas Tech's series record with each of the Big 12 schools:

Baylor	61-36
Colorado	4-12
Iowa State	1-5
Kansas	1-9
Kansas State	4-8
Missouri	3-3
Nebraska	6-8
Oklahoma	10-13
Oklahoma State	6-13
Texas	50-51
Texas A&M	52-46
TOTALS	198-204 (.493)

PACK'EM IN

Texas Tech's sellout crowd of 15,050 against Indiana at the inaugural game in the United Spirit Arena marked the largest home crowd in school history to witness a Red Raider basketball game.

PRIME TIME

Texas Tech christened the United Spirit Arena in front a live national audience on ESPN Fri., Nov. 19, when the Red Raiders host Big Ten power Indiana in the season opener for both teams. The Red Raiders also play the following games on television:

Date	Opponent	Network
J8	at Oklahoma State	ESPN+
J15	Texas A&M	FOX
J22	Texas	FOX
J29	Oklahoma	ESPN+
F5	at Kansas	ESPN+
F19	at Texas A&M	ESPN+
F23	at Oklahoma	ESPN+
F26	Kansas State	ESPN+
M4	at Colorado	ESPN+

M*A*S*H

Texas Tech was severely bitten by the injury bug last season with on-and-off injuries to Rayford Young, Stan Bonewitz and Cliff Owens. This season, Cliff Owens is out indefinitely following ankle surgery in September. University of Houston transfer Moses Malone, Jr. suffered a stress fracture to his left foot during the preseason, but should be ready to play by the Southwest Texas game Dec. 21.

HOME SCHEDULE

The Red Raiders play host to 17 home games, including the two exhibitions.

In addition to Indiana, Tech hosts North Texas, Louisiana-Lafayette, Southwest Texas State, Oral Roberts, Prairie View A&M and Centenary in non-conference home games. In Big 12 action, Texas A&M, Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Baylor, Missouri, Kansas State and Iowa State all visit the confines of the United Spirit Arena.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

The Red Raiders make 12 road trips this season, including eight in Big 12 Conference play. Tech faces Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Texas-El Paso, Stephen F. Austin and New Mexico State in non-conference action away from home. Oklahoma State, Nebraska, Baylor, Kansas, Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Colorado dot the Big 12 road slate.

BACK TO 1900

Despite the rapid approach of the upcoming millennium, Texas Tech is not quite on course to play its 2,000th game in the program's history. The Red Raiders' home game against Texas on Jan. 22 will mark the 1900th game in the 75-year history of the program.

WINNING IN THE 90s

Texas Tech has won 157 of 289 games (54.4 percent) played so far this decade. The winningest decade came during the 70s when the Red Raiders won 174 games. Here's a rundown of the top five decades for wins: 1970s (174), 1990s (157), 1980s (153), 1950s (146), 1940s (143).

RED RAIDERS INK THREE PLAYERS IN EARLY PERIOD

Texas Tech signed three players to national letters of intent during the early signing period - Marcus Shropshire (Grand Prairie, Texas / South Grand Prairie H.S), Jamal Brown (Dallas, Texas / Fort Scott C.C.) and Jermichael Miller (Houston, Texas / Wheatley). Shropshire is considered the No. 1 senior guard prospect in the state and the No. 5 player overall.

RAIDERS FIND PERFECTION IN THE PRESEASON

The Red Raiders finished the preseason with a 2-0 record, marking the eighth time in head coach James Dickey's career that Texas Tech has finished the preseason unscathed. Dickey is 17-1 all-time in nine seasons in exhibition games, with the only loss coming last season. Tech knocked off the Arkansas Express 68-60 and defeated Global Sports 90-80.

WORLD WIDE WEB

Information concerning Texas Tech basketball and the University's 17 intercollegiate sports can be accessed through www.texastech.com. Red Raiders fans also can listen to the live broadcasts of Texas Tech basketball through the website.

Texas Tech University Athletics