Men's Basketball Hosts Athletes First Thursday Night
November 15, 2000 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 15, 2000
The Texas Tech Red Raiders host Athletes First in the second and final exhibition game of the preseason on Thu., Nov. 16. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. (CT) at the United Spirit Arena in Lubbock.
Texas Tech Handles California All-Stars in First Exhibition
Cliff Owens and Andy Ellis each posted double-doubles in their return to the hardwood, leading Texas Tech to a 77-60 win over the California All-Stars Mon., Nov. 13. After missing last season due to injury, Owens led all scorers with 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the Red Raiders. Ellis, who played 14 games last season before injuring his shoulder at Nebraska, added 18 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.
Freshman Andre Emmett came off the bench and finished with 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the field, including 3-of-5 from three-point range. Moses Malone, Jr. added seven points, while Jamal Brown hit for six. Brown also added nine assists.
Ellis Named to All-Big 12 Teams
Texas Tech junior center Andy Ellis has been tabbed by three college basketball publications as a preseason All-Big 12 selection.
Ellis is listed as a second-team All-Big 12 selection by The Sporting News and Athlon Sports. Street and Smith's has Ellis listed as an All-Big 12 selection along with Jamaal Tinsley (Iowa State), Kimani Ffriend (Nebraska), Drew Gooden (Kansas) and Bernard King (Texas A&M).
Ellis, who injured his hand last month, averaged 16.9 points per game and 8.9 rebounds during the 1999-00 season before dislocating his left shoulder against Nebraska in the 14th game of the season that forced him to sit out the remainder of the year.
Experience Factor
The experience factor for the Texas Tech Red Raiders is low. With the loss of four senior starters from last season's squad, Texas Tech is looking to six returning players from last season's 12-16 team to lead the way. In addition to the six returning players - one of which didn't play last year (Owens) - the Red Raiders welcome six newcomers and two walk-ons.
The Red Raiders lost four of its top six scorers from a year ago, including All-Big 12 Second Team performer Rayford Young. Young led the team with 17.8 points per game. Tech's top returning scorer, besides Ellis, is Jayson Mitchell (7.5 ppg).
Red Raider Tickets For Sale
Season tickets for the 2000-01 Red Raider Basketball season are on sale through the Texas Tech Athletic Ticket Office. Prices for season tickets range from $80 to $176. Texas Tech also is offering six-game mini-packs for $75.
Single-game tickets will be available the day of the first regular-season game, Nov. 22. At that time, tickets also will be available on-line at www.texastech.com.