Texas Tech University Athletics
Red Raiders Host Tigers on Thursday at 7 PM
November 18, 2008 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 18, 2008
After two opening wins at home against Saint Francis (PA) and Sam Houston State, the Red Raiders host the Tigers of East Central University from Ada, Oklahoma on Thursday at 7PM.
Overall, Texas Tech leads the series against ECU, 3-1. The Red Raiders lead the series in Lubbock 1-0 and have a 2-1 edge when the teams have played in Ada, Oklahoma. The teams are meeting for the first time since 1980 when Gerald Myers was the head coach.
Thursday's game is the first round game of the Lubbock Regional in the Legends Classic sponsored by The Gazelle Group. The second round of the Legends Classic will feature Texas Tech and the Eastern Kentucky Colonels at 1:00 PM (CT) on Saturday, November 22. Neither of these games is scheduled for television by The Gazelle Group.
Twelve teams compete in this early-season event, hosted at on-campus arenas throughout the country. Four of college basketball's top teams (Texas Tech, Pittsburgh, Washington State, and Mississippi State) from the nation's most prestigious conferences tip off the 2008-2009 season with Regional Round games on their home courts before going to the New York metropolitan area to face each other for the Legends Classic tournament championship at the Prudential Center. The other participants will advance to play a round-robin series at a campus site over a three-day period.
In addition to displaying some of the nation's premier teams, the Legends Classic was also established to honor former players and coaches from the participating teams that have made a significant contribution to the sport. The "Legends" will be recognized annually at the event.
Former Texas Tech player, coach, and now, Director of Athletics, Gerald Myers will be honored as a "Legend" at Thursday's game. He was a standout player for Coach Polk Robison for three years, the Red Raider head coach for 20.5 seasons in which he won 326 games - the highest among all Raider basketball coaches, and has served the university and the Texas Tech community as Director of Athletics for 12 years.
Liam Gallagher of the Gazelle Group will present Coach Myers with his award during halftime of the Texas Tech - East Central contest.
Mark Finkner will call Thursday's courtside action along with analyst Corky Oglesby on the Texas Tech Sports Network local station KKAM-AM 1340.
The Texas Tech Athletic Ticket Office is now offering special weekend and weekday ticket packages for the men's and women's 2008-2009 seasons. For those fans excited and anticipating the upcoming seasons who just can't make it to every game, Texas Tech's new ticket packages may be just the right fit.
To become a 2008-2009 season ticket holder or to purchase weekend and weekday tickets for Men's Basketball games at the United Spirit Arena, please call (888) GO-BIG-12 or (806) 742-TECH or stop by the Texas Tech Athletic Ticket Office in the north end of Jones AT&T Stadium.
