Texas Tech University Athletics
Red Raiders Prepare For First Preseason Game
November 08, 1999 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 8, 1999
SEASON TUNE-UP SET FOR THURSDAY
Texas Tech hoops faithful get their first chance to see the 1999-2000 Red Raiders in action Thur., Nov. 11, at 7 p.m. at the Lubbock Municipal Coliseum. The Red Raiders host the Arkansas Express in the first of two exhibition games for Tech.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets for the two exhibition games are $5 and are general admission. Tickets can be purchased at the door prior to the game. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. each evening.
RADIO/TELEVISION
There will be no radio or television for the two preseason games played in the Lubbock Municipal Coliseum.
OPPOSITION AT A GLANCE
The Arkansas Express is 0-1 (65-50 loss at Mississippi State) entering a Monday night game at Arkansas State. Freddie Morgan hit for 18 points against MSU and buried 6-of-9 from three-point range. Mike Coleman added 12 points and a team-high five rebounds in the loss. The Express hit 40.4 percent from the field, but yielded 53.1 percent shooting to the Bulldogs. MSU also outhustled the Express on the boards, claiming the battle 36-20.
THE ARKANSAS EXPRESS SERIES
The Red Raiders and the Arkansas Express have met on two previous occasions, both Red Raider victories. Texas Tech won the initial meeting 70-59 (Nov. 13, 1997) and took an 80-73 win last season (Nov. 10, 1998).
DICKEY IN PRESEASON EXHIBITION GAMES
During Head Coach James Dickey's eight previous seasons at Texas Tech, the Red Raiders are 15-1 in preseason exhibition games. The lone loss came last season to Global Sports, Tech's upcoming opponent Nov. 15.
HEAD COACH JAMES DICKEY
Texas Tech Head Coach James Dickey is entering his ninth season as the Red Raider mentor with a 145-89 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 145 wins, trailing Gerald Myers (326 wins / 1971-91) and Polk Robison (254 wins / 1942-46, 47-61). The Red Raiders won the Southwest Conference 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 final season of the Southwest Conference 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.
REGULAR-SEASON OPENER
The 1999-2000 regular season tips off Fri., Nov. 19, at 8 p.m. (CT) when the Red Raiders host Big 10 perennial power Indiana on ESPN. The opener marks the third meeting between the two schools with the Hoosiers holding a 2-0 advantage. 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 conference road slate.
THIS SEASON MARKS THE 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. During Texas Tech's previous 74 season, the Red Raiders hold an overall record of 1,079-806 (.572).
NOT SO FAST
Don't be so quick in putting the memories of the Lubbock Municipal Coliseum in the past. Texas Tech faces the Arkansas Express and Global Sports in its two preseason exhibition games in the "Bubble," while the final wrinkles are ironed out at the United Spirit Arena. The Red Raiders will officially open the Arena against Indiana Fri., Nov. 19, at 8 p.m. in a nationally-televised contest on ESPN.
PRIME TIME
Texas Tech will christen the United Spirit Arena in front a live national audience on ESPN Fri., Nov. 19, at 7 p.m., 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 N19 Indiana ESPN 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+
ESPN+ is a regional telecast.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Texas Tech returns 80 percent (1,689 of 2,109 points) of its scoring from last season and 86 percent of its rebounding. Rayford Young (16.1 ppg / 3.9 apg) and Andy Ellis (9.0 ppg / 4.9 rpg) are the top two returnees for the Red Raiders.
PRACTICE SCHEDULE FOR WEEK OF 11/8
The Red Raiders continue preseason workouts this week in preparation for the start of the 1999-2000 season. Tech practices will take place in the Athletic Training Center (ATC) and run approximately three hours during the afternoons. Here is a rundown of this week's schedule:
Monday, November 8 3:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 9 3:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 10 3:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, November 11 GAME DAY Friday, November 12 NCAA Mandatory Day Off Saturday, November 13 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, November 14 1-4 p.m.
YOUNG TOUTED EARLY
Senior guard Rayford Young has been mentioned in several preseason publications as one of the top guard in the Big 12 Conference. He is listed beside Keyon Dooling (Missouri) and Jeff Boschee (Kansas) as one of the top three guards in the league by CNN/SI. Young led the Red Raiders in scoring last season with 16.1 points per game and was the Big 12's top free throw shooter with a 87.7 percent success rate. He finished the 1998-99 campaign as the league's fifth-leading scorer.
WINNING IN THE 90s
Texas Tech has won 153 of 283 games (54.1 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), 1980s (153), 1990s (153), 1950s (146), 1940s (143).
MEDIA INFORMATION
Red Raider coaches and players are available for interviews 15 minutes prior to the start of each practice. NO INTERVIEWS WILL BE GRANTED AFTER PRACTICE HAS BEGUN. To arrange an interview, please contact Chris Cook in the Texas Tech Athletic Media Relations Office at 806/742-2770. Practices are open to the public.
PRACTICE SITES AND TIMES
Practice site and times are subject to change. Please contact Chris Cook in the Texas Tech Athletic Media Relations Office for further information concerning Red Raider basketball practice.
NEXT GAME
The next home game for the Red Raiders is set for Mon., Nov. 15, at 7 p.m. against Global Sports at the Lubbock Municipal Coliseum.
