Texas Tech University Athletics
Red Raiders Tabbed Ninth by League Coaches
October 19, 2000 | Men's Basketball
Oct. 19, 2000
LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech has been picked to finish ninth in the Big 12 this season by the league's coaches, the league office announced today.
With five returning starters, Kansas was the unanimous selection to finish atop the league standings. Oklahoma was tabbed second, while Missouri, Iowa State and Texas round out the top five. Oklahoma State, Colorado, Nebraska, Texas Tech and Texas A&M finish the top 10, while Baylor and Kansas State are 11th and 12th, respectively.
The Red Raiders are coming off of a disappointing, but injury-filled season. Head coach James Dickey's team finished 12-16 during the 1999-00 season and closed out Big 12 play with a 3-11 mark and an 11th-place finish. The team was off to one of its best starts in school history when starting center Andy Ellis (Lamesa, Texas) dislocated his left shoulder in the 14th game of the season at Nebraska, beginning a rash of injuries which plagued the team during the duration of the season.
Ellis received consideration for the preseason All-Big 12 team, but did not make the five-man roster. Jamaal Tinsley (Iowa State), Nick Collison (Kansas), Drew Gooden (Kansas), Kareem Rush (Missouri) and Kimani Ffriend (Nebraska) make up the coaches' All-Big 12 Team.
Texas Tech opens the regular season Nov. 22 against Prairie View A&M at the United Spirit Arena. Preseason exhibition action takes place at the Arena Nov. 13 and Nov. 16. Both games tip at 7 p.m.
