Texas Tech University Athletics
Men's Basketball Opens Early Schedule Against Athletes First
November 10, 2000 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 10, 2000
LUBBOCK, Texas--The Texas Tech Red Raiders open their 76th season of college basketball with an exhibition game against Athletes First, Mon., Nov. 13. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at the United Spirit Arena.
For Texas Tech head coach James Dickey, the 2000-01 Red Raiders comprise his 10th team at the university, since taking over the program in 1991. Led by junior Andy Ellis, Texas Tech's leading scorer last season (16.9), Dickey has three seniors on the roster and a host of six talented newcomers. All totaled, seven of the 14 Red Raiders are freshmen or sophomores.
Ellis, Owens Return
The 2000-01 season marks the return of junior center Andy Ellis and senior forward Cliff Owens. Ellis was leading the team with 16.9 points and 8.9 rebounds per game last season, before suffering a season-ending shoulder dislocation at Nebraska in the 14th game. Owens missed the entire season in 1999-00 after undergoing preseason ankle surgery. Owens averaged 10.4 points and 7.0 rebounds per game during the 1998-99 season and earned a spot on the Big 12's All-Underrated Team.
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).
Basketball Rules Changes
The following major changes have been made to the official rules for college basketball this season: 4
Timeout format - Each team will be allowed to call four 30-second timeouts and one 60-second timeout during the course of the game. The first 30-second timeout called by either team will be a full media-length timeout. Only three of the four 30-second timeouts can be carried over to the second half. The 60-second timeout can be used at any time. Any unused 30-second timeouts may be carried over to an extra period. In addition, both teams will each receive an additional 30-second timeout per extra period. The first 30-second timeout called in the extra period will be a full media timeout. As usual the media timeouts will occur after the 16-, 12-, 8-, and 4-minute marks of each half. 4
At the end of the second half or at the end of an extra period, officials shall use replay equipment or a television monitor that is located on a designated court-side table to ascertain whether a try of field goal that will determine the outcome of a game (win, lose or tie) and is attempted at or near the expiration of the game clock, was released before the sounding of the period-ending horn. 4
A maximum of six players are allowed on the free throw lane during an attempt - four opponents of the shooter and two of the shooter's teammates. All others must remain beyond the free throw line extended and outside the three-point arc. 4
The penalty for indirect technical fouls is one free throw and will not count toward the player's five personal fouls or as a team foul. If a double indirect technical foul occurs, no free throws are awarded. Examples of indirect technical fouls are delay of the game, changing the starting lineup, playing with more than five players, excessive timeouts, substitution infraction, noise-makers, laser points, debris thrown on the court, grasping a basket, dunking during a dead ball, etc.
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.
