Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Hosts League Frontrunner In Final Home Game
February 28, 2000 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 28, 2000
LUBBOCK, Tex. - Texas Tech hosts No. 14 Iowa State in the final home game of the season for the Red Raiders. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. and the game will be televised by ESPN-Plus.
FINAL HOME GAME FOR SENIORS
Wednesday night's game will be the final home game for Texas Tech's four seniors. Rayford Young, Brodney Kennard, Mario Layne and James Ware will suit up in the home whites for the final time. Over the course of their careers, they are a combined 33-19 at home. Young has played for four seasons at Tech, while the other three transferred in.
REGULAR SEASON COMING ENDS SATURDAY
Texas Tech closes the 1999-2000 regular season at Colorado Sat, March 4. The game is set to tip at 3 p.m. (CT) and will be televised by ESPN-Plus.
BIG 12 POSTSEASON LOOMS
The 2000 Big 12 Conference Championship begins March 9 and runs through March 12 in Kansas City, Mo. The tournament once again takes place at Kemper Arena.
TEXAS TECH VS.
#14 IOWA STATE
Wed., March 1, 2000 // 7 p.m.
United Spirit Arena (15,050)
Lubbock, Texas
A LOOK AT THE RED RAIDERS
Texas Tech won its third game in its last five tries Saturday at home against Kansas State. The Red Raiders now stand at 12-13 overall and 3-11 in the Big 12. Rayford Young leads the team with 16.8 points per game and is second in the Big 12 with an 83.2 free throw percentage. Mario Layne and James Ware follow with 13.4 and 11.5 points, respectively. Brodney Kennard leads the team on the boards with 7.0 rebounds per game and is third in the Big 12 with 2.4 blocks per game. As a team, Texas Tech is scoring 71 points per game, shooting 44.6 percent from the field and 34.4 percent from three. The Red Raiders lead the Big 12 with a 71.5 percent clip from the foul line. The opposition is shooting 40.7 percent from the field and average 70.6 points per game.
PROBABLE STARTERS
TEXAS TECH
| HT | WT | CL | HOMETOWN | PPG | RPG | |||
| G | 03 | Rayford Young | 5-11 | 180 | Sr. | Pampa, Texas | 16.4 | 4.2 |
| G | 05 | James Ware | 6-5 | 210 | Sr. | Minneapolis, Minn. | 11.4 | 3.0 |
| G | 12 | Ronald Hobbs | 6-6 | 180 | Fr. | Fort Worth, Texas | 3.5 | 1.8 |
| F | 33 | Brodney Kennard | 6-8 | 210 | Sr. | Fort Worth, Texas | 6.5 | 6.7 |
| F | 14 | Mario Layne | 6-7 | 195 | Sr. | St. Michael, Barbados | 13.8 | 5.5 |
IOWA STATE
| HT | WT | CL | HOMETOWN | PPG | RPG | |||
| G | 04 | Kantrail Horton | 6-1 | 225 | Jr. | Covington, Ga. | 9.2 | 4.0 |
| G | 11 | Jamaal Tinsley | 6-3 | 175 | Jr. | Brooklyn, N.Y. | 10.2 | 4.8 |
| G | 53 | Michael Nurse | 6-1 | 175 | Sr. | Teaneck, N.J. | 12.5 | 2.6 |
| F | 05 | Marcus Fizer | 6-8 | 265 | Jr. | Arcadia, La. | 22.0 | 7.7 |
| F | 23 | Stevie Johnson | 6-4 | 225 | Sr. | Beaumont, Miss. | 7.8 | 5.1 |
LISTENING IN
The All Sports Radio Network will air all Red Raider games, beginning approximately 25 minutes prior to tip-off. The network carries nine affiliates across West Texas, including flagship station KKAM 1340 in Lubbock. Broadcasting veteran Jack Dale (play-by-play), in his 47th season, calls the action.
PRIME TIME
The Red Raiders have played ten games on television this season and face two more opponents on the tube before the end of the season:
| Date | Opponent | Network |
| M1 | Iowa State | ESPN+ |
| M4 | at Colorado | ESPN+ |
TEXAS TECH HEAD COACH JAMES DICKEY
Texas Tech Head Coach James Dickey is in his ninth season as the Red Raider mentor with a 157-102 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 157 wins, trailing Gerald Myers (326 wins / 1971-91) and Polk Robison (254 wins / 1942-46, 47-61). The Red Raiders won the SWC 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 SWC 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.
DICKEY VS. IOWA STATE
Texas Tech head coach James Dickey is 1-3 all-time against the Cyclones. Dickey's lone win was a 66-55 triumph at home Jan. 3, 1998.
SERIES VS. IOWA STATE
Iowa State leads the all-time series 5-1, dating back to the first meeting Dec. 8, 1955. The two teams met for a second time in 1956 and didn't meet again until the first season of the Big 12 in 1997. The teams are tied 1-1 in game in Lubbock, while the Cyclones hold a 3-0 advantage in Ames. ISU also is 1-0 on neutral floors.
Series Quick Facts
| Overall | Iowa State, 5-1 |
| Dickey vs. Iowa State | 1-3 |
| Most Tech Points | 70 (Mar. 7, 1997) |
| Most Iowa State Points | 72 (Dec. 8, 1955) |
| 72 (Mar. 7, 1997) | |
| Fewest Tech Points | 52 (Dec. 8, 1955) |
| Fewest Iowa State Points | 55 (Jan. 3, 1988) |
| Largest Tech Margin | 11 (Jan. 3, 1998) |
| Largest Iowa State Margin | 20 (Dec. 8, 1955) |
| Overtime Games | None |
DICKEY HIGH ON BIG 12 TENURE LIST
Texas Tech head coach James Dickey trails only Danny Nee, Roy Williams and Eddie Sutton in tenure among Big 12 head coaches. Dickey is in his ninth season.
| Coach | School | Years |
| Danny Nee | Nebraska | 14 |
| Roy Williams | Kansas | 12 |
| Eddie Sutton | Oklahoma State | 10 |
| James Dickey | Texas Tech | 9 |
| Kelvin Sampson | Oklahoma | 6 |
| Tom Asbury | Kansas State | 6 |
| Ricardo Patton | Colorado | 5 |
| Rick Barnes | Texas | 2 |
| Larry Eustachy | Iowa State | 2 |
| Melvin Watkins | Texas A&M | 2 |
| Dave Bliss | Baylor | 1 |
| Quin Snyder | Missouri | 1 |
POINT PRODUCTION IS ON THE RISE
During Texas Tech's eight-game losing streak, the Red Raiders averaged only 63.9 points per game. In the last five games, where Tech is 3-2, the Raiders are averaging 74.2 points.
SENIORS GET ONE MORE UPSET SHOT
Over the course of their careers at Texas Tech, the seniors have knocked off at least one ranked opponent each year they've been here. So far this season, the Raiders are 0-7 against teams ranked among the top 25 at game time. Wednesday night's game is the final attempt during the regular season for Tech to knock off a ranked opponent.
RED RAIDERS CASHING IN AT THE LINE
Texas Tech is first in the Big 12 in free throw shooting at 71.5 percent. In 25 games this season, Tech has connected on 386-of-540 attempts. Rayford Young leads the team with 83.2 percent and is second in the Big 12.
RAIDERS PROTECT HOME FLOOR
With Saturday's win over Kansas State, Texas Tech secured its ninth-straight winning record at home, all under James Dickey. Tech is currently 8-6 at home this season with one game remaining. During the course of that span, Tech posted perfect records twice - 13-0 in 1994-95 and 14-0 in 1995-96. Tech also posted a 36-game homecourt winning streak from 1994 to 1997.
WE DO WINDOWS
The Red Raiders have been a force to deal with on the glass of late. Texas Tech has out-rebounded four of its last five opponents, but have out-hustled the opposition on the boards in only 10 of 25 games.
GET THAT OUTTA HERE
Texas Tech ranks fourth in the Big 12 in blocked shots with 4.7 per game. Kansas is the leader with 5.7 blocks per outing.
SEEING TRIPLE
James Ware and Rayford Young have combined for 105 of Tech's 144 three-point baskets this season. Ware leads the team with 60 made threes, followed by Young's 45.
YOUNG DOMINATES IN CLOSING MINUTES
With Texas Tech holding on to a narrow 64-59 lead with five minutes remaining against KSU, Rayford Young made sure the Wildcats would get no closer. Young scored nine of Tech's 11 points in the final five minutes, while KSU managed five points.
KENNARD ESTABLISHES CAREER HIGHS
In his best games in two seasons as a Red Raider, senior forward Brodney Kennard posted career highs in points (14) and rebounds (16) against Kansas State and recorded his first career double-double. He also shot a career-best 7-of-11 from the field.
HE'S NOT DONE
Brodney Kennard is quickly moving up the blocking charts at Texas Tech as well. He has 59 rejections this season, which ranks second on the single-season blocks list behind Tony Battie (68). Kennard ranks fifth all-time at Tech with 96 swats. He blocked five shots for the second time in his career against Missouri. He has only two games this season where he didn't record a block.
MARATHON MEN
Three Red Raiders are averaging over 30 minutes per game this season - all starters. Rayford Young leads the pack with 35.9 minutes per game, followed by James Ware (32.7) and Brodney Kennard (31.6). Mario Layne checks in at 29.9 minutes per game. Before he went down with a season-ending injury, Andy Ellis was logging 33.8.
RED RAIDERS ALL-TIME VS. IOWA STATE
| Player | Gms | Points | Reb | Ast |
| Rayford Young | 4 | 8.5 | 2.0 | 2.5 |
| Johnny Phillips | 2 | 3.0 | 1.5 | 0.0 |
| Brodney Kennard | 1 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 2.0 |
| Mario Layne | 1 | 6.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 |
| Jayson Mitchell | 1 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 0.0 |
| James Ware | 1 | 12.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
RED RAIDERS IN THE CLUTCH
Tech has made 94-of-129 (.729) free throws in the final five minutes of games and 55-of-76 (.724) in the final two minutes. Rayford Young is hitting .850 from the line down the stretch, while James Ware and Jayson Mitchell are shooting .800 and .700. Young has attempted 30 free throws in the final two minutes this season with 24 makes.
YOUNG ASCENDING SCORING LIST
Rayford Young's 25 points against Kansas State propelled him into 11th place on the all-time scoring list at Tech, passing Dub Malaise and Jeff Taylor with the scoring effort. Young has 1,434 career points in 104 games. He trails Greg Lowery in 10th place by 42 points. Young began the season in 24th place.
Career Scoring
| 1. | Rick Bullock (73-76) | 2,118 |
| 8. | Sean Gay (86-89) | 1,597 |
| 9. | Mike Russell (76-78) | 1,545 |
| 10. | Greg Lowery (70-72) | 1,476 |
| 11. | Rayford Young (96-00) | 1,437 |
MORE ON YOUNG
Young needs three assists to break the 400-mark for his career and become only the third Red Raider in history to accomplish a 1,000-point, 400-assist career. Sean Gay (1,597 points, 432 assists) and Stan Bonewitz (1,092 points, 430 assists) are the only two to do so. Other categories Young is moving up in:
Three-Point Field Goals
| 1. | Cory Carr (94-98) | 262 |
| 2. | Stan Bonewitz (95-99) | 241 |
| 3. | Koy Smith (92-96) | 237 |
| 4. | Lance Hughes (91-95) | 168 |
| 5. | Rayford Young (96-00) | 159 |
Assists
| 1. | Stan Bonewitz (95-99) | 435 |
| 2. | Sean Gay (85-89) | 432 |
| 3. | Rayford Young (96-00) | 397 |
Steals
| 1. | Sean Gay (85-89) | 196 |
| 2. | Rayford Young (96-00) | 169 |
TECH OPPONENTS RANKED AMONG NATION'S BEST
Six Red Raider opponents are ranked among the top 25 in the Feb. 28 ESPN/USA Today and Associated Press polls. Oklahoma State (11), Indiana (12), Iowa State (14), Texas (15), Oklahoma (20) and Kansas (23) are all ranked. Rankings are listed (ESPN-USA Today/AP). The AP poll has not been updated.
THE EIGHT-GAME SKID
Over the course of Texas Tech's eight-game losing streak (which came to an end with a 79-68 win over Baylor on Feb. 12), the Red Raiders faced one of the toughest stretch of games in school history. Five of the eight opponents were ranked in the top 20.
| Date | Opponent | Rank | Result |
| J15 | Texas A&M | UR | L, 86-88 |
| J19 | at Nebraska | UR | L, 67-70 |
| J22 | Texas | 13 | L, 59-72 |
| J26 | at Baylor | UR | L, 57-71 |
| J29 | Oklahoma | 17 | L, 61-78 |
| F2 | Oklahoma State | 13 | L, 59-63 |
| F5 | at Kansas | 15 | L, 62-87 |
| F9 | at Texas | 16 | L, 60-76 |
TEXAS TECH VS. THE BIG 12
Texas Tech has faced the member institutions of the Big 12 on 412 occasions. Tech played its 400th game against a current Big 12 opponent with a 90-84 home win over Kansas Feb. 13, 1999. Here are Texas Tech's series record with each of the Big 12 schools:
| TEAM | RECORD |
| Baylor | 62-37 |
| Colorado | 4-12 |
| Iowa State | 1-5 |
| Kansas | 1-10 |
| Kansas State | 5-8 |
| Missouri | 3-4 |
| Nebraska | 6-9 |
| Oklahoma | 10-15 |
| Oklahoma State | 6-15 |
| Texas | 50-53 |
| Texas A&M | 53-47 |
| TOTALS | 201-215 (.483) |
ATTENDANCE RECORDS
Texas Tech's sellout crowd of 15,050 against Indiana at the inaugural game in the United Spirit Arena marked the largest home crowd in school history to witness a Red Raider basketball game. The A&M game crowd of 14,324 is the second largest, while the Texas game drew 14,045. Oklahoma drew 10,624.
TECH CELEBRATES 75TH SEASON
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. The Red Raiders hold an overall record of 1,097-815 (.574).
NEW ADDITION
Texas Tech added some much needed depth at the post position with the addition of Josh Faltesek. The 6-foot-8, 240-pound freshman joined the team following fall finals. He attended a junior college in Amarillo during the fall semester, but did not compete with the basketball team there.
RED RAIDERS INK THREE PLAYERS
Texas Tech signed three players to national letters of intent during the early signing period - Marcus Shropshire (Grand Prairie, Texas / South Grand Prairie H.S), Jamal Brown (Dallas, Texas / Fort Scott C.C.) and Jermichael Miller (Houston, Texas / Wheatley). Shropshire is considered the No. 1 senior guard prospect in the state and the No. 5 player overall.
HOME SCHEDULE
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 play. Tech faces Texas A&M-CC, UT-El Paso, Stephen F. Austin and New Mexico St. in non-conference action away from home. Oklahoma State, Nebraska, Baylor, Kansas, Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Colorado dot the Big 12 road slate.
NINETIES THE SECOND-BEST DECADE
Texas Tech won 160 of 292 games (54.8 percent) played during the 90s. 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), 1990s (160), 1980s (153), 1950s (146), 1940s (143).
COACH DICKEY ON THE RADIO
Texas Tech head coach James Dickey can be heard Thursday nights at 7 p.m. during the season on KKAM 1340 in Lubbock on the James Dickey Radio Show. Red Raider play-by-play veteran Jack Dale hosts the show from Jazz - A Louisiana Kitchen. The show is open to callers.
THE JAMES DICKEY SHOW
The James Dickey Show can be seen Sunday nights at 11 p.m. throughout the season on KCBD-TV Channel 11. KCBD sports director Brian Mudd is the host.
