Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Minnesota
Tech Drops Minnesota In NIT Consolation
April 03, 2003 | Men's Basketball
April 3, 2003
By RICK FREEMAN
AP Sports Writer
NEW YORK (AP) - Even though he won, Bob Knight would have rather not played the NIT consolation game.
"I was really worried about being ready to play," Knight said. "I don't think there's anything harder to do than playing in a consolation game. No team wants to come here and lose two games
Knight's concerns were well-founded. His team blew a 19-point lead before holding on to win, 71-61 over Minnesota on Thursday night.
Andre Emmett led Texas Tech with 23 points and eight rebounds. Robert Tomaszek scored 14 of his 18 points in the first half.
The Golden Gophers (19-14) went on a 20-9 run to tie the game at 54 with less than six minutes remaining. Rick Rickert, who might have played his last game at Minnesota, came alive in time to spark the run with seven points.
But Texas Tech held on, sinking seven of eight free throws in the final 1:04. In their semifinal loss Tuesday night, the Red Raiders blew a 10-point lead to St. John's.
Knight is no stranger to the NIT's consolation game. He coached Army to two fourth-place finishes in the tournament, in 1966 and 1969, as well as a third-place finish in 1970. Knight also won the NIT title in 1979 with Indiana.
Rickert, a lithe sophomore listed at 6-foot-11 and 216 pounds, finished with eight points on 3-for-12 shooting. Michael Bauer led the Gophers with 14 points, nine on 3-pointers.
Rickert has said he has already decided whether he will return for his junior season or declare for the NBA draft. He has not disclosed his plans yet, and underclassmen have until May 12 to declare for the draft. As long as he doesn't hire an agent, Rickert has until June 19 to withdraw his name before the draft on June 26.
"I can't answer that right now," Rickert said. "I'll know in a week or so."
Minnesota sleepwalked through most of the first half in front of a nearly silent Madison Square Garden. The Gophers had to rally just to make it 37-24 at the half. Rickert missed all five of his field goal attempts, turned the ball over three times, and scored one point.
Texas Tech (22-13) built a 37-18 lead with four minutes left. Kasib Powell added 17 points for the Red Raiders.
Though his team ended the season with two frustrating losses, Minnesota coach Dan Monson was in favor of a consolation game.
"It gave our kids one more opportunity to end the season on a good note," Monson said. "The teams that are in this tournament have had adversity, so it's an experience to get back on track. I like it, it's hard to end your season but you can be one of three teams that can go out on a winning note."
If it was Rickert's last college game, he went out on a sour note.
"It's no fun going out like that," Rickert said. "I was disappointed in my play as an individual and in our play as a team."
The Red Raiders also won at Minnesota 99-89 in overtime on Dec. 28.
