Texas Tech University Athletics
Red Raiders Get Second Look At Cowboys
January 31, 2012 | Men's Basketball
Jaye Crockett had recorded two double-doubles this season.
Jan. 31, 2012
Game 21 • Texas Tech (7-13, 0-8 Big 12) vs. Oklahoma State (10-11, 3-5 Big 12)
Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012 • 7:05 p.m. CT • Lubbock, Texas (United Spirit Arena • 15,020)
Tech Notes | OSU Notes | Live Stats | Big12sports.com | ESPN3.com
THE OPENING TIP
• The Red Raiders enter Tuesday's game after falling at No. 2 Missouri, 63-50, on Saturday.
• Oklahoma State lost at Texas A&M, 76-61, on Saturday.
• Today's game is on the Big 12 Network. Doug Bell (Play-by-Play) and Stephen Howard (Analyst) are on the call.
• Texas Tech is looking to snap a eight-game losing streak with a win over Iowa State. The Red Raiders are 0-8 in Big 12 play for the first time since 1999-00.
TEXAS TECH-OSU SERIES
• This is the 50th meeting between the Cowboys and the Red Raiders. The two first met at the Charity Cage Tournament in Oklahoma City on Jan. 1, 1937. OSU leads the all-time series, 36-13. The series is tied in Lubbock, 8-8, but the Red Raiders have won three of the last four.
• Oklahoma State topped Texas Tech, 67-59, to open Big 12 play in Stillwater on Jan. 7. Keiton Page led OSU with 23 points, while Le'Bryan Nash added 21. Texas Tech was paced by Jordan Tolbert's 13-point, 13-rebound double-double.
ABOUT OKLAHOMA STATE
• Oklahoma State is 10-11 on the season and 3-5 in Big 12 play, but 0-4 in conference road games.
• The Cowboys are led by senior Keiton Page (14.5 ppg/2.2 apg), freshman Le'Bryan Nash (13.2 ppg/5.0 rpg) and sophomore Markel Brown (9.1 ppg/5.1 rpg).
• Keiton Page is fourth in the Big 12 in 3-pointers made per game (2.7).
• Philip Jurick is third in the conference in blocked shots (2.1) and Michael Cobbins is seventh (1.3).
FROM THE START
Last time out against Missouri, the starting lineup was Terran Petteway, Javarez Willis, Kevin Wagner, Robert Lewandowski and Jordan Tolbert. This is the first time this season this lineup has been used and one of 11 different starting lineups used this season.
TWO TEAMS SEARCHING
Texas Tech and Oklahoma State have combined to have 23 different starting lineups this season. The Red Raiders have used 11 different starting combinations this season, while the Cowboys have used 12 different starting lineups. Robert Lewandowski is the only Red Raider to have started every game this season. Keiton Page has the most starts for OSU, with 19 this season.
SLOWING DOWN MIZZOU
Last time out against Missouri, the Red Raiders became just the second team all year to hold the Tigers to under 70 points. Kansas State held Mizzou to 59 points on Jan. 7 and Texas Tech was able to slow down the Tigers to just 63 points. Missouri entered the game averaging 82.8 points per game. The Red Raiders outshot the Tigers 45.5 percent to 39.6 percent in the game and out-rebounded Mizzou, 31-27.
WHERE'S THE LINE
Texas Tech made just three trips to the free throw line, converting just two of six free throws against Missouri on Saturday. It is the second time this year that the Red Raiders failed to shoot at least 10 free throws in a game this season. Texas Tech went 6-of-8 from the line against Iowa State on Jan. 21. Prior to that, the last time Texas Tech only shot eight free throws in a game was at Texas A&M on Jan. 28, 2009, when Texas Tech went 6-of-8 from the line. The last time the Red Raiders only shot six free throws in a game was at SMU on Dec. 2, 2003, when Tech hit 3-of-6 free throws. For the season, Texas Tech is attempting 21 free throws a game.
CROCKETT STEPS UP IN LEAGUE PLAY
Texas Tech's Jaye Crockett has elevated his play since Big 12 Conference play began on Jan. 4. In the eight league games this season, Crockett has scored in double figures five times and notched nine points in two other outing. He notched his second career double-double at Oklahoma and had a career-best 19-point effort at Texas A&M. His 19 points eclipses his previous best effort of 14 points against North Texas on Nov. 16, 2010. He added another double-double against Missouri with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Crockett now has 12 career double-digit scoring efforts, with eight coming this season. He is averaging 7.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game this season and 10.5 points and 6.1 rebounds in Big 12 games.
LEWANDOWSKI'S CAREER NUMBERS
Senior Robert Lewandowski has been a steady stalwart for the Red Raiders for the last four years. Against Oklahoma on Jan. 17, he recorded his 400th rebound. He has 683 career points, 411 career rebounds and 93 career blocks. His blocks rank eighth all-time at Texas Tech. He needs seven more blocks to move into sixth on the career list. He has connected on 289 of 550 career shots for a 52.5 percent field goal percentage, which ranks fifth all-time at Texas Tech. This season, Lewandowski is averaging 6.9 points and 3.9 rebounds a game. He has scored eight or more points in nine of the team's 20 games this season. Lewandowski also recorded his first career 3-pointer in just his third career attempt against Southeastern Louisiana. It was 61 games between his first 3-point attempt against UTEP on Jan. 3, 2010 and his first career make against Southeastern Louisiana. The 6-10 Lewandowski has played in 115 career games with 68 career starts.
TOLBERT LEADS BIG 12 FRESHMEN
Jordan Tolbert leads all Big 12 freshmen this season in rebounds (6.3 rpg) and field goal percentage (56.4 pct.). He is third among league freshmen in scoring at 12.4 points per game. Overall, Tolbert ranks 18th in the league in scoring and eighth in rebounding. He has scored in double figures 10 times this season, including a season-high 27 twice — once at TCU on Dec. 6 and once against CSU-Bakersfield on Dec. 27. It was the most by a Tech freshman since John Roberson went for 28 against Northwestern State on Dec. 29, 2007. It is the second highest scoring mark by a Red Raider freshman in the Big 12 Era. He also netted 20 points against Indiana State at the Old Spice Classic, 22 against Grambling State and 21 against Oral Roberts. Tolbert has pulled down five rebounds in 14 of 19 games this season and had a his first double-double at Oklahoma State with 13 points and 13 rebounds. He added 10 rebounds at Oklahoma. He has recorded five 20-point games as a freshman, which has only been recorded one other time in the last 20 years at Texas Tech by a freshman. He also did it four times in a row, which was last done by Jarrius Jackson in November, 2006. He was named the Big 12 Conference player of the Week for the Week of Dec. 26-Jan. 1, after averaging 19.0 points and 4.0 rebounds, while shooting 78.9 percent from the field. Last time out against Kansas State, Tolbert had 18 points and eight rebounds.
WAGNER MAKES IMPACT
Lubbock native Kevin Wagner had a breakout performance on Jan. 25 against Kansas State. The 5-8 freshman, starting in just his fourth collegiate game, notched a career-best 16 points, four assists, two steals and two rebounds in 37 minutes of play. Entering the game, Wagner had scored just 22 points for the season. He then recorded a second consecutive start against Missouri, notching three points, four assists and five rebounds in 35 minutes of play.
WILLIS' STREAK CONTINUES
Javarez "Bean" Willis is one of three returning players from last year's squad who has started 19 of 20 games this season. He is currently on a streak of 27 consecutive free throws, including 8-of-8 against Southeastern Louisiana, and has converted 34 of 39 from the charity strip this season. His 87.2 percent from the line is second the squad to teammate Ty Nurse. Willis is third in scoring (8.2), leads in assists (36) and is second in 3-pointers made (25). He has recorded nine or more points 11 times this season and had a season high 16 against Cal State-Bakersfield thanks in large part to a season-high four 3-pointers. He tied that mark at Oklahoma after connecting on another four treys. Willis followed up that outing with a team-best 15 points against Southeastern Louisiana and another 11 against Oklahoma State. He has also dished out at least two assists in 10 of 19 games this season.
NURSE ONE OF NATION'S BEST FROM LINE
Ty Nurse has the ability to be an offensive threat each time he steps on the floor. He has led the team is scoring four times this season and scored in double figures on eight occasions. Nurse had a remarkable debut, chipping in 29 points. He has scored in 15 of 19 games this season. Nurse is second on the team in scoring at 8.4 points per game, while chipping in 1.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists. He is an 91.8 percent foul shooter, connecting on 45 of 49 from the charity strip this season. He has converted 23 straight free throws for the Red Raiders. He currently ranks first in the Big 12 and fourth nationally in free throw shooting. He also leads the team in 3-point shooting, converting on 37.5 percent from behind the arc (27-of-72).
LEWANDOWSKI HAS CAREER GAME
Robert Lewandowski had a career performance against Iowa State. The 6-10 senior from Overland Park, Kan. went 8-17 from the field and 4-5 from the line to tie his career high with 20 points. He had previously had netted 20 points against Texas A&M as a freshman (01/28/09) and against Stephen F. Austin as a sophomore (11/19/10). Lewandowski played all 40 minutes against Iowa State and added six rebounds, four assists (tying a career high) and four blocks. He had four blocks in a game for the first time since Jan. 20, 2009, when he notched four blocks against Colorado.
STRUGGLING FROM THE FIELD
After ranking as high as eighth in the nation in field goal percentage, the Red Raiders had been mired in a shooting slump until the game at Missouri. Against the Tigers, Texas Tech connected on 20 of 44 shots from the field for 45.5 percent. It was their first game above 40 percent since Dec, 30. Prior to that, the Red Raiders had failed to shoot 40 percent in each of the previous seven games - 39.6% (at OSU), 39.6% (Baylor), 31.4% (Kansas), 33.3% (at Texas A&M), 32.6% (at Oklahoma), 35.1% (Iowa State) and 37.5% (Kansas State). The Red Raiders to 122nd in the nation in field goal percentage (44.7 percent)., but did you know that Texas Tech ranks 341st in shot attempts (47.6 attempts per game)? The Red Raiders are making on average 21.3 field goals per game, which ranks 316th out of the 344 schools in the NCAA Division I. The Red Raiders rank fifth in the Big 12 Conference in field goal percentage, 10th in shot attempts and shots made.
UP AND DOWN FROM THREE
Texas Tech has been up and down all season when it comes to 3-point shooting. Only twice this season have the Red Raiders put together back-to-back games of 35 percent or better from 3-point range. Here is a look at how the Red Raiders have fared this season — 43% (Troy), 18.2% (North Texas), 54.5% (Stephen F. Austin), 22.2% (Indiana State), 50% (DePaul), 30% (Wake Forest), 44.4% (Texas A&M-CC), 25% (TCU), 42.1% (Grambling State), 14.3% (Oral Roberts), 50% (Bakersfield), 40% (SE Louisiana), 31.3% (OSU), 37.5% (Baylor), 9.1% (Kansas), 36.4% (Texas A&M), 50% (Oklahoma), 27.8% (Iowa State), 23.1% (Kansas State) and 44.4% (MIssouri). For the season, the Red Raiders are 93 of 254 from beyond the arc (36.6 percent). Ty Nurse leads the way, hitting on 27 of 72 attempts (37.5 percent) from 3-point range.
LUKE STEPS UP IN A BIG WAY
Walk-on Luke Adams stepped onto the court against Grambling State not only playing in his second career game, but making his first career start. The freshman from Big Spring, Texas, who is legally deaf, connected on his first four shots of the game (all 3s) to spark a 27-2 Texas Tech run against the Tigers. He earned his second career start at Oral Roberts, chipping in with four points and four assists. In 12 games, the 5-9 walk-on has averaged 3.9 points, 0.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 153 total minutes of play.
REBOUNDING ON THE ROAD
Texas Tech has out-rebounding its four Big 12 opponents on the road this season - Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Missouri. In Stillwater, the Red Raiders out-boarded the Cowboys, 38-27 (+11). In College Station, Texas Tech pulled down 36 rebounds to Texas A&M's 28 (+8). In Norman, Tech edged OU, 37-34 (+3). In Columbia, The Red Raiders topped the Tigers, 31-27 (+4).
SHOOTING FOR AVERAGE
Texas Tech is fifth in the Big 12 Conference in field goal percentage through 19 games, as the Red Raiders have hit on 44.7 percent of its shots from the field. The Red Raiders are 122nd nationally in field goal percentage this season. Tech has hit 60 percent or better in a game three times this season — Troy (61.1 percent), Stephen F. Austin (62.9 percent) and CSU-Bakersfield (60.0 percent). When Texas Tech shot 61.1 percent from the field (33 of 54) against Troy in the opener, it eclipsed the highest percentage of any game last season. The highest percentage last season was 58.8 percent (30-of-51) against Delaware State on Jan. 4. Two games later against Stephen F. Austin, the Red Raiders connected on their first six shots of the game to take a 15-5 lead. Texas Tech connected on 14 of 17 shots from the field in the first half (82.4 percent) and hit four of five 3-pointers (80 percent). The Red Raiders finished the game hitting 62.9 percent from the field. It is the best shooting performance by Tech in the last three years, eclipsing the 62.1 percent the Red Raiders shot against Eastern Kentucky on Nov. 22, 2008. The Red Raiders added their third 60 percent shooting performance against Cal State-Bakersfield, as Texas Tech connected on 24 of 40 shots, including 7-of-14 from 3-point range. In all, the Red Raiders have shot better than 50 percent in five of 19 games this season. Only six teams in the nation shoot 50 percent or better from the field.
3-POINT STREAK EXTENDS to 35 STRAIGHT
Texas Tech extended its streak of consecutive games with a 3-pointer to 35 straight games against Missouri after connecting on 8-of-18 against the Tigers. The last time The Red Raiders did not connect from the 3-point line was against Texas (0-11) on Jan. 11, 2011.
PLAYING NINE AGAINST MISSOURI
For the fifth time this season, the Red Raiders saw nine players enter the lineup. On four occasions, 11 players saw action in a game and 11 times 10 players played.
FROM THE LINE
Texas Tech shot 92 percent from the free throw line (23 of 25) against North Texas. It is the highest output since connecting on 23 of 24 last season against TCU (95.8 percent). The Red Raiders connected on nine consecutive free throws over the final 3:04 to secure the victory. Against K-State, Tech had its worst free throw shooting performance of the season, hitting just 14 of 26 from the line (53.1 percent). The Red Raiders followed it up with a 2-of-6 performance (33.3 percent) against Missouri. For the season, Texas Tech is 294 of 419 from the line (70.2 percent).
FROM THE FIELD
Texas Tech has out-shot its opponent from the field in 13 of 20 games this season. In the last outing, Texas Tech outshot Missouri 45.5 percent (20-44) to 39.6 percent (19-48). It was the first time in conference play that Tech outshot its opponent. The Red Raiders have been out-shot by DePaul (42.3/46.6), Baylor (39.6/48.9), Kansas (31.4/50.9), Texas A&M (33.3/47.8), Oklahoma (32.6/38.9), Iowa State (35.1/48.4) and Kansas State (37.5/48.1).
MEMORABLE DEBUT
Ty Nurse's 29 points against Troy is the most by a Red Raider since Mike Singletary had 33 against Iowa State on Jan. 26 last season. It is also the most points in a season opener by a Texas Tech player since Curtis Marshall had 30 against UNC-Ashville in 2004 and Andy Ellis had 30 against Indiana in 1999. It is also the most points in a newcomer debut in the Red Raider Big 12 Era.
A STRUGGLE AT HOME
Texas Tech's loss to No. 10/10 Kansas on Jan. 11 ranks as the largest home loss, in terms of deficit, in program history. The Red Raiders lost by 35 points to Kansas (81-46), eclipsing the previously largest home loss set on Feb. 28, 1998, when Texas Tech fell to Oklahoma (89-56) by 33 points at the Lubbock Municipal Coliseum. It also eclipses the largest loss at the United Spirit Arena, which happened last year against Texas when the Red Raiders fell to the Longhorns (83-52) by 31 points. The largest loss in any game came at Kansas on March 3, 2008, when the Jayhawks toppled the Red Raiders, 109-51.
A TRIPLE NOTE
There have been nine triple-doubles performed this year in the NCAA by Keegan Bell (Chattanooga), Jesse Sanders (Liberty), T.J. McConnell (Duquesne), Jake Odum (Indiana State), D.J. Cooper (Ohio), Kenny Gabriel (Auburn), Shabazz Napier (Connecticut), Royce White (Iowa State) and Peter 'PJ' Roberson (Grambling State). Did you know that Texas Tech is the only school to face three of these athletes - Odum, White and Roberson. Odum had 13 points, one rebound and four assists against the Red Raiders. White recorded seven points, nine rebounds and six assists against Texas Tech. Roberson had 14 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks against the Red Raiders.
HITTING FOR 20
Since Texas Tech joined the Big 12 Conference at the beginning of the 1996-97 season, there have been 39 Red Raider players scored 20 points in a game at least once. In that group, 25 have performed the feat twice. The school's all-time leading scorer, Andre Emmett did it 55 times. In all, five of the school's top seven scorers have played in what we call the Big 12 Era. Here is a complete list of the 39 Red Raiders, who have compiled 372 20-point games at Texas Tech. Red Raider freshman Jordan Tolbert is the newest member with five 20-point games this season. He had 20 against Indiana State, added 27 against TCU, netted 22 against Grambling State, added 21 against Oral Roberts and 27 against CSU-Bakersfield. His 27 at TCU are the most by a Red Raider freshman on the road in the Big 12 Era, but John Roberson holds the freshman record with 28 against Northwestern State in 2007. Tolbert is one of 10 freshman to record a 20-point game at Texas Tech, but joins just Roberson (7) as Red Raiders who have done it at least five times. Red Raider Ty Nurse also joined the list this year, when he went for 29 points against Troy in the season opener. Robert Lewandowski recorded his third career 20-point game against Iowa State.
12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
Texas Tech head coach Billy Gillispie and the Red Raider basketball team spent the holiday season giving back to the local community. For 12 straight days, the Red Raiders visited area hospitals, worked with local charities and provided a helping hand during the holiday season as a part of Billy Gillispie's Red Raider 12 Days of Christmas. The Billy Gillispie's Red Raider 12 Days of Christmas began Dec. 10 and ran through Dec. 21. The team kicked off the season of sharing on Saturday by visiting the Lubbock Heart Hospital and concluded the 12 days by visiting the Texas Tech Police Department.
Date Event
Saturday, Dec. 10 Lubbock Heart Hospital
Sunday, Dec. 11 Covenant Children's Hospital
Monday, Dec. 12 UMC Children's Hospital
Tuesday, Dec. 13 Second Helpings
Wednesday, Dec. 14 Fire Station No. 1
Thursday, Dec. 15 Meals on Wheels
Friday, Dec. 16 Margaret Talkington Learning Center
Saturday, Dec. 17 Ronald McDonald House
Sunday, Dec. 18 Bender Terrace Nursing Home
Monday, Dec. 19 Salvation Army (Ring Bells)
Tuesday, Dec. 20 South Plains Food Bank
Wednesday, Dec. 21 Texas Tech Police
