Texas Tech University Athletics
Red Raiders Look To End Drought
January 10, 2015 | Men's Basketball
January 9, 2014
LAWRENCE, Kan. -- They say history repeats itself when you do not look back, but sometime not knowing can be bliss.
"We have just a few players that have played in Allen Fieldhouse," that can be a good thing and a bad thing," said Red Raider head coach Tubby Smith. "We have eight or nine guys that have never played there."
When Texas Tech tips off against No. 12/13 Kansas on Saturday at 2 p.m., the Red Raiders will be looking for its first win in the fabled building. The game can be seen on ESPNU.
The Red Raiders (10-5, 0-2) have lost two straight and four of their last five, but unlike in recent memory they have been within striking distance in every game.
"We are not as long as we have been, but we are young and more athletic," added Smith. "As we get healthier, it helps our chances. It is not to say that we are injured. Everyone has nagging things when you get into the season."
Saturday's game marks the 15th meeting between these two teams, but this is the lowest ranked the Jayhawks have been since 2005-06, when Kansas was unranked when the two teams yet.
"I do not see the past as an intimidation point for our guys," said Smith. "We are young and when you play as many freshmen as we do, you can have mental breakdowns on both offense and defense."
The Red Raiders are the sixth youngest team in the nation. They feature the youngest starting front court in the country, as Smith starts three freshmen.
"We might be young, but we are gaining experience with each practice, team meeting and game," added Smith. "We are approaching the halfway point of the season and you can see the game slowing down for some of our young guys.
Despite having five different starting lineups, Red Raiders have settled into the starting lineup of senior Robert Turner and junior Devaugntah Williams as the guards and the freshmen trio of Justin Gray, Zach Smith and Norense Odiase down low. This starting five produced 59 percent of the scoring for the Red Raiders. Williams is the only Red Raider 11.7 points, while eight Tech players chip in eight points per night.
As is the norm or it seems, Kansas is off to another solid start art 12-2 overall and 1-0 in the Big 12. Bill Self has motored the Jayhawks to 10 straight Big 12 titles and could be in line for another. Perry Ellis leads the way with 12.4 points and Frank Mason adds 12.3 points. In all, nine players average five points or better per game.
Two coaches who spent time spent time at the helm of the Tulsa Golden Hurricane program are colliding head-to-head on Saturday. Tubby Smith got his start as a head coach with Tulsa from 1991-95, advancing to a pair of NCAA Sweet Sixteens. Bill Self was also successful with two trips and one to the Elite Eight. Both coaches now have 500 career wins each and a national title. If you include Nolan Richardson, three former skipped of the Golden Hurricane have won national titles.
