Texas Tech University Athletics
Tuesday, November 14
United Supermarkets Arena
7:00 PM
Texas Tech Athletics
vs
Maine
Red Raider Preview: Maine
November 13, 2017 | Men's Basketball
LUBBOCK, Texas – The Texas Tech men's basketball team finishes off the regional round of the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame Tipoff Tournament versus Maine on Tuesday at the United Supermarkets Arena.
Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. CT, and the game will be nationally televised by FOX College Sports along with the FOX Sports Go app. John Harris, Chris Level and Adam Doyle will serve as the announcing team.
The Texas Tech Sports Network will carry the game live on its flagship stations Double T 97.3 FM, 100.7 FM The Score and AM 950 in Lubbock. Geoff Haxton and Clark Lammert will have the call. The radio broadcast also will be available on the Texas Tech Sports Network radio affiliates, online at www.TexasTech.com and the Tune-In Radio app. Fans can interact live with Tuesday's broadcast by following @GunsUpRadio on Twitter.
Texas Tech picked up its 18th consecutive season opening victory, a 75-50 decision over South Alabama on Friday. The Red Raiders have won 15 of the 18 games during the streak by double figures.
Tuesday's matchup is the first meeting between Texas Tech and Maine on the hardwood. The Black Bears are the first of five nonconference opponents that the Red Raiders will meet for the first time in 2017-18. Tech also will have initial meetings with Florida Atlantic, Kennesaw State, Savannah State and Wofford later this season.
The Red Raiders head into Tuesday's contest on a 30-game nonconference home winning streak with 25 of the 30 victories coming by 10-plus points. Texas Tech has won 15 of its last 16 games during the streak by double figures.
"There is always two battles going on," Texas Tech head coach Chris Beard said. "It's getting your team better and individual players better being who you are. Then, there is the obvious battle going on with the opponent and preparing for the next game. There is always a fine line between working on yourselves and preparing for the opponent."
"With our team, we continue to be a work in progress," Beard continued. "We will continue to get the new guys in the fold, try to be unselfish on offense, try to defend at a higher level and try not to foul as much. The not fouling is probably the biggest lesson from the South Alabama game. With Maine, we have a lot of respect for them. They have great backcourt play. They have a really good inside all-conference type of player. They have a lot of international players on their roster which I personally have a lot of respect for."
Tickets to Tuesday's game can be purchased for as low as $10 online at www.texastech.com or in person at the United Supermarkets Arena Box Office which opens 90 minutes prior to tipoff.
The S1 Parking Lot at the John Walker Soccer Complex is the lone free parking lot for all fans which includes ADA parking for all men's basketball games. A free shuttle service will begin 75 minutes prior to tipoff and run up to 60 minutes following the game to transport fans to and from the United Supermarkets Arena. Buses are ADA accessible. There is no longer free parking in the West Lot across from the United Supermarkets Arena.
Traffic patterns also will change for the upcoming season. All patrons with North Lot passes must enter the lot from the Main and Flint intersection. All fans with South Lot passes must enter the lot from the 18th and Flint intersection. All West Lot pass holders must enter at the Texas Tech Parkway and Knoxville Avenue intersection. All vehicles will be blocked from entering Indiana Avenue off of the Texas Tech Parkway.
Fans are reminded to go clear at all Texas Tech basketball games. The clear bag policy provides a safer atmosphere and speeds up the entry process into the United Supermarkets Arena.
ABOUT TEXAS TECH
The Red Raiders had four players post double figures in the season opener headed by Zhaire Smith who filled the box score with 14 points, five rebounds, three assists and two blocks. He is the first freshman to lead Texas Tech in scoring during a season opener since Norense Odiase posted 16 points versus Loyola Maryland on Nov. 14, 2014.
Tommy Hamilton IV secured 12 points and four rebounds. The duo of Hamilton IV and Zhaire Smith combined for a 10-for-13 shooting clip against the Jaguars.
Keenan Evans, an All-Big 12 Preseason Honorable Mention selection, turned in 12 points, three rebounds, three steals and two assists. For Evans, he extended his streak to 21 consecutive games in double figures which is the longest streak for a Red Raider since Martin Zeno accomplished the feat during the 2007-08 season. The Richardson, Texas native heads into Tuesday's game 50 points away from 1,000 for his career.
Davide Moretti had a solid debut with 10 points and two assists off the bench. He scored all 10 of his points during the second half. Justin Gray and Norense Odiase secured six points and three rebounds apiece, while Zach Smith added a career-best four steals coupled with four rebounds and three assists.
The trio of Evans, Zach Smith and Gray rank inside the Top 10 of the Big 12's active scoring list. Texas Tech is the only school to have three players on the list.
Niem Stevenson has reached double figures in eight of his last 13 games dating back to last season. He tallied four points, three rebounds and two assists in his 16 minutes of action. On the glass, Brandone Francis pulled down a team-leading six rebounds.
"Our players embrace coaching," Texas Tech head coach Chris Beard said. "That's the great thing about this group, both the returners and the new guys. Good players want to be coached. Good players want to be disciplined. Good players want to be gotten on. Good players want to be held accountable. In that same category, good players want to be taught. They are looking for any advantage they can."
ABOUT MAINE
The Black Bears were handed an 85-65 setback by Boston College in Friday's opener. Maine was within seven points at the half before the Eagles broke the game open during the second 20 minutes.
Ilija Stojiljkovic led the way with 14 points and eight rebounds. He was a flawless 5-of-5 shooting and knocked down a pair of three-pointers. Aaron Calixte and Danny Evans chipped in 12 and 11 points, respectively, but were a combined 7-of-20 from the floor.
Texas Tech is the fourth Big 12 member that the Black Bears will face in program history. Maine has had previous matchups versus Kansas (79-68 in 1982-83), against Iowa State (70-63 in 1991-92) and most recently Oklahoma (78-52 in 2008-09).
UP NEXT
Texas Tech begins its 2017-18 road slate with a pair of neutral site games at the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame Tipoff Tournament over the weekend. The Red Raiders meet Boston College on Saturday and will take on either La Salle or Northwestern in Sunday's championship/consolation play.
Season tickets are on-sale and features the affordable Red Raider Sports Pass at $99. Season tickets can be purchased in person at the Texas Tech Athletics Ticket Office located on the East Side of Jones AT&T Stadium, online at www.TexasTech.com or over the phone at (806) 742-8324 (TECH). Single-game tickets for nonconference games and Big 12 mini-plan ticket information also has been announced by the Texas Tech Athletics Ticket Office.
Visit www.TexasTech.com for the latest news and information on the men's basketball program. Fans also can follow the program on its social media outlets by liking TexasTechMBB on Facebook along with following @TexasTechMBB on Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.
Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. CT, and the game will be nationally televised by FOX College Sports along with the FOX Sports Go app. John Harris, Chris Level and Adam Doyle will serve as the announcing team.
The Texas Tech Sports Network will carry the game live on its flagship stations Double T 97.3 FM, 100.7 FM The Score and AM 950 in Lubbock. Geoff Haxton and Clark Lammert will have the call. The radio broadcast also will be available on the Texas Tech Sports Network radio affiliates, online at www.TexasTech.com and the Tune-In Radio app. Fans can interact live with Tuesday's broadcast by following @GunsUpRadio on Twitter.
Texas Tech picked up its 18th consecutive season opening victory, a 75-50 decision over South Alabama on Friday. The Red Raiders have won 15 of the 18 games during the streak by double figures.
Tuesday's matchup is the first meeting between Texas Tech and Maine on the hardwood. The Black Bears are the first of five nonconference opponents that the Red Raiders will meet for the first time in 2017-18. Tech also will have initial meetings with Florida Atlantic, Kennesaw State, Savannah State and Wofford later this season.
The Red Raiders head into Tuesday's contest on a 30-game nonconference home winning streak with 25 of the 30 victories coming by 10-plus points. Texas Tech has won 15 of its last 16 games during the streak by double figures.
"There is always two battles going on," Texas Tech head coach Chris Beard said. "It's getting your team better and individual players better being who you are. Then, there is the obvious battle going on with the opponent and preparing for the next game. There is always a fine line between working on yourselves and preparing for the opponent."
"With our team, we continue to be a work in progress," Beard continued. "We will continue to get the new guys in the fold, try to be unselfish on offense, try to defend at a higher level and try not to foul as much. The not fouling is probably the biggest lesson from the South Alabama game. With Maine, we have a lot of respect for them. They have great backcourt play. They have a really good inside all-conference type of player. They have a lot of international players on their roster which I personally have a lot of respect for."
Tickets to Tuesday's game can be purchased for as low as $10 online at www.texastech.com or in person at the United Supermarkets Arena Box Office which opens 90 minutes prior to tipoff.
The S1 Parking Lot at the John Walker Soccer Complex is the lone free parking lot for all fans which includes ADA parking for all men's basketball games. A free shuttle service will begin 75 minutes prior to tipoff and run up to 60 minutes following the game to transport fans to and from the United Supermarkets Arena. Buses are ADA accessible. There is no longer free parking in the West Lot across from the United Supermarkets Arena.
Traffic patterns also will change for the upcoming season. All patrons with North Lot passes must enter the lot from the Main and Flint intersection. All fans with South Lot passes must enter the lot from the 18th and Flint intersection. All West Lot pass holders must enter at the Texas Tech Parkway and Knoxville Avenue intersection. All vehicles will be blocked from entering Indiana Avenue off of the Texas Tech Parkway.
Fans are reminded to go clear at all Texas Tech basketball games. The clear bag policy provides a safer atmosphere and speeds up the entry process into the United Supermarkets Arena.
ABOUT TEXAS TECH
The Red Raiders had four players post double figures in the season opener headed by Zhaire Smith who filled the box score with 14 points, five rebounds, three assists and two blocks. He is the first freshman to lead Texas Tech in scoring during a season opener since Norense Odiase posted 16 points versus Loyola Maryland on Nov. 14, 2014.
Tommy Hamilton IV secured 12 points and four rebounds. The duo of Hamilton IV and Zhaire Smith combined for a 10-for-13 shooting clip against the Jaguars.
Keenan Evans, an All-Big 12 Preseason Honorable Mention selection, turned in 12 points, three rebounds, three steals and two assists. For Evans, he extended his streak to 21 consecutive games in double figures which is the longest streak for a Red Raider since Martin Zeno accomplished the feat during the 2007-08 season. The Richardson, Texas native heads into Tuesday's game 50 points away from 1,000 for his career.
Davide Moretti had a solid debut with 10 points and two assists off the bench. He scored all 10 of his points during the second half. Justin Gray and Norense Odiase secured six points and three rebounds apiece, while Zach Smith added a career-best four steals coupled with four rebounds and three assists.
The trio of Evans, Zach Smith and Gray rank inside the Top 10 of the Big 12's active scoring list. Texas Tech is the only school to have three players on the list.
Niem Stevenson has reached double figures in eight of his last 13 games dating back to last season. He tallied four points, three rebounds and two assists in his 16 minutes of action. On the glass, Brandone Francis pulled down a team-leading six rebounds.
"Our players embrace coaching," Texas Tech head coach Chris Beard said. "That's the great thing about this group, both the returners and the new guys. Good players want to be coached. Good players want to be disciplined. Good players want to be gotten on. Good players want to be held accountable. In that same category, good players want to be taught. They are looking for any advantage they can."
ABOUT MAINE
The Black Bears were handed an 85-65 setback by Boston College in Friday's opener. Maine was within seven points at the half before the Eagles broke the game open during the second 20 minutes.
Ilija Stojiljkovic led the way with 14 points and eight rebounds. He was a flawless 5-of-5 shooting and knocked down a pair of three-pointers. Aaron Calixte and Danny Evans chipped in 12 and 11 points, respectively, but were a combined 7-of-20 from the floor.
Texas Tech is the fourth Big 12 member that the Black Bears will face in program history. Maine has had previous matchups versus Kansas (79-68 in 1982-83), against Iowa State (70-63 in 1991-92) and most recently Oklahoma (78-52 in 2008-09).
UP NEXT
Texas Tech begins its 2017-18 road slate with a pair of neutral site games at the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame Tipoff Tournament over the weekend. The Red Raiders meet Boston College on Saturday and will take on either La Salle or Northwestern in Sunday's championship/consolation play.
Season tickets are on-sale and features the affordable Red Raider Sports Pass at $99. Season tickets can be purchased in person at the Texas Tech Athletics Ticket Office located on the East Side of Jones AT&T Stadium, online at www.TexasTech.com or over the phone at (806) 742-8324 (TECH). Single-game tickets for nonconference games and Big 12 mini-plan ticket information also has been announced by the Texas Tech Athletics Ticket Office.
Visit www.TexasTech.com for the latest news and information on the men's basketball program. Fans also can follow the program on its social media outlets by liking TexasTechMBB on Facebook along with following @TexasTechMBB on Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.
Players Mentioned
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Center
/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's BasketballMcCasland Media Session
Thursday, December 04
Highlights vs. Wyoming
Sunday, November 30
Postgame Press Conference: vs. Wyoming
Sunday, November 30
Postgame Press Conference: vs. New Orleans
Wednesday, November 26