Dec. 31, 1999

TEXAS TECH VS. PRAIRIE VIEW A&M MON., JAN. 3, 2000 / 7 P.M. (CT) LUBBOCK, TEXAS UNITED SPIRIT ARENA (15,050)

TEXAS TECH OPENS MILLENNIUM WITH PRAIRIE VIEW A&M Texas Tech begins the next 1,000 years with a 7 p.m. (CT) tip-off Mon., Jan. 3, against Prairie View A&M at the United Spirit Arena. The game is the 10th of 11 non-conference games for the Red Raiders, who host Centenary Mon., Jan. 10, in their final non-conference game.

RED RAIDERS BEGIN BIG 12 PLAY AT OSU Texas Tech opens Big 12 Conference play this weekend at Oklahoma State in Stillwater. The game is set for Sat., Jan. 8, at 12:45 p.m. (CT) at Iba-Gallagher Arena.

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.

TEXAS TECH HEAD COACH JAMES DICKEY Texas Tech Head Coach James Dickey is in his ninth season as the Red Raider mentor with a 152-91 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 152 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 SECURES 150TH WIN James Dickey secured his 150th victory as head coach at Texas Tech when the Red Raiders knocked off Stephen F. Austin 80-56 in Nacogdoches Wed., Dec. 8. His overall record is 152-91.

PROBABLE STARTERS
TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS (7-2)
G	03	Rayford Young (5-11, Sr.)
G	05	James Ware (6-5, Sr.)
C	55	Andy Ellis (6-11, So.)
F	33	Brodney Kennard (6-8, Sr.)
F	14	Mario Layne (6-7, Sr.)

PRAIRIE VIEW A&M (2-8)
G	03	Gergory Burks (5-8, So.)
G	32	Patrick Willybiro (6-3, So.)
C	44	Aron Thompson (6-8, Sr.)
F	31	Xavier Lee (6-4, So.)
F	52	Ivan Coulter (6-8, So.)

PANTHER COACH ELWOOD PLUMMER Collegiate coaching veteran Elwood Plummer is in his 26th season as a collegiate head coach. He has an overall record of 318-410. In his 16th season at Prairie View A&M, Plummer is 142-304. Plumer graduated from Jackson State University in 1966.

SCOUTING PRAIRIE VIEW A&M The Panthers are 2-8 on the season after dropping a 98-74 decision at Mississippi last Wednesday night. Prairie View’s wins have come against Southwestern Assemblies of God (113-73) in the season opener and at Tennessee State (81-76). Gregory Burks leads the team with 18.7 points per game, followed by Xavier Lee’s 10.5 points. Patrick Willybiro and Charles Thompkins contribute 9.3 and 9.0 points per game, respectively. Thompkins leads the team on the boards with 7.5 rebounds per game. Burks dishes out five assists per game, while adding 2.2 steals each night.

TEXAS TECH VS. PRAIRIE VIEW A&M The Red Raiders lead the series 3-0, all in Lubbock. Tech won the initial meeting 107-56 Dec. 10, 1994.

TEXAS TECH 4-0 ALL-TIME VS. THE SWAC Texas Tech has faced two of the 10 members of the Southwestern Athletic Conference over the years. The Red Raiders hold a 3-0 advantage over Prairie View A&M and are 1-0 against Alcorn State.

TECH VS. 1999-20 LONE STAR OPPONENTS Texas Tech has posted an overall 212-145 (.592) mark against teams on this season’s schedule from the state of Texas. The Red Raiders hold all-time winning marks against Baylor (61-36), North Texas (9-5), Prairie View A&M (3-0), Southwest Texas (1-0), Texas-El Paso (29-11), Texas A&M-CC (1-0), Stephen F. Austin (8-1) and Texas A&M (52-46). Tech trails Texas (51-50).

NINETIES THE SECOND-BEST DECADE IN SCHOOL HISTORY 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).

RED RAIDERS BY THE NUMBERS Rayford Young - Young is currently 16th on the all-time scoring chart at Texas Tech with 1,191career points … began the season at 24th on the list … ranks seventh all-time with 321 career assists and needs 15 to break the top five … fourth all-time with 138 steals … ranks eighth with 127 made three-pointers and sixth with 326 three-point attempts … currently leads the team with 19.2 points per game … shooting 87 percent from the foul line on the season and 84.1 during career … has started every game this season. Brodney Kennard - Kennard is eighth all-time with 59 career blocks, including 22 already this season … if he keeps his current pace (2.6 bpg), he will finish third all-time at Tech … has three double-figure rebounding games this season with 11 against Indiana, 10 against North Texas and 11 at New Mexico State … has led the team in rebounding in five of eight games … averaging 7.7 rebounds per game after picking up only 4.3 a year ago … tied his career-high of 12 points at UTEP … career-high five blocks at Stephen F. Austin … posted four blocks against Southwest Texas … has started every game this season. Andy Ellis - Ellis posted his fifth career double-double against Oral Roberts with 23 points and 10 rebounds ... posted back-to-back double-doubles for the first time in his career after hitting for 22 points and 11 rebounds in the previous game against Southwest Texas … second on the team with 18.0 points per game and now leads the team with 7.8 rebounds per game … hitting 54.1 percent from the field and 73.6 percent from the foul line … has started every game this season. James Ware - Scored a career-high 23 points and recorded his first collegiate dunk at Texas A&M-CC earlier this season … knocked down 4-of-5 from three range and hit 8-of-11 overall from the field in that game … has started every game this season. Mario Layne - Tied with Ellis for the team lead, hitting 54.1 percent from the field … averaging 13.8 points per game … has started every game this season.

ELLIS RECORDS FIFTH DOUBLE-DOUBLE Andy Ellis recorded his fifth career double-double, fourth of the season, with 23 points and 10 rebounds against Oral Roberts. It also marked the first time in his career that he has posted back-to-back double-doubles. Ellis connected for 22 points and 11 rebounds in the previous game against Southwest Texas.

ELLIS POSTS BIG NUMBERS IN LAST TWO Over the last two games, Ellis is averaging 22.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. He has connected on 17-of-29 shots for a 58.6 field goal percentage. Ellis also has a block and four steals during the two games.

IRONMEN Four of Texas Tech’s five starters are seeing action in 30 or more minutes per game. Rayford Young (36.0), Andy Ellis (34.0), James Ware (32.4) and Brodney Kennard (30.8) are all averaging over 30 minutes per game. The four have combined for 1,237 (68.7 percent) of Tech’s 1800 minutes this season.

TECH STARTERS CARRY THE LOAD Tech’s starting five is averaging 69 points (or 86.9 percent of the points) per game and has scored 621 of the team’s 714 points. The bench has added 10.3 points per game on the year.

KENNARD, LAYNE FORM BRICK WALL Behind Brodney Kennard’s team-leading 22 blocks Mario Layne’s 12 rejections, the Red Raiders have 50 rejections this season, while the opposition has managed only 21 blocks.

YOUNG COMES ALIVE AT HOME Young hit 7-of-15 (46.7 %) shots from the field for 16 points, grabbed six rebounds and dished out four assists in Tech’s home win over Oral Roberts. In the four previous games at home, Young was 18-of-60 (30 %) and totaled 68 points for 17 points per game. Twenty-eight of the 68 points came from the foul line.

RED RAIDERS LEAD BIG 12 IN REJECTIONS Texas Tech leads the Big 12 Conference with 5.56 blocks per game. Second-place Nebraska is averaging 5.45, while Texas is third with 4.9 blocks per game. As for total number of blocks, the Huskers lead with 60, followed by Texas (51) and Tech (50).

OVER/UNDER Despite shooting over 50 percent from the field in five games this season, Tech is averaging 48.9 percent on the year.

NOTING THE ORAL ROBERTS GAME • The Red Raiders shot over 50 percent for the fifth time this season. Tech’s 58.5 percent shooting is the second-best of the season behind its 64.2 percentage at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. • Three players hit at least five baskets, led by Andy Ellis’ eight. • Rayford Young turned in his best shooting performance of the season at the United Spirit Arena, connecting on 7-of-15 shots for 16 points. Young also grabbed six rebounds. • After trailing by nine with 11:04 remaining in the first half, the Red Raiders ran off a 18-8 run to take the lead for good. • Four Red Raider starters scored in double figures. • Andy Ellis recorded his second-straight double-double for the first time in his career with 23 points and 10 rebounds. He tallied 22 points and 11 boards in the previous game against Southwest Texas. • The win capped a 5-1 record for the Red Raiders in the month of December. • Oral Roberts connected on a season-high 11 three-point baskets for a Tech opponent. • Tech out-rebound the Golden Eagles 36-23, marking the fourth time this season Tech has won the battle of the boards. • Mario Layne hit 6-of-10 shots from the field and 6-of-7 attempts from the foul line for 18 points. He also dished out a game-high six assists and blocked three shots.

TECH TOPS LAST YEAR’S ROAD WIN TOTAL Texas Tech’s three road wins this season top last year’s two wins the Red Raiders got all season away from home. The Red Raiders are 3-1 on the road this year.

MALONE READY TO PLAY Sophomore forward/guard Moses Malone, Jr. is eligible, but has missed his first three games since becoming eligible prior to the New Mexico State game. Malone is recovering from a stress fracture to his left foot he suffered during preseason training. He is listed as week-to-week.

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. Faltesek prepped at Amarillo High School.

TECH OPPONENTS RANKED AMONG NATION’S BEST Five Red Raider opponents are ranked among the top 25 in this week’s ESPN/USA Today and Associated Press polls. Kansas (10/10), Oklahoma State (11/11), Indiana (12/12), Texas (15/18) and Oklahoma (22/22) are all rankes. Rankings are listed (ESPN-USA Today/AP).

TEXAS TECH VS. THE BIG 12 Texas Tech has faced the member institutions of the Big 12 on 402 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	        61-36
	Colorado	4-12
	Iowa State	1-5
	Kansas	        1-9
	Kansas State	4-8
	Missouri	3-3
	Nebraska	6-8
	Oklahoma	10-13
	Oklahoma State	6-13
	Texas	        50-51
	Texas A&M	52-46
	TOTALS	        198-204 (.493)

M*A*S*H In addition to the injury to Malone, Red Raider Cliff Owens has yet to suit up this season because of ankle surgery he underwent prior to the start of the season. The 6-foot-8, 240-pound forward is out indefinitely.

PACK’EM IN 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.

RED RAIDERS 48th IN SAGARIN RATINGS Texas Tech is currently 48th in the latest Sagarin Ratings, released Thu., Dec. 30. Others in the Big 12 include Oklahoma State (4), Oklahoma (9), Kansas (10), Texas (14), Iowa State (23), Missouri (46), Colorado (59), Kansas State (121), Baylor (144), Nebraska (157) and Texas A&M (221).

BIG 12 LISTED SECOND IN SAGARINS The Big 12 Conference is second in the latest Sagarin ratings, behind the Big Ten Conference. The ACC, SEC and Pac-10 round out the top five.

PRIME TIME Texas Tech christened the United Spirit Arena in front a live national audience on ESPN Fri., Nov. 19, when the Red Raiders host Big Ten power Indiana in the season opener for both teams. The Red Raiders also play the following games on television:

	Date	Opponent	Network
	J8	at Oklahoma St.	ESPN+
	J15	Texas A&M	FOX
	J22	Texas	        FOX
	J29	Oklahoma	ESPN+
	F5	at Kansas	ESPN+
	F19	at Texas A&M	ESPN+
	F23	at Oklahoma	ESPN+
	F26	Kansas State	ESPN+
	M4	at Colorado	ESPN+

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. Now in their 75th season, the Red Raiders hold an overall record of 1,091-804 (.576).

BACK TO 1900 Despite the rapid approach of the upcoming millennium, Texas Tech is not quite on course to play its 2,000th game in the program’s history. The Red Raiders’ home game against Texas on Jan. 22 will mark the 1900th game in the 75-year history of the program.

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.

RAIDERS FIND PRESEASON PERFECTION The Red Raiders finished the preseason with a 2-0 record, marking the eighth time in head coach James Dickey’s career that Texas Tech has finished the preseason unscathed. Dickey is 17-1 all-time in nine seasons in exhibition games, with the only loss coming last season. Tech knocked off the Arkansas Express 68-60 and defeated Global Sports 90-80.

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