ODDS AND ENDS
SB Nation iPhone app - v1.1 on Vimeo
The new version of the SB Nation iPhone app is out. Everyone go get it if you haven't already (and if you own an iPhone).
TEXAS TECH BASEBALL
BaseballAmerica.com: College: Recruiting: College Recruiting Notebook
Lots of discussion about each major college team's recruiting class and here's the bit on Dan Spencer's recruiting class from this past year:
Texas Tech head coach Dan Spencer believes this class is the Red Raiders' best since he took over as head coach in the fall of 2008. The centerpiece is shortstop Matt Eureste, who will challenge for the starting shortstop job as a freshman. Juco transfer Shane Broyles is a righty with a low-90s fastball and solid slider, making him a potential fit in the late innings or in the weekend rotation. Fellow juco transfer Brennan Moore had a nice summer with the bat in the Northwoods League and figures to compete for playing time in Texas Tech's crowded outfield.
TEXAS TECH BASKETBALL
Crockett ready to follow in Jennings' steps | Red Raiders
I'm incredibly excited about what SF Jaye Crockett can do this year and Texas Tech head coach Billy Gillispie thinks that Crockett is set for a big year:
"I think he’s going to have a very big-time year," Gillispie said. "He’s very willing. He’s very coachable. We’re trying to figure out exactly what position he’s going to play out on the floor for us, but I know he’s going to be out there, and I expect big things from him."
Raiders make good first impression | Red Raiders
Gillispie talks about rebuilding the Texas Tech basketball program:
"When you’ve had success in building programs like us, the expectation that I place on myself is probably way out of whack," he said. "I hear people all the time saying, ‘Hey, it’s going to take you a while.’ But I don’t want to hear that."
Gillispie provided a metaphor for the situation.
"I’m (renovating) a house, literally," he said. "A guy is re-doing it for me, and I wish he would pick (the pace) up so I can move in faster. ... That’s the way you want your program to be."
Love it.
Big 12 men's basketball notebook: Kansas, Texas A&M favored | Red Raiders
College basketball, Lady Raider basketball and football links are after the jump.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Finding Billy Edelin - Searching for Billy Edelin
Pretty cool story about a website, Searching for Billy Edlin, a blog dedicated to college hoops, actually finding and hanging out with former Syracuse star, Billy Edelin.
College Basketball's 50 Can't Miss Non-Conference Games For 2011-2012 - SBNation.com
No mention of Texas Tech, but still good stuff from Mike Rutherford.
LADY RAIDER BASKETBALL
The Top 100 Programs in NCAA Division I Women's Basketball: #11-25 - Swish Appeal
Good stuff from Swish Appeal and they have the Lady Raiders ranked #21 in their preseason poll:
21. Texas Tech: The Lady Raiders galloped to a 16-1 start to last season - their best in almost ten years - but hit the wall in Big Twelve play, finishing the season 6-9. However, Texas Tech grabbed the spotlight by beating then #1-ranked Baylor in front of 10,000 fans who stormed the court after the win. Despite the late-season stumble, the Lady Raiders made it back to the NCAA tournament as a #8 seed, losing to St. John's in the opening round of the Spokane Regional.
Kristy Curry's team only loses one starter to graduation, so a return to the NCAA tournament is more than probable. The Lady Raiders might have finished in the middle of the Big Twelve pack but finished in the Top Ten nationally in attendance. Curry turned down the LSU head coaching position last spring to stay in Lubbock. With F/C Kierra Mallard and PG Casey Morris leading the way, maybe Curry knew something we didn't in remaining at Texas Tech.
TEXAS TECH FOOTBALL
Sooner Nation Tonight At 8:30 (CST) Getting Red Raider Ready - Crimson And Cream Machine
Check out last night's podcast, with yours truly being the featured guest. Thanks to CACM for the time and the invite!
Red Raiders football notebook: Two starters out | Red Raiders
I absolutely hate that LB Blake Dees and DT Donald Langley are out, that's not good, although RB Ben McRoy, WR Darrin Moore and CB Derrick Mays are on the travel roster. Here's the LAJ on the replacements:
Dees figures to be replaced by sophomore Daniel Cobb, who made a career-high 11 tackles three weeks ago in a win over Kansas. Tech’s pool of backup defensive tackles includes sophomore Dennell Wesley, freshman Delvon Simmons and senior Chris Perry.
Douglas coming on for Tech | Red Raiders
Focus on IR Cornelius Douglas and how he's produced thus far on the field. Here's Douglas:
"I’m just getting open," Douglas said this week. "I can’t explain it, really. I’m getting balls thrown to me, and I’m getting myself open.
"In practice, I’ve been doing the same thing. I think that’s why I’ve been getting so many balls. I’m coming out here in practice every day, working hard, and that transfers into the game."
Tech looks for upset at No. 3 Oklahoma - The Daily Toreador: Sports
The DT preview of Saturday's game and head coach Tommy Tuberville talks about the Sooners and what a win would mean:
"‘Signature’ would be an understatement," Tuberville said Monday. "I think we’re playing the best team in the country on both offense and defense. Alabama’s got a great football team. LSU’s got a great football team, Boise (State) — all the teams — (and) Wisconsin. We played (Oklahoma) last year, and we saw how athletic they were, how versatile they were in running and throwing and playing defense (and) the speed that they have on the team.
"They’re an all-around team."
OUDaily.com | For Franks, football a family affair
Texas Tech WR Jacoby Franks and Oklahoma WR Trey Franks, brothers, square off in Norman. Here's Trey:
"It will be the last time for us to play each other, so it should be good," Trey said.
Pre-Snap Read: A College Football Blog | Two Have Harrell in Crosshairs
Good stuff from Meyerberg, who writes that two players, Houston's Case Keenum and Boise St.'s Kellan Moore, look to break some of Graham Harrell's record for career touchdown passes:
The F.B.S. record for career touchdown passes belongs to former Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell, who threw for 134 scores over his four years, from 2005-8, in Mike Leach’s pass-happy offense. Barring injury, Harrell’s record — impressive as it was — will last three years. But who will shatter his short-lived mark? There are two quarterbacks jostling for a place in the N.C.A.A. record books, and it’s one inconsequential byproduct of each player’s quest for non-B.C.S. conference perfection over the second half of the season.
Big 12 Previews: Week Eight - Turfburner
Get this week's previews at Turfburner!
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Wanted to highlight a couple of links from the SB Nation mothership:
Week 8 College Football Schedule, Odds: Wisconsin, Stanford, LSU Face Tests - SBNation.com
College Football Power Rankings, Week 8: Kneel Before Zod - SBNation.com