Odds and Ends
Helium Footballs and More Basketball Recruiting Questions
Year2 of Team Speed Kills reviewed the Mythbusters episode regarding helium footballs. I loved that episode.
The Dagger brings up yet another example of possible college basketball recruiting questions with the Memphis Tigers. It's starting to become a trend.
Texas Tech Football
Dave Parks Candidate for Texas Sports Hall of Fame
Congrats to former Red Raider Dave Parks, who is a candidate for the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. For those of you who don't know who Dave Parks is, here's a reminder (he's the one making the tremendous catch at the 1:12 mark):
Mike Leach on Tech Talk
Lots of good things in the 2nd hour of Wednesday's Tech Talk, including Mike Leach talking about jury duty,voting in the coaches poll, and Leach knows a thing or two about horse racing.
College Preview Stuff
EDBS has an excellent point when taking into consideration the statistic of returning starts (I've thought the same thing a few times here):
The one thing that has always struck me as a misleading stat Phil uses–and admittedly, it’s one factor in a huge set of stats–is starts lost. It is not an entirely irrelevant at programs who have been relatively successful over the years leading up to the year in question. Good talented sophomores hopefully become well-seasoned and talented seniors, etc…but how useful this stat is becomes a legitimate question when you have mid-grade talent used by coaches over more talented up-and-coming talent sitting behind them simply because of the age difference. In other words: just because your team has more experience and returning starts as a group does not mean your group isn’t a bunch of relatively mediocre talent just aged another year.
I think I mentioned this sometime last week, if Baylor returns every starter from last year, does it really make that big of a difference (other than of course Robert Griffin)?
Dr. Saturday took clippings from anonymous head coaches and our Red Raiders were discussed:
Texas Tech: "They were better on defense last season, but they're still way behind their offense in terms of talent. Mike (Leach) is going to spend all his time working on offense, but you have to have a great defense to be good in this league." -- An opposing Big 12 assistant coach.
Texas Tech and its ramshackle D went 7-1 in the league and tied for the division title. The leading defense in the Big 12 last year, Texas, finished 51st nationally in yards allowed; the conference champion, Oklahoma, finished No. 68 and was 58th in points allowed. Oklahoma State and Missouri won nine and 10 games, respectively, and finished in the top 25 while allowing more than 400 yards per game. I guess it just shows that you don't actually to pay attention to a conference to coach in it.
Umm, yeah.
Double Extra Point takes a look at the non-conference schedule for the Big 12, but make sure and click on link for safe-for-work co-eds next to each team:
Mike Leach proves year in and year out that it doesn't matter who plays - its all about the system. QB Taylor Potts will have plenty of talented receivers to throw to and this offense shouldn't miss a beat. Mike Leach also proves year in and year out that he doesn't like a tough non-conference schedule. Houston will relish the chance to play a Big 12 Texas Tech team at home this season. QB Case Keenum, who many say could break the record books this season, was the C-USA player of the year and returns all of his weapons for what will be a scary team. Although I don't like to use the word defense here, Texas Tech should be able to outscore the Cougars simply because they have more talent to slow them down. Texas Tech will be 4-0 heading into Big 12 play.
Texas Tech Preview
NationalChamps.net previews the Red Raiders, but there's really nothing there other than a depth chart and returning starters
Texas Tech Baseball
Bettis to Try Out for National Team
Congrats to Chad Bettis for earning an invitation to the USA National Team Trials:
Texas Tech junior right-hander Chad Bettis has earned an invitation to attend the 2009 USA Baseball National Team Trials in Cary, N.C., and will be one of just two players from the Big 12 Conference vying for one of 22 roster spots.
"It's a great honor for our baseball program and for Chad (Bettis) to earn an invite to the national trials," said Texas Tech Head Coach Dan Spencer. Our goal is to develop players and allow them to put themselves in these types of positions. The experience you get from playing with the best college baseball players in the country is invaluable."
Bettis, a native of Lubbock and a product of Monterey High School, will join Baylor right-hander Logan Verrett at the trials as the only two players from the league to earn invitations to the prestigious camp. The trials will be held at the USA Baseball National Training Complex, June 15-24. The roster will be cut to 22 players and announced on June 24.
Congrats to Chad, that's quite an honor and I'll try and follow his progress during the summer.
Cloud Earns Postgraduate Scholarship
A second congrats is in order as Brian Cloud (along with softballer Meagan Shupp) were named as recipients of Dr. Prentice Gautt Postgraduate Scholarships. Here's the criteria:
Criteria for the awards includes a cumulative grade point average of 3.500 on a 4.000 scale, participation in at least two years of intercollegiate athletics at the nominee's respective institution and completion of athletics' eligibility. The student-athletes also must graduate from their respective member institutions within 15 months of their selection for a postgraduate scholarship and are expected to enroll in graduate/professional schools within two years of graduation. Three faculty representatives, one senior woman administrator and one director of athletics form the selection panel for the awards.
Excellent opportunity for Brian and Meagan. Congrats