TEXAS TECH BASKETBALL | This is the final conference game of the year and in all likelihood, the second to last game of the year. I have the last two games on the DVR and am hopeful to be able to watch this game as this will be the last game for Robert Lewandowski. Here are the details:
Missouri Tigers vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders
When: Today at 3:00 pm
Where: Lubbock, TX
TV: Big 12 Network and ESPN3
LAJ's Nick Kosmider writes about Lewandowski and I don't know that I've ever heard a coach talk so glowingly about a player, but here are the words of Lew's head coach, Billy Gillispie:
"There’s no way that anyone could have ever done more than him," Gillispie said. "It’s impossible to do more. Maybe some people tie him for first, but there’s no way that anyone surpasses what he’s done. You can’t say enough about the person he is."
And teammate F Jordan Tolbert:
"He’s always been a great leader," said freshman Jordan Tolbert, whose introduction to the college game began with summer pickup games against Lewandowski that often ended with bloody lips and noses for both players. "No matter how we’re doing, he’s always positive, always trying to motivate the team. He just wants the best for the team, so whatever he needs to do, he does it."
This isn't going to be an easy game and the likely outcome is one that isn't going to be pretty. I really wish this season had gone just a bit better and there were a few times that we could celebrate some wins, but that hasn't happened, and as disappointed as I am, I'm sure that Lew and the entire team is more disappointed.
LADY RAIDER BASKETBALL | This is also the last conference game for the Lady Raiders, here are the details:
Texas Tech Lady Raiders vs. Kansas St. Wildcats
When: Today at 6:00 pm
Where: Manhattan, KS
TV: Kansas Now
LAJ's David Just previews the game and also notes that G Christine Hyde had arthroscopic knee surgery and will likely miss the rest of the year. Head coach Kristy Curry says that the late-game meltdowns are not the result of lack of leadership:
"I don’t think you blame it on anybody," Curry said last week. "I think (senior Jordan Barncastle) has shown tremendous leadership. She’s been incredible every day. She’s become a lot more vocal and that’s been fun to see her grow and really improve."
TEXAS TECH SOFTBALL | The home schedule got off to a good start as Texas Tech notched two wins, a 7-2 win over Binghampton (official site) and a 2-0 win over UTA (official site). LAJ's David Just has a good recap of both games.
TEXAS TECH FOOTBALL | Don't forget that there's a scrimmage today, starting at 10:45 am and admission is absolutely free.
Red helmets! OMG! Actually, these are this is from the Texas Tech equipment room via the Twitter, TTU_EQUIPMENT, and are the Schutt replica helmets from the previous seasons. Pretty cool to see that there are replicas for most, if not all, of the prior seasons, including the black helmet with the red facemask, which I think is a terrific look. You can click on the TTU_EQUIPMENT TwitPic page to check out higher resolution photos.
LAJ's Don Williams profiles the play-making LB Will Smith, who has seemingly been mentioned after every practice. Here's head coach Tommy Tuberville:
"He plays fast and he plays big," Tuberville said this week when asked about Smith. "We didn’t see a play like he made the other day in the scrimmage all year last year on defense, where somebody goes up, tips the ball, catches it and gets the ball back to the offense. We couldn’t buy one of those.
"I think he’s that type of guy. He’s got football smarts, and he’s going to be a big guy."
And Smith talks about defensive coordinator Art Kaufman:
"It’s not too overwhelming right now," Smith said. "He’s taking his time with us as we’re taking our time with him. I mean, if we have any questions he’s willing to answer them without frustration. He’s more of a ‘Talk, and I’ll talk back.’"
ESPN's David Ubben talks with RB Kenny Williams, who says the running back job is his to lose (I have no problem with players wanting a job). Here's Williams:
Washington and Stephens are hurt, but they can help Williams master the mental and technical side of the position.
"We'll go over blitz schemes. That’s one of our running back coach’s big things," Williams said. "Every running back can run the ball. What’s going to separate you is, can you pick up the blitz?"
He's still learning. But this spring, he's had to start doing and doing it often.
"We kind of feed off each other’s energy when we’re all out here," Williams said of his injured teammates, "but I’ve got to find a way to make my own energy and just pick it up."