2018 will always be remembered as a great year for Texas Tech Athletics

It’s been 365 days of a fun ride. Between men’s basketball, baseball, track, and even football in some moments, it’s been a very fun year to remember. Here are just some of the moments that made this calendar year a great one to be a Red Raider.

January 2nd, 2018: Tech Basketball Beats Kansas in Lawrence

There were a ton of fun moments last season for the Red Raider basketball team, but this one stands out as the first moment in 2018 that put the Red Raiders on the map. It was a real team effort that beat the Jayhawks as the Red Raiders had 5 players in double figures including 15 from Keenan Evans and 12 from Justin Gray and Jarrett Culver. It was the first time ever that the Red Raiders had won in Lawrence, Kansas and it really put the Red Raiders on the map for the rest of the season.

February 24th, 2018: Lubbock Hosts College Gameday

Although the final outcome of the game was not what the team expected, the whole day was a proud one to be a Red Raider. The school hosted College Gameday for the first time for a basketball game. It was the most electric atmosphere I remember around the school in my entire time living in Lubbock. Everyone was excited to show their school spirit and more importantly, it showcased to the nation that Texas Tech was more than a football school.

March 23rd, 2018: Tech Basketball Defeats Purdue to Make Elite Eight

This was the crowning victory in what was the best season in Texas Tech men’s basketball history. The game seemed to be controlled by the Red Raiders throughout led by seniors Keenan Evans with 16 points, Zach Smith with 14 points and 5 rebounds, and Justin Gray with 12 points and 7 rebounds. Very few of the basketball “experts” gave the Red Raiders a chance against Purdue with their size and skill in the post, but the Red Raiders’ suffocating defense proved to give the Boilermakers fits all game long. It was a glorious day for all Red Raiders and hopefully a sign of things to come in the future.

June 17th, 2018: Tech Baseball Wins College World Series Game

This was a huge deal for the program and for the entire fan base. The Red Raider baseball program has made the College World Series three separate times now and this was seen as the best performance in said series as the team beat Florida and Top-5 MLB Draft Pick Brady Singer by a score of 6-3. Dylan Dusek, Ryan Shetter, and Ty Harpeneau pitched a sound game for the Red Raiders and Gabe Holt led the offense with two hits and 3 RBI.

Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

September 15th, 2018: Bowman and Wesley Break Records

In a win against the Houston Cougars, freshman quarterback and junior receiver Antoine Wesley both broke team and Big 12 records. Bowman broke the Big 12 freshman records for passing yards held by none other than former Red Raider and Kansas City Chiefs great Patrick Mahomes. Bowman threw for 605 yards and five touchdowns, three of which went to Wesley. Wesley set a team record with 261 yards receiving on the day which broke Micheal Crabtree’s record set over 10 years ago.

November 6th, 2018: Red Raider Basketball Raises Elite Eight Banner

Coming off of the best season in team history, the Red Raiders raised the Elite Eight banner in their season opener against Incarnate Word.

November 29th, 2018: Texas Tech Hires Matt Wells

The future of Red Raider football was hired by Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt on November 29th. He was introduced in a press conference a couple of days later in front of a great crowd at the United Supermarkets Arena. This marked a new era in Texas Tech football and is going to be an important day to remember moving forward.

I know there are many more great moments from this year that I missed so please, tell me what I missed in the comment section below. Have a Happy New Year Red Raiders!