Miscellaneous
I’m Out for the Weekend. Dear internet reader, I’m going to be out for the weekend, as Fitsum and I are going camping for a father-son weekend. Dan is going to have you covered with the basketball recap after the game on Saturday and LSRR will have you covered with The Morning Stake. Don’t forget that spring practice starts on Saturday. The only thing that won’t be updated will be the baseball series thread, but it’s a big series as Texas Tech hosts Cal State Fullerton in a three game series.
New Campus Photos. Totally Texas Tech has some new campus photos, lots of terrific photos with spring underway.
Softball
Softball Finally At Home. The softball team will be hosting the Texas Tech Invitational, where the Red Raiders will play NcNeese State today at 5:30 pm and then play Ohio at 8:00 pm. Also in the field is Ohio, Stephen F. Austin and UTSA. This is the first home game for Texas Tech of the year and will be at Rocky Johnson Field.
On Saturday, the ladies will play McNeese State at 12:30 pm and Ohio at 5:30 pm and on Sunay, play Stephen F. Austin at 10:00 am and UTSA at 12:30 pm.
LAJ’s Nicholas Talbot previews the series.
Lady Raider Basketball
Lady Raiders Open Big 12 Tournament. The Lady Raiders are in Oklahoma City to take on Iowa State at 6:00 pm in the first game of the Big 12 Basketball Championship. The game will be on FOX College Sports Central. Iowa State (13-16, 5-13) isn’t anything great, although neither is Texas Tech (12-17, 3-15), so this could be a winnable game:
“It’s been a battle this season [with Iowa State],” Texas Tech head coach Candi Whitaker said. “We were able to beat them at home in what was a great game, and then at their place we had low energy, we didn’t make shots and they were able to take advantage. It’s a great matchup and we’re excited for the opportunity.”
LAJ’s Nicholas Talbot writes about how Texas Tech freshman Zuri Sanders started has started late in the year:
“I am really excited by how she has grown and her work ethic,” Texas Tech coach Candi Whitaker said. “Now she has some confidence and I am excited to see what she can do in the offseason. I think she is going to be a great player in this program.”
Basketball
Get Your Tickets.
Only 950 tickets remain for Saturday's game vs #KSU. Get your $8 tickets here: https://t.co/cFYiJuJSzY #WreckEm pic.twitter.com/JkrGY4T9rZ
— Texas Tech Basketball (@TexasTechMBB) March 3, 2016
Get Your Tickets, Part II.
Auburn, Purdue, Texas Tech, Utah State to headline 2016 Men’s Cancun Challenge READ > https://t.co/FWqgcsU9q8 pic.twitter.com/9SJ8Bc9pyU
— Cancun Challenge (@CancunChallenge) March 2, 2016
Football
Who Protects Mahomes? DMN’s Mike DuPont checks in on the offensive line before spring practice starts:
There’s no simple answer for filling Clark’s production, but Texas Tech has young talent on its line that will have time to develop at the position, similar to Clark.
Madison Akamnonu spent most of his freshman season observing and training with Tech’s two-time first-team All-Big 12 selection. It’s conceivable that the former Bowie standout will have a shot in spring practices to make a move for the starting position although Akamnonu won’t be the lone competition.
Hays mentioned several times last season that the Red Raiders are looking to bring in more offensive linemen with the physique of a tackle – quick feet, athletic, tall, long arms. The 3-year veteran believes it’s easier to train linemen as tackles and then move them inside, if necessary.
Spring Storylines. ESPN’s Brandon Chatmon and Jake Trotter check in on Oklahoma State, Oklahoma and Texas Tech before spring practices start. Here’s Trotter, but there’s more there:
Trotter: With virtually a completely new staff around Gibbs, there are so many moving parts on the Tech defense this spring. Can they finally put something together and make a jump? Gibbs isn’t going to whip the Red Raiders into the ’85 Bears overnight, but if Tech could just play a little more defense — especially against the run up front — that would do wonders for a team that already has a critical piece in standout QB Patrick Mahomes.