Leading Off
Offseason Officially Here. The first really light Morning Stake is usually that first time where you somewhat know the offseason is here. That really sort of hit me today. Never fear though, there’s still plenty of content. #content
NCAA Law Passes Committee. Yesterday I wrote about a California law that has passed the house and sailed through committee yesterday that permits student-athletes to profit off of their likeness. The NCAA sent a letter to the California legislature that essentially said that these California teams would not be eligible for NCAA Championships. SI’s Michael McCann breaks it down even more than last year, looking at the leverage of both the NCAA and California.
Texas Tech Baseball
Back-to-back. Third overall.
Congrats to @TimTadlockTTU on being voted @ABCA1945 Midwest Regional Coach of the Year!
🔴#WreckEm⚫️ pic.twitter.com/UVaW5Jf7Wu
— Texas Tech Baseball (@TTU_Baseball) June 25, 2019
All-Fitt Team. D1Baseball’s Aaron Fitt has his All-Fitt Team and DH Cameron Warren and 3B Josh Jung make the list and we’ll highlight Warren:
Big Cam just seemed like a jolly fellow, with his curly mop of hair hanging out of his hat and his easy smile. And it was fun to see him show off his blazing speed in Omaha, when he raced around from first base to score on a double. Afterward, Warren said, “I saw J-Bob at third base telling me to go, so I was like, ‘Come on, big boy, you’ve got to score.’” Classic.
Texas Tech Basketball
#6 of 36. NCAA’s Andy Katz has his Power 36 and Texas Tech is at #36:
6. Texas Tech (5): The Red Raiders hold their position essentially. The addition of grad transfers Chris Clarke and TJ Holyfield will be key in keeping them in the thick of the chase.
Texas Tech Football
Quarterback Match-Ups. AthlonSports’ Allen Kenney writes about the Big 12’s best quarterback matchups, with Texas Tech quarterback Alan Bowman mentioned a couple of times and I’ll highlight this non-conference match-up with Bowman and Arizona’s quarterback Khalil Tate:
Bowman was hampered by serious injuries in 2018 but still impressed as a true freshman for the Red Raiders. While Kliff Kingsbury is no longer in Lubbock, the incoming Utah State staff led by head coach Matt Wells produced one of the best offenses in the country last year and can replicate the same with Bowman fully healthy. Tate, who also dealt with injuries and a coaching transition, is one of the most electric players in the game and would love to showcase his dual-threat skills on a big stage.
Sparkman’s Choice. News-Journal’s George Whitley writes about one of the newest commits in receiver JJ Sparkman, who talks about why he chose Texas Tech:
Being a part of something special under the direction of first-year Red Raider head coach Matt Wells, Sparkman thoroughly enjoyed his weekend visit to the birthplace of Buddy Holly. He had visited Columbia, Missouri the week prior, but felt a definite connection to Wells and his plan to rebuild the Tech program.
“This is a very stressful time,” Sparkman said. “You want to make sure the choice you make is best for you. Coach (Kerry) Lane and my family helped walk me through the process.”
“Tech was closer to my family and that’s one of the reasons. It’s a place where I can focus and work on myself to be a better man. I think it’s a place where I can get stuff done and get ready for the NFL or anything else I want to do.”
7-on-7 State Tournament. TexasFootball’s Greg Powers writes about players to watch on the state 7-on-7 State Tournament and another of Texas Tech’s newest commits receiver Quin Bright as being a player to watch:
WR Quin Bright – Cedar Hill: Bright is a ball of energy on the field. His elite speed and route running skills make him extremely hard to lock down in a one-on-one setting. Bright recently made a commitment to Texas Tech, and he figures to be an elite playmaker in the Red Raiders offense.
Receiver Ja’Lynn Polk is also mentioned and there’s a lot more players there (not necessarily related to Texas Tech) to check out as this is a pretty big tournament.