INSIDE THE NUMBERS

2000-01 record: 24-12; 9-7 in Big 12 (6th) Postseason: Lost to Southern Illinois 76-68 in first round of NCAA East Region. RETURNING LEADERS Points: Emmett 19.0 Rebs: Emmett 6.7 Assists: Powell 3.9 FG: Emmett 51.9% 3pt: Valdez 42.3% FT: Chavis 77.0% 01-02 Stats: Texas Tech | Big 12 KEY LOSSES Kareem Rush | 19.8 ppg Clarence Gilbert | 17.0 Justin Gage | 4.1 rpg PROJECTED STARTERS G | Will Chavis | Senior G | Andre Emmett | Junior G | Nick Valdez | Senior F | Kasib Powell | Senior F | P. Storozynski | Senior Player to Watch Andre Emmett Junior Guard Stronger at nearly 230 pounds, still needs to show consistent outside shot. DATE TO REMEMBER March 3 This is when Big 12 favorite Kansas make its first visit to Lubbock since Knight took over. Sure the Jayhawks have more talent, but the United Spirit Arena will be crazy.

 

TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS

For those people who think coaching is overrated, take a look at the Red Raiders. Before last season, Texas Tech was a Big 12 also-ran, one of those teams that didn't put a lot of fear in anybody. And then Bob Knight arrived in Lubbock. The former Indiana coach showed up, took a Texas Tech team that was short on talent and got it to play at a high level. While the Red Raiders didn't have the talent to compete with the Big 12's big three of Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas -- they lost by at least 25 points to each of the three teams -- they still won 10 league games and tied for third place. Texas Tech finished the season with 23 victories and returned to the NCAA Tournament. It was a masterful coaching job by Knight. This season has the potential to be better for the Red Raiders, as five players who saw significant minutes a year ago return. With a year of experience running Knight's motion offense -- one that requires to read the defense and find the open man instead of running set plays -- the execution of the Red Raiders should be better.

TOUGH ENOUGH..............................
Andre Emmett, who played a year under former Tech coach James Dickey, was pretty much an all offense player before. Emmett's offensive game under Knight flourished. He was able to get into lane and dish, pull up for a mid-range jumper or drive to the basket. Since the end of last season, Emmett has worked on his defense. He's improved to the point where the tough-to-impress Knight has said kind words about it. And as everyone knows, that's high praise.

TOUGH ENOUGH?..............................
Last season, Texas Tech had one of the Big 12's top inside players in Andy Ellis (16.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg). With Ellis gone, somebody's going to have give the Red Raiders an inside presence. Senior Pawel Storozynski will likely be the primary candidate to see his minutes increase. Storozynski, however, fit some of the stereotypes of European players in that he isn't strong defensively. He also has to play more within the motion offense to keep Knight happy.

BOTTOM LINE..............................
The Red Raiders still don't have as much talent as many of the Big 12's top teams, but they have Knight. Texas Tech certainly won't sneak up on people the way they did at the beginning of last season, but the Red Raiders aren't going to be easy to play and they'll probably win a game or two that they're not supposed. Another 20-victory season and another trip to the NCAA Tournament is very realistic.