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MONDAY, NOV. 5, 2018 VOLUME 93 â– ISSUE 21

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NOV. 5, 2018

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WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Under Stollings, Lady Raiders look for success

By SAMUEL MEDLIN Staff Writer

The Texas Tech women’s basketball team is set to tip off the 2018-2019 season against Jacksonville State University at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9, at the United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock.

The Lady Raiders squad is hoping to flip the switch this season, after bringing in new head coach Marlene Stollings, according to Tech Athletics. Stollings was previously the head coach of the University of Minnesota women’s basketball team, where she amassed a record of 82-47 over four years.

“The cultural shift, the transformation that it takes to become winners, and the mentality and the work ethic and the consistency and drive daily that it takes to be winners, and a winning team, and a winning program” Stollings said of the movement she is making with Tech women’s basketball.

“So, at the very basic level, we had to implement that right away, so we can then build into bigger things.”

Last year, Tech finished the regular season with an overall record of 7-23, and a conference record of 1-17, according to Tech Athletics. The Lady Raid-

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ers sole conference win came when they visited the Kansas Jayhawks in Lawrence, Kansas, and emerged victorious, 68-56.

Tech’s roster will feature six familiar faces, since four players left due to graduation, and three more left for other reasons, according to Tech Athletics. The new Lady Raider additions include one lone freshman, along with six new transfer student-athletes.

“Another part of the movement that is very crucial is being able to get your existing players, primarily that we inherited, to believe in something bigger and greater than themselves daily,” Stollings said. “And that by buying into this change of behavior daily, they will see the results, and we will see measurable results daily and also on game days.”

Tech will be without its leading scorer from last season, former Lady Raider center Jada Terry, according to Tech Athletics. Terry led Tech in scoring and rebounding, putting up 10.4 points per contest while also averaging 6.4 boards.

Junior forward Brittany Brewer and junior center Erin Degrate are the Lady Raiders key returning players this season and are ex-

pected to reserve leadership roles on the team, according to Tech Athletics. Brewer averaged 9.5 points and 5 boards per game during her sophomore campaign.

“It’s definitely more of a leadership role; freshman and sophomore year I wasn’t super vocal or anything, and Coach Stollings really expects that out of me this year” Brewer said about her role this season.

“Leading by example is definitely more my style but I’m really glad (Coach Stollings) has challenged me to be more vocal. I’ve seen some great results from it.”

Degrate, the Louisville transfer, averaged 8.1 points and 2.4 rebounds per game last year for the Red Raiders, while also claiming the team’s highest field-goal percentage of .571, according to Tech Athletics. Degrate played in a total of 28 of the team’s 30 games last season.

“For me it’s a little bit difficult because my years in college I didn’t have anybody show me how to be a leader,” Degrate said about taking a leadership role this year.

“It’s just trying to figure it out myself so that I can help the younger players have the best experience.”

With the addition of seven fresh faces, new players leading the team and the newly implemented cultural

change, Stollings and the Lady Raiders are hoping to turn the program back around to its glory days.

“Our season ticket sales are very close to 2,100, based off of obviously some nonsuccessful seasons recently,” Stollings said. “We’re really pleased with that turnout and want to thank our fans for believing and trusting the movement and the process and the changes that are taking place.”

Tech’s non-conference slate features games against Jacksonville State, Louisville-Monroe, Idaho, Texas A&M - Corpus Christi, Houston-Baptist, Stephen F. Austin, Florida, Nevada, Southern, Texas Southern and Abilene Christian. All of Tech’s non-conference games will be at home in the United Supermarkets Arena, aside from away games against Florida and Nevada.

The Lady Raiders’ first conference game will be against Oklahoma University at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2, in Norman, Oklahoma, with the game being broadcast live on Fox Sports Southwest. Tech will face its usual slate of away and home games against each member of the Big 12 before heading to Oklahoma City for the Big 12 Championship in March. @SamMedlinDT

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1) Junior forward Zuri Sanders avoids an opposing defender amidst a drive toward the hoop. FILE PHOTO/The Daily Toreador 2) Sophomore forward Brittany Brewer looks for an open teammate during the game against West Virginia University Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018, in the United Supermarkets Arena. The Mountaineers beat Tech, 74-60. FILE PHOTO/The Daily Toreador 3) Freshman guard Angel Hayden dribbles the ball down the court, searching for an open lane to the basket. FILE PHOTO/The Daily Toreador 4) Junior forward Kiara Shoals anticipates a pass from her teammate during a three-man weave drill. The Tech women’s basketball open practice took place Oct. 31, 2018, in the United Supermarkets Arena. LUIS PERALES/The Daily Toreador 5) Brewer sets up a pick against a male practice opponent in the United Supermarkets Arena. The native of Wylie, Texas, collected 150 rebounds as a sophomore. LUIS PERALES/The Daily Toreador

SPORTS

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MEN’S BASKETBALL

Red Raiders set for early tests with strong schedule

By ELEANOR GUINAN Staff Writer

The Texas Tech men’s basketball team will officially begin its 2018-2019 season on Tuesday, Nov. 6, against the Incarnate Word Cardinals at 6:30 p.m. in the United Supermarkets Arena.

Tech is fresh off a historic season where the team went 27-10 overall and 11-7 in Big 12 Conference play, according to Tech Athletics. The Red Raiders face off against Incarnate Word, who finished the last year with a 7-21 record, according to Incarnate Word Athletics. In the fall, the Cardinals added two new members to their roster to try to improve for the 2018-2019 season.

Graduate student guard Matt Mooney said he is looking forward to starting the season and facing new competition.

“Usually about this time of year you’re tired of playing against your own team and just ready to play against somebody else, beat up on somebody else, so it’s going to be nice to get the season started,” Mooney said.

The Red Raiders’ following game will take place at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9.

Tech will host the Mississippi State Valley Delta Devils in the first of two games as part of the Hall of Fame Classic Regional Round. Last season, the Delta Devils had a rough start when they lost 20 consecutive games to start their season, according to MVSU Athletics.

The last game of the Hall of Fame Classic will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, against the Southern Louisiana Lions. The Lions will be coming into the season with head coach Jay Ladner, who lead the team to a 22-12 record during the 2017-2018 season in his first year as coach, according to SLU Athletics.

Te c h w i l l t r a v e l t o Kansas City, Missouri, to continue in the Hall of Fame Classic at 8:30 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 19, to face off with the University of Southern California. The Trojans were 24-12 last season and 12-6 in Pac-12 Conference play, according to USC Athletics.

The Red Raiders will return to Lubbock for a match-up with the Northern Colorado Bears at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24. In mid-October, senior Bear Jordan Davis was selected for the preseason All-Big Sky First team, according to UNC Athletics.

The Red Raiders will take a trip to Miami, Florida, to compete in the Hoophall Invitational against the Memphis Tigers at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. The Tigers will be led by new head coach Penny Hardaway, who is a former NBA star, according to sportsreference.com.

Memphis was previously coached by Tubby Smith, Tech’s former head coach, before he was fired from Memphis in the off-season.

After the trip to Florida, Tech will return to Lubbock for a three-game homestand. First, the Red Raiders will take on the University of Arkansas at Pine-Bluff

Golden Lions at 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 5.

At 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, Tech will play Northwestern State, which was 4-25 on the season last year, according to Northwestern State Athletics.

Tech will host Abilene Christian University at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, in the Lubbock Municipal Coliseum for the throwback game. This could possibly be the last Red Raider basketball game in the coliseum with plans for the land to be used for other purposes in the works.

The squad will then travel to New York City, New York, to face off with Duke at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, in Madison Square Garden. Last year, Duke made it to the Regional Finals against Kansas and was four points shy of advancing to the Final Four, according to sportsreference.com.

In the pre-season polls, the Blue Devils were picked as the favorite in the Atlantic Coastal Conference. They are also headed into the season with No. 1-ranked recruiting class, according to Duke Athletics, led by preseason rookie of the year RJ Barrett.

The Red Raiders will return to Lubbock for their final game of 2018 for a matchup with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 28. Last season, the Vaqueros placed fifth in the Western Athletics Conference after being 15-18 in the division, according to sportreference.com.

In the first game of 2019, Tech will travel to Morgantown, West Virginia, to face the West Virginia University Mountaineers for the team’s first conference game of the season. The game will take place at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2. Last season, West Virginia had 190 less turnovers than their opponents, according to West Virginia Athletics.

The Mountaineers worked their way into the postseason, making it into the Sweet 16, according to sportsreference.com.

Tech will host Kansas State at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, for the first home Big 12 matchup of the year. In the preseason poll, Kansas was ranked No. 12, according to Kansas State Athletics. KSU played their way into the Elite Eight, until they were beat out by No. 11 Loyola, according to sportsreference.com.

The squad will stay in Lubbock to play the University of Oklahoma at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8. The Sooners went postseason last year as well, but got beat out by Rhode Island in the first round, according to sportsreference.com.

The next Big 12 competitor the team will face is University of Texas at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, in Austin. The Longhorns are predicted to place in fourth in the preseason poll, according to Longhorn Athletics. Texas got to the first game of the NCAA Tournament but lost in the first round to Nevada, according

to sportsreference.com.

The Red Raiders will return home on Wednesday, Jan. 12, to face Iowa State.

In the 2017-2018 season, the Cyclones were 4-14 in Big 12 play, and 13-18 on the season, according to sportsreference.com.

A week later, Tech will travel to Waco to face Baylor at 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan 19. In the off-season, Baylor added four-star recruit Jared Butler who is ranked in the top-100 in the national rankings, according to Baylor Athletics.

Tech will continue its road trip, traveling to Manhattan, Kansas, to face the Wildcats at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 22.

The last non-conference game of the season will be against Arkansas, Saturday Jan. 26 at 5 p.m. in the United Supermarkets Arena for the 2019 SEC/Big 12 Challenge.

Last season, the Razorbacks went 10-8 on the year and finished fourth in the SEC, according to sportsreference.com.

Tech will return to conference play with a home matchup against Texas Christian University at 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 28. The Horned Frogs enter the season ranked No. 21 in the preseason coaches’ poll, according to TCU Athletics.

The squad will then travel to Lawrence, Kansas, to take on the Jayhawks Saturday, Feb. 2. According to Tech Athletics, the game will be aired on CBS. Tech will return home to face West Virginia at 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4. The game is currently scheduled to be broadcasted on ESPN or ESPN2.

The Red Raiders will then take a road trip to Oklahoma, first to Norman to take on the Sooners at 2 p.m. on Feb. 9. They will then travel to Stillwater to face Oklahoma State at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27.

Last year, the Cowboys went 21-15 and finished sixth in the Big 12 conference with a record of 8-10, according to sportsreference.com.

After the trip to Oklahoma, Tech will return to Lubbock to face Baylor at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16.

The Red Raiders will stay at home to host Kansas a week later on Saturday, Feb. 23.

Tech will wrap up another three-game home stretch by hosting Oklahoma State at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27. The team will stay in the state but travel to Fort Worth for its next game to face TCU on Saturday, March 3.

The Red Raiders will return home for their final home game of the season when they take on Texas at 8 p.m. Monday, March 4.

The game will be redshirt seniors Norense Odiase’s and Brandone Francis’ last time to suit up for the Red Raiders at home.

The regular season will wrap up with Tech traveling to Ames, Iowa, to face the Cyclones at 1 p.m.

Saturday, March 9.

For full coverage of the entire 2018-2019 men’s basketball season, follow @TheDT_Sports and visit www.dailytoreador.com. @EleanorGuinanDT

CIARA PEROZZI/The Daily Toreador

Graduate student forward Tariq Owens blocks a shot during the game against The University of Texas at El Paso Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018, in the United Supermarkets Arena. The Red Raiders defeated the Miners, 85-61. Tech officially starts its season on Tuesday, Nov. 6.

CIARA PEROZZI/The Daily Toreador

TOP: Redshirt junior guard Brandone Francis looks down the court during Tech’s game against the Texas Longhorns Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018, in the United Supermarkets Arena. MIDDLE: Then freshman guard Jarrett Culver grabs a rebound during the game against Texas Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018, in the United Supermarkets Arena. Culver returns as one of Tech’s top players for the 2018-2019 season. BOTTOM: Freshman guard Kyler Edwards plays defense during the game against the University of Texas at El Paso Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018, in the United Supermarkets Arena. The Red Raiders defeated the Miners in the exhibition game, 85-61. All proceeds from the game were donated to charity.

OPINIONS

Page 4 Monday, Nov. 5, 2018

CARTOON

@DailyToreador www.dailytoreador.com

COLUMN

Tech basketball poised to follow up miracle season

L

ast year being a sports fan was rough.

The Eagles won the Super Bowl, the Warriors won the NBA Championship to the surprise of nobody and Tech football fell apart down the stretch.

In the midst of it all, Tech basketball strung together its most miraculous season in program history.

Going into the season, Tech wasn’t picked to do much of anything, coming in seventh in the Big 12 preseason poll. Tech had

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COPYRIGHT INFORMATION © Copyright 2018TexasTech University Student Media/The Daily Toreador. All DT articles, photographs and artwork are the property of The DT and Student Media and may not be reproduced or published without permission. The DailyToreador is a designated public forum. Student editors have the authority to make all content decisions without censorship or advance approval.

Austin Watts is a senior journalism major from Sweetwater.

three established players that nobody thought much of, a couple of transfers who looked like little more than outcasts from schools around the country, and finally a plethora of freshman that weren’t really expected to contribute much more than as depth and as rotational players.

Instead, Tech basketball had the greatest season in program history, and it did so with a collection of misfits than nobody saw coming, while being led by a second-year coach who was expected to take time to develop his team for a few years before being able to make a run, in conference play, or the NCAA Tournament.

It all started with the seniors. Point guard Keenan Evans, power forward Zach Smith and small forward Justin Gray were all good players, but they got caught in a coaching change after Tubby Smith departed Tech prior to the 2016 season. The three had no clue what was in store with new hire Chris Beard at head coach, however they stuck around to finish their careers at

Tech. Little did they know that Tech was on track for the best season in program history and their role in that season would go into the record books.

Redshirt junior Norense Odiase had possibly the worst situation of the four left from Tubby’s tenure at Tech, as an injury derailed his 2016-17 season, leaving him with a redshirt and now a year behind his senior teammates he came to Tech with. Despite this, Odiase stepped up and played the five for Tech’s squad, and even as a somewhat undersized center he held his own all year.

Next was the transfers, seniors Tommy Hamilton IV and Niem Stevenson, and junior transfers Brandone Francis and Josh Webster had all started their collegiate careers somewhere else, but somehow found their way to Tech, becoming solid contributors to Tech’s miracle run.

Finally, the freshmen.

Freshman guards Zhaire Smith and Jarrett Culver were a pair of three-star players that were not expected to be contributor’s year one, let along superstars. Along with those two, guard Davide Moretti and forward Malik Ondigo both

had their struggles during the season, but both played their role in the miracle.

From the start, this team just felt different. Evans stepped up and played like one of the best players in the country, while Zach Smith went out with an injury that took one of Tech’s best players off the court. Out of nowhere, Zhaire Smith and Culver stepped up to the surprise of many, and Tech got off to a rolling 6-0 start.

Suddenly, people started to notice the Red Raiders.

Tech lost against Seton Hall after getting ranked, and responded by ripping off eight straight wins, including a win at Kansas’ Allen Fieldhouse, the first in Tech’s history after 17 straight road losses to the Jayhawks. Tech jumped to No. 8 in the AP Top 25 rankings, their highest ranking in well over a decade.

Despite losing three of their next four games, the Red Raiders ripped off another seven straight wins before disaster struck. Evans, the star of the team and one of the best point guards in college basketball, suffered an injury to his foot and suddenly the season appeared to be in jeopardy. Tech lost four straight and was sent reeling after losing their star.

Somehow, despite his injury, Evans came back.

Zach Smith came back. Tech looked like a top ten team again. In the home season finale, Tech dropped their final home game in a close game to Kansas, finishing the season with a ridiculously great 17-1 record at home. Tech’s regular season finish of 23-8 vastly exceeded the expectations set for Tech heading into the season.

In the Big 12 Conference Tournament Tech reached the semifinals for the first time since 2005, before falling to West Virginia, with Kansas ultimately winning the tournament. Despite falling short a Big 12 title, the Red Raiders still had the NCAA Tournament to look forward to.

Tech shattered expectations by getting a third seed in the NCAA Tournament, and the Red Raiders did not disappoint. Tech pulled off back-to-back wins over Stephen F. Austin University and Florida in the Dallas branch of the tournament, before heading to Boston and upsetting the Purdue Boilermakers in the Sweet 16 round of the tournament.

With that win, Tech made program history.

The collection of misfits,

of players that nobody expected anything of, had put together the greatest season in Tech history.

Despite the injuries, Tech battled back and made the Elite Eight for the first time in program history. The Red Raiders lost their next game to the eventual-champions, but it didn’t matter for this team’s legacy. Tech had done what many had thought was unthinkable, with a collection of players that everyone underestimated, led by a coach that was just in his second year at a Power 5 school.

Now, we sit and await the dawn of the next season of college basketball.

Most of the players from last year ’s miracle season have left, with just a handful of players from last year ’s team back.

Beard is entering his third season as head coach and several transfers and freshmen have joined the ranks. The best word to describe this new season is “exciting.”

Tech isn’t picked to do much this season, coming in seventh in the Big 12 preseason poll. This is just what they need, for nobody to see them coming again. @DailyToreador

COLUMN

Photographing Tech basketball provides incomparable experience

D

ay to day life as a part of the multimedia staff for The Daily Toreador can include photographing events such as Town Hall meetings, Board of Regents meetings, meetings and more meetings.

Working at The DT has exposed me to parts of Texas Tech and Lubbock’s inner workings in a way that I would have never been a part of otherwise, and for that I am eternally grateful.

This environment provides a unique opportunity to work directly with the most important people and events in our community.

With that comes the occasional meeting, but it also comes with Tech Basketball.

At the home games, the other photographers, videographers and I sit directly on the court, right below the rim and to either side of the goal. So, this means that when the University of Texas head coach, Shaka Smart, is

LETTERS The Daily Toreador welcomes letters from readers. Letters must be no longer than 300 words and must include the author’s name,

Ciara Perozzi is a junior eletronic media and communication major from Commerce

screeching with a boiling red face at his players during the second period of a Tech home game, I get a front row seat for it.

When sophomore guard Jarrett Culver comes down from a dunk and pounds his chest out of a pure competitive, dogeat-dog nature, there is a very good chance that he almost stepped on me in the process.

My point is, all the action that makes people bolt out of their recliners and scream at their TV’s is amplified to a level that is sometimes incomprehensible when you are sitting two feet away from the entire team.

Being a photographer for this sport places you at the literal feet of athletes who are praised nationwide and with that comes a certain sense of pressure that is

signature, phone number, student ID number and a description of university affiliation. Students should include year in school, major and hometown. We reserve the right to edit letters. Anonymous letters will not be accepted for publication. All letters will be verified before they are published. Letters can be emailed to dailytoreador@ ttu.edu or brought to 180 Media and Communication. Letters should be sent in before 3 p.m. to ensure the editors have enough time to verify and edit the submission.

slightly addicting. Think about it this way, sometimes when you walk away from watching a game, there is that one play on constant replay in your mind — that one alley-oop in the first period that gracefully glided into a player ’s hands to complete a dunk or a nose dive into the scoreboard in desperate attempts to save the ball, that moment in time becomes the postcard of what that specific game entailed and my job is to make sure I captured it to put on the postcard.

When it happens, a small shriek of excitement blurts out as soon I check my camera after the play.

But, sometimes I check and immediately validate my conspiracy that the referee has a personal vendetta against me because his leg became two-thirds of my shot for the tenth time.

As a young woman in a field of predominately older men, I have to constantly

break through barriers and glances that reek “she must be lost.” If you’re a woman reading this, you know the feeling I’m talking about.

If you’re a man reading this, make sure you’re not the one that reeks of misogyny before you even open your mouth. Encountering moments like that has become a routine part of working in a male-dominated field, but I would take those small moments amplified times a thousand to photograph basketball.

Yes, this job provides access to the other collegiate sports at Tech that are thrilling and unique in their own way. But in my opinion, basketball is its own entity and experience entirely. The hustle and intensity of the players minute after minute never diminishes but rather converts into even more fuel for their passion. There is a nature to the sport of basketball that requires a certain level of tenacity and grit

GUEST COLUMNS The Daily Toreador accepts submissions of unsolicited guest columns. While we cannot acknowledge receipt of all columns, the authors of those selected for publication will be notified. Guest columns should be no longer than 650 words in length and on a topic of relevance to the university community. Guest columns are also edited and follow the same guidelines for letters as far as identification and submittal.

which is hard to see at this capacity in other sports.

For Tech basketball, it’s on display every time one of those players lace up their Under Armour shoes and step into the United Supermarkets Arena.

L a s t y e a r, I p h o t o graphed former Tech guard and now member of the NBA Philadelphia 76ers, Zhaire Smith, in his collegiate debut. This is a small example that shows how this job hands our photographers and videographers a ticket to sports history, along with the opportunity to save that moment forever in a photograph.

Red Raider basketball is forming into something extraordinary and I can hardly wait to see how many picture-perfect postcards my team and I can hand deliver to readers of The Daily Toreador. Don’t forget to check the mail. @DailyToreador

EDITORIALS Unsigned editorials appearing on this page represent the opinion of The DailyToreador. All other columns, letters and artwork represent the opinions of their authors and are not necessarily representative of the editorial board, Texas Tech University, its employees, its student body or the Board of Regents. The DailyToreador is independent of the College of Media and Communication. Responsibility for the editorial content of the newspaper lies with the student editors.

LA VIDA

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CAMPUS

Students share excitement for basketball season

By BRIANNA MALDONADO Staff Writer

The United Supermarkets Arena will fill with eager and spirited fans ready for the Texas Tech men’s basketball team to impress once again.

James Blanton, a senior accounting major from Plano, said he loves basketball season because of the environment inside the arena.

Seating just over 15,000 people, according to the United Supermarket Arena website, Blanton said the noise and echoes inside can sometimes feel more electric than Jones AT&T Stadium.

When ESPN’s College GameDay visited Lubbock Feb. 24 for the ranked matchup against Kansas last season, Blanton camped outside and stayed overnight. He said he hopes College GameDay makes an appearance again and encourages every student

to take the opportunity and be part of the school pride.

“It’s an experience I’ll always remember,” he said, “A time I’ll never forget.”

Blanton said the basketball team’s previous success has come from Tech coach, Chris Beard. From working with players he hasn’t coached before – freshman and transfers – Blanton said he is excited to see what Beard can do with the team. “[Beard] is a role model and a leader, and I think he can really change a team,” Blanton said. “I think we’re all expecting high things from him and hopefully he can deliver.”

As a December graduate, Blanton said he still plans on traveling from Dallas to attend any weekend home basketball games.

From growing up in Lubbock, Wes Law, a junior advertising major, said he has always been a big fan of the team. Even though

they have been viewed as an underdog, Law said Tech basketball has become a consistent talking piece in the media.

“I want our team to be great. I want success,” Law said. “Outside of that, just solidifying Texas Tech as something that is a household name for people.”

Although the team came in seventh in Big 12 preseason rankings, according to Tech Athletics, Law said he thinks the team was ranked low because most of the experienced players graduated. However, he said the team is going to prove everybody wrong.

“I know a lot of people aren’t really expecting much out of our team,” Law said.

“I really think they’re going to be as good, if not better, this year than they were last year. That’s kind of a big statement, but I think we lost experience, and we replaced that experience

with extra talent.”

With viewing the games last year, Law said he expects sophomore shooting guard Jarrett Culver to lead the way for the team.

After being acknowledged on SportsCenter for the student section, he said the athletic department decided to put a name in the works for the student section. The leaders, him included, will create chants, wear costumes and use props to make the student section as noticeable as possible, Law said.

“The students at Tech have always been crazy and disruptive in any sport,” Law said, “That plays a much bigger role in basketball when the section can be just a few feet away from the other team.”

Even though Shelbie Rhodes, a freshman journalism major from Little Elm, has never been to a Tech basketball game,

FILE PHOTO/The Daily Toreador

Texas Tech fans get loud during a timeout on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018 at United Supermarkets Arena. Students get into men’s and women’s basketball games for free with their University ID. she said she has watched them for years. Being a big sports fan, Rhodes said she has high expectations for the season.

“I’m excited to wait in the long lines to get in the games.

I’m excited to intimidate other schools with our student section,” she said. “I’m just overall excited for our (Red Raiders) to show out and keep our name on the map.” @DailyToreador

CAMPUS

Fan engagement efforts promote student involvement

By BRENNA HALE Staff Writer

For the upcoming Texas Tech men’s and women’s basketball seasons, Tech students will be able to take advantage of the department’s fan engagement efforts that are intended to amplify the gameday atmosphere.

Associate athletics director of communications and marketing, Drew Ingraham, said that the engagement team has been working closely with the student group, Raider Riot, to create a strong student presence during basketball games.

“I think the big thing we’re focusing on is continuing to enhance our gameday atmosphere for basketball, making it as crowd engaging as possible,” Ingraham said.

Raider Riot distributed t-shirts to the first 3,000 students in the Red Raiders exhibition match against the University of Texas El Paso Miners Thursday, Nov. 1, as the banner recognizing

FILE PHOTO/The Daily Toreador

Texas Tech students hold up signs during a game on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018 in the United Supermarkets Arena. The fan engagement team works to create a strong student presence during the games. the men’s 2018 Elite Eight team was unveiled. Additionally, the fan engagement team gave out 10,000 replicas of the banner to all fans in attendance, and the first 500 students to enter the game were offered free wings from a Wingstop food trailer outside the United Supermarkets Arena.

Finally, attendees at the UTEP contest received early entrance to the Tech football game against Oklahoma Saturday, Nov. 3.

Assistant director of promotions and fan engagement, Taylor Karrh, said the student section area on the concourse at the United will continue to of-

fer fatheads, costumes, and spirit items that may be familiar to students from last season. He also gave recognition to the student lounge’s efforts toward creating the best experience possible for students.

“The fatheads have been a real popular thing across the nation, so students can

come choose their favorite fathead, from Ron Swanson to the Grinch to Patrick Mahomes,” Karrh said.

Another staple from past seasons that will be continued into this season include the in-game emcee, Dorian Williams, who is a graduate student at Texas Tech and a former student athlete. Williams will narrate on-court contests, T-Shirt tosses and other endeavors to get Tech’s crowd involved. Also, an in-game DJ will be joining Williams this season.

The engagement team will also feature different promotions on a gameby-game basis, assistant athletic director of promotions and fan engagement Gene Canal said. Amongst the promotions are various halftime performances and surprise giveaways.

As was the case in Tech’s exhibition with the Miners, students who attend the Red Raiders contest against the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils

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will receive a wristband for early entry to the football game against the University of Texas at Jones AT&T Stadium Saturday, Nov. 10. After the football and basketball collaboration, the next promotion from Tech’s engagement team is a food drive held during the Red Raiders game against Southeastern Louisiana University, slated for Tuesday, Nov. 13. with tipoff coming at 6:30 p.m.

Tech Athletics recognizes the impact Red Raider fans played on last season’s success and are looking to cultivate the excitement surrounding the basketball program as a whole.

“The men’s team had a 17-1 home record last y e a r, a n d t h e s t u d e n t section was a large part of that,” Ingraham said.

“Participation from students is very important to Coach Beard and to us.

We’re always open to ideas from students.” @BrennaHaleDT

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SPORTS

NOV. 5, 2018

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CAMPUS

Senior Norense Odiase reflects on final season

By ELEANOR GUINAN Staff Writer

No one has been on the Texas Tech men’s basketball roster longer than redshirt senior center Norense Odiase.

After joining the team in 2014, he is now in his final year as a Red Raider and continues to be the team’s leader.

Now he wants the team to make a run for another appearance in March Madness.

Originally from Fort Worth, Odiase said he had a hard time adjusting to life outside the metroplex. He credits his teammates Keenan Evans and Zach Smith for his smooth

transition to life at Tech.

“It was tough, but luckily we had guys like Keenan and Zach, kind of from the same area from the metroplex, doing the same thing coming here to the city they don’t know, never been before, so that made it a lot easier,” Odiase said.

Since Odiase’s introduction to the team, he has thrived on the support he has received from the Lubbock community. In his freshman year, he worked his way to seventh place in the Big 12 by gathering 2.3 of 4.7 rebounds offensively, according to Tech Athletics.

On Nov. 24, he was named

CIARA PEROZZI/The Daily Toreador

Then Redshirt junior center Norense Odiase stands aside as a teammate shoots a free-throw during the game against Iowa State University Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018, in the United Supermarkets Arena. Odiase has been on the team the longest of anyone of Tech’s roster.

the Rookie of the Week and earned season highs in total points, rebounds and blocks, according to Tech Athletics.

He continued the success until he broke his foot during his second year at Tech. After his recovery, he came back and was part of the All-Big 12 Academic First Team in the 2017-2018 season.

“I chose Texas Tech because of the culture here, my brother went here as well, my mom wanted us to be close,” Odiase said. “Also, the coach that was here previously recruited me here, so that’s initially why I came, why I stayed was the staff we have now, and just the culture and the winning we’ve brought here, so that’s why I stayed.”

Last season, the Red Raiders went 17-1 at home, the best in the Big 12, according to Tech Athletics. Naturally, the Lubbock support, fan base and atmosphere on game day is what Odiase said is his favorite part about playing at Tech.

“Just the fans, being around the community, the fans, this is what they love, this is their sports team, their town,” he said. “On home games we have the best crowd in America, so

just the feeling in the arena when we have tip offs.”

Odiase said his biggest role model in his life is his mother because of her commitment to family and God. “She’s very strong, she’s very smart, very compassionate woman, very God-fearing,” he said. “Her relationship with Christ and just building her family on that is what I admire the most about my mom.”

When Odiase graduates from Tech, he said he wants to play basketball professionally. After he stops rebounding and blocking shots, he plans to make a career in the sports industry.

“I want to continue playing basketball at any level, God willing NBA, but wherever God takes me,” Odiase said. “After that just something around sports marketing, things like that.”

Tech’s historic run to the Elite Eight is an experience Odiase said he wants to recreate for the new guys on the squad.

“It was amazing. It was something to really remember and remember the process what we did to get back there this year,” Odiase said.

“So it was amazing, very,

FILE PHOTO/The Daily Toreador

Center Norense Odiase goes up for a layup on Saturday, March 3, 2018 in the United Supermarkets Arena. Odiase is now in his last season as a Red Raider. very important time in my life (and) I’m hoping and wanting that for this team, these guys.”

The freshman talent on the team caught Odiase’s eye, and he said he believes the young recruits can help Tech make another run. If they continue training, the freshmen can guide the team to a return to the postseason.

“They’re really good, they’re really good guys, they can do anything on the court,” Odiase said. “I feel like they will help us. As long as they buy in like

they have and continue to listen and continue to work, they should really help our team grow and help us compete for the NCAA championship.”

As the new season approaches, Odiase said the team plans to channel the lessons learned during last season’s success. “(It’s a) new team, new guys so it’s always exciting to come off a great year and duplicate that again,” Odiase said. “That’s what I’m really looking forward to.” @EleanorGuinanDT

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Texas coach Shaka Smart faces big season in Austin AUSTIN (AP) — After three years in Austin, Texas coach Shaka Smart has the Longhorns back where he found them: winning in the regular season and losing early in the NCAA Tournament.

That wasn’t good enough to keep predecessor Rick Barnes around. So entering the fourth season of a guaranteed seven-year contract, just how warm is that seat under Smart heading into the 2018-2019 season? He wouldn’t know, or at least he doesn’t care enough to take the temperature.

“I don’t sit down,” Smart joked.

He can smile because he knows athletic director Chris Del Conte has repeatedly voiced his support for Smart. But Smart is also just 50-50 at Texas.

Smart’s Longhorns rebounded from a disastrous season in 2016-2017 to return to the NCAA Tournament in 2018. Their stay was short as they lost in the first round for the third consecutive time and fifth in the last seven tournament appearances.

So what’s different this year?

For the first time in

a couple of years, Smart isn’t relying on a freshman to come in and take over his team. Two years ago, it was Jarrett Allen. Last year, it was Mo Bamba.

Both were expected to be one-and-done players and both went on to be high NBA draft picks.

“I like the fact our four best players are not freshmen,” Smart said. “I invited the freshmen to be one of the best players. Right now, I like the fact that if we played a game today, the guys with the biggest roles have already done it on a Big 12 level.”

Senior Kerwin Roach should lead the way. Roach averaged 12.3 points and consistently draws the toughest defensive assignment.

“He’s by far our most accomplished player,” Smart said. “He wants to come back and be the best twoway player that he can be, in the country.”

The Longhorns open the season at home Nov. 6 against Eastern Illinois.

NEW BODY Forward Jericho Sims showed great potential last season but delivered in short spurts. Sims added muscle to go with his spec-

tacular leaping ability. He averaged five points and 3.9 rebounds last season and will be expected to deliver a lot more as a sophomore.

“His body has really changed,” Smart said. “We have these before and after pictures, I thought he came in with a good body, but you can really see a difference.

He will have to handle the mental adjustments to being one of the best players on the floor.”

CLOSE GAMES Texas struggled to close out games, losing eight times in games it led in the final minute or got to overtime.

“We jammed that down their throat. We talked a lot this summer how it’s a game of inches,” Smart said. “Get one rebound ...

I think its understanding what goes into winning throughout the game, but (also) when it comes to ‘winning time’ the last 6 minutes or 60 seconds.”

EMOTIONAL RETURN Junior guard Andrew Jones’ season was cut short by a leukemia diagnosis and treatment. He has been trying to make a return to the team. He was working out with teammates when

practice resumed but Smart wouldn’t commit to whether Jones will play this season.

Then Jones fractured a toe in practice, setting him back again. If he plays, it will likely come at home where he’ll have a chance for an emotional embrace from Texas fans.

“It’s great to see the progress he’s made,” Smart said. “It’s not fair to expect him be at or anywhere near 100 percent of what he was before his leukemia diagnosis. Our biggest emphasis has been to get his body back to full strength.”

OFFENSIVE CHANGE-UP When Smart had Allen and Bamba, Texas had post players who were the primary focus of the offense.

The Longhorns should be much more guard-oriented this year. “ Tw o y e a r s a g o , o u r guards were poor,” Smart said. “We took a step last year. We want to take another step. The teams at the top have really good guards and guards who can control a game.”

NO CONSISTENCY Texas didn’t win consecutive games in the Big 12 during the regular season in 2017-2018.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Mahomes throws 3 TDs, KC Chiefs move to 8-1 CLEVELAND (AP) — With almost every flick of his right wrist, the legend of Patrick Mahomes grows.

And he's just beginning.

Only 10 games into his NFL career, Kansas City's young quarterback is doing things that have never been done before.

Mahomes passed for 375 yards, threw three touchdown passes — two to Cleveland native Travis Kelce — and continued the best start by a QB in 68 years as Kansas City's impossible-to-handle offense kept rolling with a

37-21 win on Sunday over the Cleveland Browns, who played their first game since coach Hue Jackson's firing.

Kareem Hunt, who also has Cleveland connections, had two scoring runs and one receiving for the Chiefs (8-1), who came in averaging 36.3 points with an offense overloaded with weapons for Mahomes.

The 23-year-old used all of them in winning his first pro matchup against Baker Mayfield and the Browns (2-6-1).

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SPORTS

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NOV. 5, 2018

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Stollings brings new era to Tech

By DANIELLE DIXSON Staff Writer

The Texas Tech women’s basketball team is set to open its 2018-2019 season Thursday, Nov. 9, hosting Jacksonville State University at the United Supermarkets Arena.

The home opener will be the Lady Raiders’ first game with their new head coach, who has garnered multiple records and accolades throughout her coaching career.

In April, Director of Tech Athletics Kirby Hocutt announced the hiring of Marlene Stollings, former coach of the Minnesota University Gophers.

With Tech coming off a 12-game losing streak and ending its 2017-2018 season with a 7-23 record, the Lady Raiders have high hopes that Stollings will be the change they need.

“We’re extremely excited to welcome Coach Stollings to the Texas Tech athletic family,” Hocutt said according to Tech Athletics. “She has experienced tremendous success and has a proven process to return our Lady Raider program back to great heights.”

Prior to coming to Tech, Stollings spent four seasons at the University of Minnesota as head coach. During her tenure she broke multiple records, led the Gophers to an 82-47

record, had three seasons with 20 wins and three postseason appearances including a trip to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

In the 2017-2018 season, Stollings and her team made their second NCAA Tournament appearance, marking the second time to advance in her four years at the helm. On top of the postseason berth, her team also broke several school records, including points (2,803), points per game (84.9), field goals made (997) and fewest turnovers (412) in one season.

The records Stollings set while at Minnesota were stagnant for quite some time prior to her takeover. In 2016, Stollings was noted as the second-fastest coach to rack up 50 wins in Minnesota history. En route to inking her name into the record books, Stollings reached her 100th career victory.

Before arriving to Minnesota, Stollings spent two seasons atop the staff at Virginia Commonwealth University, where she led her team to one of the top turnarounds in the nation during the 2013-2014 campaign, according to Tech Athletics. Stollings concluded the restoration season with an overall record at 22-10, accounting for the third most

wins in program history.

However, the first endeavor in Stollings respective career came as a head coach of the Winthrop University women’s basketball team in the 2011-2012 season, where she led the Eagles to an 18-13 overall record.

Stollings winning debut season as a coach earned her the Big South Conference Coach of the Year accolade.

Stollings is well known as a leader who helps programs turn things around, as she has led three teams to recovery seasons throughout her career, and she is looking forward to making the Lady Raider squad her fourth recoup.

“Texas Tech has a storied tradition of success, and I am eager to return this program to national prominence,” Stollings said.

Stollings has implemented a plan known as “the movement” amongst the student-athletes, intended to turn the Lady Raiders into the winning team she believes they can be. The newcomer to Tech said one of the biggest changes she has seen since “the movement” was put into action is a cultural shift of the Lady Raiders’ mentality, work ethic and the consistent daily drive that is essential to winning.

The new coach is looking

forward to seeing her team’s ambition transfer over to the court.

“Being able to bring all pieces of things that they have worked so hard on in the last few months into a real-life game setting,” Stollings said. “That’s the next immediate thing that’s coming up here their way and it’s exciting.”

Part of Stollings plan is implementing a new style of play for the Lady Raiders. In the first few games of Tech’s season, she is looking for players to embrace the new, up-tempo game plan focused on maintaining possession throughout the competitions.

The mental aspect of the game is also something Stollings said she tries to focus on daily. The recordbreaking coach said she wants to focus on smaller victories that stem from successfully doing a drill in practice or seeing results from hard work in the weight room.

“We had a big accomplishment recently in practice with one of our drills,” Stollings said. “It’s something we’ve been working on for months now, and we finally reached the goal in which we were looking at or trying to go for. I think those victories, however small they

STEPHEN SINGLETON/The Daily Toreador

Newly appointed head coach for the Lady Raiders Basketball team, Marlene Stollings, answers questions from the media on Wednesday, April 11, 2018 in the United Supermarkets Arena.

Coach Stollings is fresh off of an NCAA Tournament appearance with the University of Minnesota. may seem to the outside world, those small victories in the big picture of where this program is headed will pay major dividends.”

This year, the Lady Raiders have high hopes of redemption with a successful

coach who has the credentials to show for it. If Stollings can simply continue to do what she has done in previous coaching ventures, the Lady Raiders are destined to emerge as a winning team. @DaniDixsonDT

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Mountaineers tie for first place in Big 12 Air Force mascot improving after injury AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — West Virginia likes this view: The Mountaineers are tied with Oklahoma for first place in the Big 12 Conference with three games left in the regular season.

The Sooners have seen this view before, but it’s a whole new world for West Virginia in early November.

The Mountaineers got to stay there another week thanks to a swaggering 4241 win at Texas on Saturday that took quarterback Will Grier throwing a laser of a touchdown with 16 seconds left, then going to his fourth option on a 2-point conver-

sion to run it in before flashing a double-barreled downward “hook ‘em horns” hand signal that drew a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.

And it took coach Dana Holgorsen having the guts to call the game-winning play — twice. The coach had actually decided to go for the win before the Mountaineers started their final drive.

And penalty or not, there was no stopping Grier from an emphatic gesture to cap off a victory that kept the Mountaineers in the hunt for their first Big 12 title since joining the league in 2012.

There were plenty of “horns

down” signs flashing after the game when the officials couldn’t do anything about it.

“I would imagine it would give our team some confidence,” Holgorsen said. “We wanted to win this one pretty bad ... That will give us some momentum going forward.”

No. 7 West Virginia (7-1, 5-1 Big 12, No. 13 CFP) and No. 6 Oklahoma (7-1, 5-1, No. 7 CFP) are tied for first after the Sooners survived a wild 51-46 win at Texas Tech. The two teams will play a Nov. 23 matchup in Morgantown — though there also could be a rematch in the conference championship game a week later.

AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AP) — An Air Force falcon injured at West Point during an apparent prank before Saturday’s annual rivalry game between the two service academies is back home and showing signs of improvement.

The 22-year-old bird named Aurora “was able to fly around in her pen” on Sunday, said Air Force Academy spokesperson Lt. Col. Tracy A. Bunko.

The development is “an extremely good sign,” Bunko said, adding that the academy is “grateful for the outpouring of support and opti-

mistic for Aurora’s recovery.”

The falcon will continue to be evaluated and will get antibiotics to prevent infection, Bunko said.

Army officials at West Point apologized Sunday for the injuries to the falcon and promised a full investigation.

“We are taking this situation very seriously, and this occurrence does not reflect the Army or USMA core values of dignity and respect,” the academy said in a statement.

The Gazette of Colorado Springs reported that the falcon was taken from an Army colonel’s home in a prank by

West Point cadets, according to an Air Force representative who spoke to the newspaper on the condition of anonymity.

Aurora is the Air Force Academy’s official and oldest mascot. On the school’s falconry page, the bird is described as a white phase gyrfalcon, which is a “falcon species that is extremely rare in the wild and whose beauty will take your breath away.”

Three percent of all falcons are gyrfalcons, and 1 percent of those are white, according to the website.

The school acquired Aurora 22 years ago as a gift from the association of graduates.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Notre Dame start season at No. 1 in women’s college basketball poll NEW YORK (AP) — Muffet McGraw and Notre Dame start the new season where they left off — atop women’s college basketball.

The Irish were the unanimous No. 1 team in The Associated Press women’s basketball preseason poll that was released Wednesday.

The defending national champions received all 31 first-place votes from a national media panel. It’s only the second time that McGraw’s team has been the preseason No. 1 team. It also occurred in 2016. The Irish return four starters from last season’s team that battled through a bunch of ACL injuries before winning the school’s second national championship.

McGraw was honored that the team was ranked first, but feels that there are a lot of good teams in college basketball this year.

“Parity is creeping in.

I think there are a lot of good teams that are on the radar and some that are under it. It will be interesting to see,” she said.

“People picked up some good freshmen.”

UConn was second in the poll, ending a run of 34 consecutive weeks at No. 1. The Huskies have been in the top five every week since Jan. 29, 2007.

“We are No. 2 on reputation. I don’t know we’re No. 2 on merit, that’s for sure,” UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. “We are like the Sophia Loren of basketball. We’ve looked good for a long time.”

Oregon followed the Huskies, earning the best ranking in program history. The Ducks have lofty expectations this year.

“Look at what we’ve done in a few short years, that doesn’t happen very often in a Power Five conference,” Oregon coach Kelly Graves said. “It’s hard to make a move in these conferences with established powers. I’m proud of what we’ve done and hope to keep it going. I felt this was a sleeping giant here.

Everything was in place for us to be considered among the best programs. That’s started to play itself out.”

Baylor and Louisville were fourth and fifth.

Mississippi State, Stanford, Oregon State, Maryland and South Carolina rounded out the top 10 teams. Eight is the best ranking in the preseason for Oregon State in the program’s history.

Here are a few other tidbits from the preseason Top 25 rankings: WE’RE GOING STREAKING: UConn kept

its run of being ranked going, appearing in the Top 25 for the 470th consecutive week. That’s 191 more weeks than Baylor which is second on the active list.

Notre Dame, Maryland and South Carolina round out the top five active streaks.

Tennessee still holds the

longest run of being ranked at 565 consecutive weeks in the poll which ended in 2016.

RETURN OF THE H AW K E Y E S : I o w a w a s ranked in the preseason for the first time since the 2014 poll. The No. 13 position was the team’s best since

Feb. 16, 2015, when the Hawkeyes were also 13th.

Iowa hasn’t been ranked higher than No. 13 since it was 11 in the 1997 season.

CONFERENCE BREAKDOWN: The Atlantic Coast

Conference and Southeastern Conference each had six teams in the Top 25.

The Pac-12 had five with the American, Big East, Big Ten and Big 12 each having two.

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NEWS

NOV. 5, 2018

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CAMPUS

Arena accommodates for multiple events

By MATTHEW SETZEKORN News Editor

The United Supermarkets Arena sees hundreds of events

each year including concerts, basketball games and wrestling matches. With the wide array of events taking place in the same space in short

periods of time, the arena and its staff have to remain flexible to accommodate the interior changes the building goes through for each event.

STEPHEN SINGLETON/The Daily Toreador

The United Supermarkets Arena lays quiet in the wake of a top-10 showdown between Texas Tech and Kansas on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018. A variety of events take place at the USA, including concerts and commencements.

It’s an extensive process to flip the arena for one event and get it ready for the next, Meredith Imes, associate director of event coordination and management, said. This process includes hours of work with priority starting in the bowl of the arena.

“So, if we were to have a basketball game following a concert, we would load the show out and they’re usually finished around 2 or 3 a.m. is when they’re rolling out of the parking lot, and then we start our in-house conversion,” Imes said. “So, that means we are picking up the tile, if they didn’t bring their own stage and used ours we’re taking down the stage, putting the seats back into configuration, making sure the courts clean, making sure the benches are back up, making sure the goals up, the goal pads, making sure everything’s completely ready.”

The process of converting the bowl section of the arena usually takes around 16 workers and one

supervisor, depending on the show, Imes said. The process also takes about four to six hours, usually happening overnight.

The bowl section is not the only section of the arena required to be changed depending on events. Dressing rooms need to be reverted back to locker rooms and even the press conference room needs to reverted back after being used as an office space, Imes said.

“We have lots of checklists, we have lots of different areas that we focus on,” Imes said “Not including the floor, we also have a crew that handles all of the other areas.”

All of the tasks listed are only a small portion of what is needed to convert the stadium to accommodate the next event’s needs. The crew’s tasks and when they get them done depends on when the next event takes place.

“If it’s an early game, obviously everything is pushed up and we may have more people to help get it ready,” Imes said. “If

it’s a later game, that gives us the next day to kind of take care of some other areas out of the main floor viewing so we can get the whole building ready.”

Although, for the most part, the floor and bowl section are the priority to finish first, whatever the team needs will also be a priority as well as cleaning the arena.

“We also want to make sure everything is clean and ready for the guests who are coming,” Imes said. “That’s one of those things that we can attack the day of an event and get it ready.”

It is an interesting process to experience as it all depends on what the event or team needs are as it changes from event to event, Imes said.

“That is what’s so neat about this industry is that depending on the needs of the concert or the needs of the basketball game, there could be spaces that are used,” Imes said. @MattSetzekornDT

CAMPUS

Concessions offer wide range of options

By AKHILA REDDY L a Vida Editor

For many basketball fans, concessions play a key role in the game day experience. At the United Supermarkets Arena, an evolving menu along with revamped concession stands promise fans a variety of choices.

The concessions available at the arena change to meet customer demand and food trends, Yvette Solis, the assistant general manager and director of catering at Spectra Food Services, said.

“We like to change, we like to stay up with what’s in and change the product so that we keep it interesting for the guests to come and enjoy it,” she said.

While old standbys such as pretzels, hot dogs and hamburgers will always be available, newer menu items include bowls and quesadillas, Charlie Carrizalez, general manager at Spectra Food Services said.

Carrizalez oversees concessions at all sports venues on the Texas Tech campus, including the USA. “One of the things we’re actually doing that I started late last year is having some bowls, we call them ‘Big 12 bowls,’” Carrizalez said.

Last year, options included an Asian bowl with rice on the bottom with an Asian chicken mixture and a fiesta bowl with rice on the bottom with a meat mixture topped with pico de gallo, he said. More bowls options

will be added this year.

Other relatively new menu items include street tacos and chicken quesadillas. Three corn tortilla tacos come per order and they can be either pork or chicken. The chicken quesadillas are made to order.

The newer menu items are part of a move toward heavier food items to elevate and expand on basic concession foods, he said. These heavier foods can serve as full meals instead of just snacks.

“We want it to be one event when they come here. You’re going to come here and you can grab your favorite food item, you can sit here and watch the basketball game, so it’s a whole event,” he said.

“You’ve had dinner and you’ve watched the game.”

Carrizalez and his team are still testing the new items to be put on the menu this season. “(The new menu items) will not only be in one stand,” he said. “What I try to do when I come out with a menu item is I try to put them in the different stands so one stand doesn’t get super congested.”

Other changes include newly designed concession stands, he said.

“One of the things I‘m doing this year is I’m doing a revamp on all of our stands,” he said.

“I’m in the process of having that done. I’m hoping to have it completed by December when we start conference play. But we’re going to revamp our concession stands and bring some life to those concession stands.”

The new stands will have different names and decor, he said, although the food will be similar to what was previously offered.

All of the food, including both new and old items, served at the concessions stand is fresh, Solis said, in line with the company’s ‘Everything’s Fresh’ approach where items are assembled in front of guests.

“We try to do as much as we can from scratch and make sure it’s coming off of the grill, not just precooked and warmed up, you know the way you would see at most fast food restaurants that just run it through heat lamp or something,” Solis said.

Everything is cooked right there behind the stands on the grills and fryers, Solis said. This approach to the food results in a higher quality product.

Prices for the food range from $5 to $10, Colette Jungberg, the office manager for Spectra Food Services, said

The bigger baskets of food are in the $12 range as well, he said.

Ten percent of the profits from food sales go to the nonprofits who run the concession stands during the game, she said.

“It helps the community,” Junberg said.

Concessions are a big part of game day requiring a lot of work, Solis said. The staff comes in five hours early to ensure everything is organized and the experience is as good as possible for costumers.

“The concessions stands, you wouldn’t know all the work that goes into it, but if it wasn’t open it would definitely be missed,” Solis said. “It’s the first

thing that they hit before they even check their seat. The general public goes and they scans their ticket in and go straight to the concession stand.”

The concessions will continue to evolve in the future, Solis said, so fans can get the best experience possible.

“We’re always going to serve a hot dog. We’re always going to serve chicken tenders and hamburgers, but we’ve changed how we give more options,” Solis said. “We go towards the direction of innovation, trying new food items at concession stands because we don’t want the fans to get bored.” @AkhilaReddyDT

AP

Trump focused on Senate before midterms MACON, Ga. (AP) — President Donald Trump appeared to distance himself from the fate of House Republican candidates Sunday as he devotes his

final two days before Tuesday’s midterm elections to helping Senate and gubernatorial candidates.

Speaking to reporters as he left the White House

en route to get-out-the-vote rallies in Georgia and Tennessee on Sunday, Trump said Republican enthusiasm is higher than he’s ever seen — but he seemed to dampen expectations for his party in the House.

“I think we’re going to do well in the House,” he said of Tuesday’s races. “But, as you know, my primary focus has been on the Senate, and I think we’re doing really well in the Senate.”

The comments mark the starkest indication that Trump has grown less optimistic about the GOP’s chances of retaining control of the House, where Republicans face greater headwinds than in the Senate. And they came as Trump’s travels in the closing stretch before midterms that could profoundly change his presidency are largely taking him to traditionally Republican states to campaign on behalf of statewide candidates.

SPORTS

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NOV. 5, 2018

Texas Tech Players to Watch Red Raiders

9

Lady Raiders

Compiled by Austin Watts

Compiled by Gabrielle Taite

Jarret Culver sophomore guard

Culver averaged 11.2 points per game in his freshman season, along with 4.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. As the returning leading scorer for Tech, Culver is expected to shoulder a good portion of Tech’s scoring this season. The biggest thing to watch will be if he can devel-

op the clutch trait that made former Red Raider Keenan Evans so good last season.

Culver showed an ability to drive the rim, score from the perimeter and defend any position last season.

Tech will need Culver to expand on that role as a leader this season.

Norense Odiase senior center

Odiase is the most experienced player on Tech’s roster as he enters his fifth season as a Red Raider. Odiase’s worth on the court is more on the defensive end, as he is a fearless defender and excellent rebounder. Entering

this season healthy will allow him to play a bigger role this season as Tech’s starting center. Expect Odiase’s scoring to pick back up as he will get more touches offensively, even if he is limited to scoring in the paint.

Matt Mooney graduate student guard

Mooney is a graduate transfer from South Dakota, and how his game translates from facing FCS talent to facing Power Five opponents will be a test for him. Mooney averaged 18.7 PPG, 4.1 RPG and 2.1 SPG while at South

Dakota, and his 3.1 APG makes him the best candidate to replace Keenan Evans’ 3.8 APG from a year ago. Mooney will likely split time with sophomore Davide Moretti at point guard, with Mooney the presumed starter.

Tariq Owens graduate student forward

Owens is another graduate transfer, having played his last two seasons at St. John’s, which has seen its share of struggles over the last three years. Owens also spent a year at Tennessee, so he has plenty of experience facing top tier collegiate tal-

ent. Owens will likely start at power forward for the Red Raiders and will be a big factor in Tech’s scoring in the paint. How well he acclimates to head coach Chris Beard’s strong defense will determine his ceiling as a Red Raider.

Khavon Moore freshman forward

Moore is the only freshman on this list because like Zhaire Smith and Jarrett Culver the year before, it is hard to expect which player will have a breakout season.

Moore has about as good a chance as any and will fight for minutes at forward once

he fully returns from an injury suffered in his senior year of high school. If Moore can get into a rhythm and play strong defense when he returns, he can have a strong year like Smith or Culver the year before and provide a spark off the bench for Tech.

The lone senior on the squad, forward Zuri Sanders, is anticipated to lead the Lady Raiders in her fourth and final season on the court for Tech. Sanders’ leadership style both on and off the court can be described as dynamic, intense and committed. The native of Evansville, Indiana, uses the same three traits when bringing the ball down the court for the Lady Raiders.

Sanders’ fast paced in-game

approach led to a seasonbest 12 points scored in just 18 minutes of play in last year’s contest with Prairie View A&M. Additionally, Sanders does not think twice about driving to the basket in efforts to regain possession for her team. In her junior year, Tech’s offensive catalyst displayed her boldness by totaling a seasonhigh 13 rebounds against the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

Brittany Brewer junior forward

Returning junior forward Brittany Brewer is predicted to help lead her team once again this season. Brewer played in all 30 games last year as a sophomore, racking up double figure points

in 12 games. The native of Wylie uses her 6-foot-5-inch height to rack up rebounds, averaging 5.0 per game last year with a season best total of 13 in one match against Kansas State.

Mia Castaneda junior guard

Another impressive incoming Lady Raider is junior guard Mia Castaneda.

Prior to representing the scarlet and black, Castaneda was considered one of the most prolific scorers in school history at Clarendon

Junior College as a result of starting in all 60 games and finishing with 1,051 career points. Castaneda, a JUCO product and native of Lubbock, is expected to give the Lady Raiders an offensive spark.

Sydney Goodson sophomore guard

Sophomore guard Sydney Goodson, a transfer form Arizona State, is also poised to play an important role in Tech’s 2018 slate.

During her time at Arizona State, Goodson played in 27 of 33 games and recorded a .385 shooting average at

.350 from beyond the arc.

In high school, Goodson led the Liberty Christian Eagles on back to back trips to the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools State Championships during her junior and senior seasons.

Angel Hayden sophomore guard

A returning Lady Raider to watch out for this year is the sophomore guard Angel Hayden. In her debut season, Hayden started in 10 games for Tech and recorded 22 steals, including a career high three steals at Kansas State, according to Tech

Athletics. Notable moments of Hayden’s relatively brief career include racking up seven rebounds against Iowa State and snatching a pair of steals just 22 minutes into Tech’s battle against the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

Zuri Sanders senior forward

FILE PHOTO/The Daily Toreador

FILE PHOTO/The Daily Toreador

Texas Tech basketball players high five members of the crowd after their win against TCU Saturday, March 3, 2018, in the United Supermarkets Arena. The Red Raiders start their 2018-2019 campaign at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018 in the USA.

The Texas Tech women’s basketball team and fans stand in line while as they hold their Guns Up Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in the United Supermarkets Arena. The Lady Raiders start their 2018-2019 season at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9, 2018, in the USA.

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50TH STREET CABOOSE

TAS MONTESSORI SCHOOL IS SEEKING PT TEACHERS FROM 9:00 ‑ 1:00PM AND 3:00‑6:00 PM.

$345. BILLS paid free wifi/Cable/HBO. Pri‑ vate furnished bedroom for female. Quiet female rooming house. One block to Tech.

2321 13th washer,dryer, private parking. No pets $300 deposit 806‑765‑7182.

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DEPENDABLE PERSON with good tele­ phone skills for telemarketing. Calls made from our office Monday‑Thursday, 6‑8 PM. $10/hr plus bonus. Email resume with cur‑ rent contact info to reggie.ghatch­ett1@farm‑ ersagency.com HELP WANTED‑ PT OFFICE ASSISTANT M‑F 2:00 ‑ 6:30 APPLY BY SENDING RESUME TO em­ ployment@scoggindickey.com OR IN PER‑ SON @ 5901 Spur 327, Lubbock, TX 79424

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All interested candidates please submit you resume with 2 professional refer­ences to tasmontessori@yahoo.com

UNFURNISHED $1600 MONTHLY. 4 bedroom. 2 bath. 2201 16th. Large luxurious Spanish colo­nial. 3 blocks to Tech and Lubbock High. National historic district. Lawn kept. Wa­ ter, sewer and garbage paid. Pristine con­dition. Alarm.

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806‑765‑7182.

1‑PERSON STUDIO

near J & B Coffee, $385/all bills pd. 1st month $200/$300 dep. Text 806‑787‑4591.

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Call Ann 806‑795‑2011.

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