The 2007-2008 season was a historic and roller coaster one for the Texas Tech Red Raiders. They advanced to the finals of the Great Alaska Shootout, beating Gonzaga to reach the finals. The Red Raiders only managed to win one game on the road, and two neutral.
Former head coach Bob Knight won his 900th game in a 68-53 victory over Texas A&M. Just over two weeks later Knight resigned after winning his 902nd game and his son Pat took over the program. Pat Knight got his first win on Feb. 13, beating Kansas State 84-75. The Red Raiders beat No. 7 Texas 83-80 in their first win against Texas since 2005.
However, the Red Raiders would suffer the two most lopsided losses in school history under Pat Knight, losing 98-54 against A&M and 109-51 against Kansas who would go on and win the NCAA Tournament.
Tech went 4-7 under Pat Knight, leading to a 16-15 record. The Red Raiders failed to qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the third time under Bob Knight.
Now, Pat Knight enters his first full season as the Red Raiders’ head coach and will have a very young team in the 2008-2009 season. With Martin Zeno and Charlie Burgess graduating, senior guard Alan Voskuil, senior forward Damir Suljagic, and junior forward Trevor Cook are the only upper classmen who had considerable minutes last season.
Senior forward Michael Prince’s playing time has decreased the last two seasons as well as his production. Prince played an average of 17.6 minutes in his freshman season and only played an average of 8.6 minutes in his senior season.
Prince’s average assists went from 1.6 his freshman season to 0.4 last season. His average points per game decreased from 2.7 in his freshman season to 1.6 last season. Unfortunately, Prince has garnered more attention for Bob Knight slapping his chin in 2006 rather than for his playing ability.
Senior Roderick Craig only saw playing time when Tech was winning by a lot or losing by a lot. Last season Craig averaged 5.1 minutes, 1.1 points, 0.9 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 0.4 turnovers, 0.2 steals, and one foul. In addition, Craig shot 27 percent from the field, 42 percent from the free-throw line, and 12.5 percent from three-point territory.
The Red Raiders have six newcomers with three of them being transfers. Junior forward Darko Cohadarevic transferred from Seward County Community College in Liberal, Kansas. According to the Texas Tech athletic Web site, last season he averaged 15.4 points and eight rebounds, leading Seward to a 32-6 record and a third place finish in the NJCAA Tournament last season.
Sophomore guard Wally Dunn transferred from Midland College and averaged 4.3 points per game in 32 games. Midland College was 28-4 last season.
Junior guard Nick Okorie transferred from South Plains Junior College. According to the Texas Tech Athletic Web site, Okorie averaged 17.2 points per game and 3.4 rebounds per game, leading the South Plains Texans to the NJCAA title last season.
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