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THURSDAY, NOV. 4, 2021 VOLUME 96 ■ ISSUE 12

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BACK TO BUSINESS BASKETBALL SEASON PREVIEW

Photo illustration by: Katie Perkins

USA to return to full capacity

By HANNAH VENEGAS Staff Writer As the start of Tech’s basketball season approaches, players, coaches and fans are excited to enjoy the season at total capacity, post-COVID-19 restrictions.

Last year, the United Supermarkets Arena had implemented COVID-19 protocols that only allowed 25 percent of the stadium to be filled. Krista Gerlich, head coach of women’s basketball, said she is ready for the upcoming season.

“I’m super excited about (full capac-

New Faces — PG 2 Raider Riot — PG 3 Crossword — PG 2

ity) because (it’s) my first year back at my alma mater, to be at 25 percent, you’re like, dang, but we lead the Big 12 in attendance,” Gerlich said. “I think that shows that our crowd will come out, you know, and so I’m super excited about seeing a lot more people in the stands.”

Gerlich said the sixth man is an important role the Lady Raider nation relies on for support. The fans’ cheers and rallies create the illusion of a sixth player on the court, which gives the Lady Raiders an advantage while at home.

“I also would like for our Lady Raider Na-

tion to know that the sixth man is huge for us, we’ve got to have home-court advantage, and that’s going to be extremely big in Big 12 play,” Gerlich said. “I hope that they will come out and know that they’re a huge part of what we’re trying to do.”

Vivian Gray, a senior guard from Argyle, transferred from Oklahoma State to Tech at the start of the 2020-2021 season.

Gray’s first season at Tech was at the height of the pandemic, and she said she was unable to experience the atmosphere of Lady Raider nation.

SEE ARENA, PG. 2

WHAT’S INSIDE

Mens Previews — PG 6

Classifieds — PG 7

Sudoku — PG 5

Womens Previews — PG 7

2

BASKETBALL PREVIEW

NOV. 4, 2021

ARENA

CONTINUED FROM PG. 2 “I’m excited, even when I was at my old school and coming to play at Tech, I remember how nice the crowd was and how energetic they were,” Gray said. “I’m excited to be able to

see that firsthand.”

Gray will be playing against her old team on Jan. 8 and said she is excited about the arena atmosphere.

“I am most excited to play against Oklahoma State this year because that’s my alma mater,” Gray said. “Playing

against them with this new team, I think it’d be really fun.

I think the atmosphere is going to be great.”

Ella Tofaeono, a junior center from Sydney, Australia, transferred from Texas A&M for the 2021-2022 season.

“I’m excited. We walked

into the United Supermarkets Arena for our scrimmage against the guys on Saturday,” Tofaeono said. “It’s just the small things like sitting next to your teammate and having that camaraderie on the bench.”

Bryn Gerlich, a junior for-

WWW.DAILYTOREADOR.COM ward from Colleyville, transferred from OSU in the fall of 2020, so her Tech crowd experience was not at its full potential, she said.

“I’m so excited things are at least mostly back to normal. It’s more team-like now with our training; we get to

do team bonding stuff like we’re just getting to be more of a family this year,” Bryn Gerlich said. “It feels like that (this season) is going to be the best whenever games start because our fans can come and support.” @hannahvenegasDT

ATHLETES & COACHES

Men’s program to see new faces this season

By MICHAEL ALVAREZ Sports Reporter

The Texas Tech men’s basketball team went through multiple changes over the offseason as the program introduced an entire new coaching staff and welcomed six players from the transfer portal.

Among those six transfers is super-senior Adonis Arms, a 6-foot-5 guard from Winthrop. After graduating from Winthrop University last spring, Arms is spending his last season of eligibility as a

Red Raider.

In his final year as an Eagle, Arms averaged 10.4 points per game and 4.5 rebounds per game on the way to an appearance in the NCAA tournament, according to Tech Athletics. Now at Tech, Arms said the biggest difference between Tech and Winthrop was the coaching culture.

“The difference between Winthrop and Texas Tech is like the overwhelming love that the coaches give you day in and day out,” Arms said.

“I mean, like, they force you

every day and push you every day to like another level.”

Arms said he did not disapprove of the program at Winthrop, but said there is an emphasis on greatness at Tech.

“Not saying it was bad at Winthrop, they didn’t push you, but sometimes I would feel like there was just out of, like, an obligation not, like, out of a love, you know, so that’s what I felt like Tech was just more of, like, they love more and they just want you to be great, and I mean they’re not gonna let you not be great here and so I think that’s the biggest difference so far,” Arms said.

Arms said he chose Tech for the opportunities the program provides him to advance his career and the exposure playing in a Power Five conference like the Big 12.

“The opportunity to go to the NBA to take care of my mom and little sister. I think that my main goal is to take care of those two,” Arms said.

“The Big 12 has some of the best programs in the country.

So, that exposure and the

potential to do what I always need to do and that is play basketball at the highest levels.”

I came here because coach Adams has a lot of faith in me to come here and contribute.

BARRET PEERY ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH With Tech hiring an entire new coaching staff after the departure of Chris Beard, Arms said new head coach Mark Adams and the rest of the coaching staff spend every day helping Arms and his teammates generate a new culture here at Tech.

“You know, just good days, bad days it’s like, ‘Adonis you good, like, don’t worry about it, like, we’re here for you’ for like a real family type environment, atmosphere,” Arms said. “So, I think that’s the biggest thing for me to coach and staff, trainers and everybody

is just more of a — they really care about you.”

Barret Peery is entering his first season as associate head coach here at Tech.

Prior to his arrival in Lubbock, Peery spent his last four seasons as head coach at Portland State, where he had a record of 63-57 and led Vikings to two winning seasons, according to Tech Athletics.

“You know, I hope my experience can help this team obviously. I came here because coach Adams has a lot of faith in me to come here and contribute,” Peery said.

“We have a fantastic staff and a good group of players who were able to accumulate a lot of good players and we think we have a good mix and a good blend to where our talent level can be competitive with anybody.”

Peery and head coach Adams recruited six transfers that were all over the country a year ago. The biggest thing was finding players that were going to be a great fit on and off the basketball court, Peery said.

“You know, their talents were going to fit with what we wanted to do, but also we probably spent a big amount of time with these guys away from this basketball court just trying to know each other, to where we can coach and be together and be successful together,” Peery said. “I think it’s really hard to coach people if you don’t have a great relationship and we’ve worked hard to do that.”

The Red Raiders have six players returning from last year that have been at Tech for some time now and know what it takes to be a Red Raider.

“Well, I think our returning group has been very important to help the new guys understand just how day-to day-life works here at Texas Tech,” Peery said. “You know, those five guys that were returners, and then of course you know new guys like Bryson, Kevin Obanor, Davion, Adonis and Sardaar, these new kids, you know, will all have to contribute as well, but these returners have done a great job of helping everybody mix in, in the right way.”

Davion Warren, 6-foot6 super-senior guard from Buffalo, New York, spent his last two seasons at Hampton University where he averaged 21.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game in his senior season, according to Tech Athletics. In his final season at Hampton, Warren was named Big South Player of the Year.

“There’s nothing like it.

This is probably the most intense out of all of the schools I’ve been to,” Warren said. “New building. Well, not just the Womble, but like, new building, new team, coaching staff. I have faith in me, and I have faith in Coach Adams.”

This will be the first year since COVID-19 that most stadiums and arenas will be at full capacity, and Warren said he is preparing for the United Supermarkets Arena to be roaring and packed full of fans.

“It feels fun, it kind of reminds me of high school,” Warren said. “High school was the same way, playing in packed out gyms. I’m excited for it.” @MikeAlvarezDT

BASKETBALL PREVIEW

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NOV. 4, 2021

3

SPIRIT

Raider Riot ready ‘to be a riot’ this season

By ASHLEY TO Staff Writer

With a new coach, new team, new staff and more, students have a lot to be excited for this upcoming basketball season.

Raider Riot, the official student section for men’s basketball, is ready to resume its title as one of the loudest and rowdiest student sections in the nation, according to the Raider Riot website.

“We want to be a riot. It’s in our name,” Raider Riot’s vice-president Casey Orsak, a fourth-year mechanical engineering student from Houston, said. “That’s what we’re all about, is just creating a loud atmosphere for the games.”

Raider Riot works closely with the athletics department, Orsak said, to create a big atmosphere.

They work together to plan things like tailgates, watch parties and more.

Raider Riot is also responsible for much of the work behind the scenes, said Raider Riot’s marketing executive Kendall Green, a fourth-year communications student from Boerne.

They do things like creating themes for the student section during games, promoting the overall basketball games and keeping the energy high during the games.

“We hit a new record high

for the season ticket holders,” Green said. “That just speaks for itself that everyone is excited for this season.”

This is by far, like, the most hyped I’ve ever seen people be for basketball in my entire life. You know, new coach, a lot of new players to learn all about.

CASEY ORSAK VICE PRESIDENT OF RAIDER RIOT

Many students and players have yet to see the full potential behind Raider Riot as many of them only attended games at 25 percent capacity due to COVID-19.

Some of the new men’s basketball players transferred from smaller schools, Orsak said. He said he is curious to see how they will react to Raider Riot at its full capacity.

“This is by far, like, the most hyped I’ve ever seen people be for basketball in my entire life. You know, new coach, a lot of new players to learn all about,” Orsak said. “We’re trying to, you know, multiply everything by 1,000 in terms

of what we did.”

Even if you don’t like basketball, Orsak said, students should still make attending at least one basketball game a part of their pre-graduation bucket list.

Having only attended one or two games before the pandemic arose, Jordan Gafney, a fourth-year creative media industries student from McKinney, said he plans to make the most of what the upcoming season holds.

“So, I think I only went to like, two or three games pre-COVID,” Gafney said.

“I’m excited now, though, that like — I think people, in general, are more hyped about the new season. Especially because of the depressing past COVID season and like, all the new things happening in the team.”

One of the biggest games for Raider Riot to happen at Tech pre-pandemic, Green said, was the Tech versus Kentucky home game.

Green said she attended both the Final Four game in 2019 and the Kentucky game in Lubbock and said the energy of the two games were the same.

Green could feel how the energy of the student section fueled the team during the Kentucky game, she said.

With the student section in the Kentucky game also

File photo/The Daily Toreador

The Raider Riot student section sings the Matador Song during a Texas Tech Mens basketball game. Raider Riot is offering a Royalty for Loyalty program where students, if they attend a specific amount of games, can register early for conference games ahead of the rest of the student body this year. being one of the best experiences of his life, Orsak said he plans to build on that energy by implementing it into this upcoming season for Raider Riot.

“It’s an experience that I want to build on because, like, I want people to walk out and think, like, ‘Man, like, that was electrical,’” Orsak said.

Raider Riot is offering a ‘Royalty for Loyalty’ program as well to promote more attendance for more basketball games, both women’s and men’s.

By attending a certain

number of specific games, Green said students can be eligible to register much sooner than most of the student body for Big 12 conference games. “ I t ’s l i k e f o r t h e U T (Texas) game, it’s going to be gold,” Green said. “So hopefully it’ll get people to go to those small or nonconference games.”

No matter where a student is in the stadium, Orsak said they will have the time of their life. Even in his freshman year, he said he still had unforget-

table experiences in the nosebleed section.

For all students and the incoming freshman especially, Green said to make sure to register and go to the games, because the games speak for themselves.

“I’m looking forward to the season and what, like, the school has planned for the students and everyone for sure,” Gafney said. “I think it’ll be a good time and good for people to have something fun and something to support as a school.” @DailyToreador

Basketball tips: What you need to know about tickets, concessions and parking for games this season Tickets:

Parking:

•

•

• •

Students can reserve tickets through the same website used to reserve student tickets for football games, texastech.com/studenttickets. Students then need to bring their RaiderID to the game and swipe to be admitted into the arena.

Student doors, located on the southeast side of the arena near Chitwood/Weymouth, open one hour before tipoff.

The student sections are section 111-122 for men’s basketball games and 116-122 for women’s basketball games.

Source: Texas Tech Athletics

• •

For men’s basketball games, free parking is at the S1 Parking Lot by the John Walker Soccer Complex. Parking passes are available to purchase for west commuter parking lots and the law school parking lot.

A free shuttle service will be offered 90 minutes before tipoff and one hour at the end of the game.

For women’s basketball games, free parking will be available at the west end of the west commuter parking lot by the Systems Building. Parking passes are available to purchase for west commuter parking lots and the law school parking lot.

Source: Texas Tech Athletics & Red Raider Club

OPINIONS

Page 4 Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021

COLUMN

@DailyToreador www.dailytoreador.com

Lady Raiders overshadowed by men’s basketball

I

t is hard to believe, but the month of October is over. November is here and is gifting us with Thanksgiving and breezy autumn weather.

November will also be gifting many sports fans, as November is the start of the basketball season. Not surprisingly, basketball is a very popular sport around the world and especially in the United States.

Like many sports basketball is for all ages from younger kids to young adults.

Basketball is also fairly easy to understand and play. All you need is a group of people, a ball, and an outdoor basketball court.

However, there has been an issue when it comes to mens and womens basketball, especially in a college atmosphere. It seems there is more of a focus toward men’s college basketball, rather than equally women’s

Henry Marginot is first-year English major from Marfa.

and men’s.

Most of the time, basketball is very male centered and a masculine undertone to it all. This is displayed in how men’s college basketball is advertised and talked about.

All of this macho energy can lead to the overshadowing of women’s college basketball. Although it can lead to this, the league seems to be overshadowed by the public in general.

This situation of the women’s college basketball league being underrepresented and looked upon is unfortunate because the league has a plethora of talent. And accomplishments.

It also was reported that

when it came to large events that involved college basketball, the men’s side was far more advertised than the women’s side.

It also came to light that women athletes for college basketball received far less impressive equipment and amenities when it came to big basketball events like the NCAA Championships, according to NPR. Specifically, Texas Tech University’s women’s college basketball team, the Lady Raiders are a prime example of the issue regarding women’s basketball being overshadowed by the men’s.

A player of note for the Lady Raiders is decorated athlete Sheryl Swoopes. Swoopes has set countless records for Tech college basketball and in the world of professional basketball as well.

She was one of the first players to sign with the Women’s National Basketball

Association and has been inducted in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

There are also not just under-appreciated women basketball players who play on the court, but there are also important figures on the sidelines.

One important woman who made impressive strides as a coach and came across Tech was Marsha Sharp. Marsha Sharp is widely regarded as one of the most prominent figures in women’s basketball.

In 1982, after coaching for the Lockney Lady Longhorns, Sharp made her way to Tech.

At Tech Sharp became an assistant, but transitioned to head coach until her retirement in 2006. Sharp guided the Lady Raider to win countless awards, including 18 National Collegiate Athletic Association appearances.

Even more of an accom-

plishment, Sharp was named to the National Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003.

The Lady Raiders are a prime example of the issue regarding women’s basketball being overshadowed by the men’s.

Men’s college basketball, of course has many great players and adds much skill and determination to the sport of basketball.

Especially at Tech, like previous player Jarrett Culver, who has racked up many impressive statistics. Players that not only displayed high skill, but showed a passion for basketball in general.

However, organizations like the NCAA and colleges

must advertise and display both leagues equally. These entities also have to treat these players fairly and give them the tools and amenities they need to play their best.

At the end of the day, that is what these players are doing. They are putting in their all to give the audience a great show, a show that displays what makes basketball such a watched and popular sport.

Women’s college basketball has often been overshadowed and put to the side by the publicity of the men’s.

There are many great players and coaches who work hard to give the audience a great game. Hopefully there will soon be a time where a person’s hope of fulfilling a dream of theirs is weighted by their athletic talent and ability rather than their gender. @HMarginotDT

COLUMN

Politicized chants at sporting events reflect negatively on Tech The student section at Texas Tech home games is notorious for being wild. Sitting there, especially close to the field, is usually a positive, fun experience. But lately, a small, but loud portion of the student section has started… chanting. These politicized chants need to stop.

Let games be a place where the only enemy is UT. Let us come together, despite our differences, to bond in our shared disappointment for our defense and annoyance for having to wait in line for an entire quarter for a bottle of water. Let us talk about how we can’t wait for basketball season and how

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Caroline Ragland is firstyear education major from Canyon.

we miss Patrick Mahomes.

It’s time to stop alienating our fellow Red Raider.

This chant is not funny, no matter who the president is or what their policies have been. The chant also becomes disrespectful when students start yelling it when a player is down or after the national anthem. Everyone has a right to their own opinion, but that doesn’t mean we have to hear it. It’s annoying to the student section, it doesn’t reflect well on the university, and it’s causing problems in other sections for families.

Many people at games

don’t care about someone’s opinion on domestic or foreign policy. Most fans want to watch the game and pretend to know what’s going on. I, along with many people in the student section, love going to games, enjoying the traditions, the chants and the endless standing. It’s an amazing experience unique to Tech. Few other colleges have such unique programs as Tech.

Sporting events was one of the things that sold many of us on Tech. But a very vocal minority has overstepped the line of exercising their right to free speech, and their words ruin the experience. By chanting politicized statements at games, many can feel alienated from the university. While some think this is funny, it is really time to stop.

Another reason to stop the polarized chants is it doesn’t reflect well on Tech.

The more politicized the game becomes, the more people will be unwilling to attend.

Tech fans are already known to be especially rowdy.

Between throwing tortillas at kickoff, the many times Tech fans have torn down another team’s goalpost, or the rioting after the men’s basketball team made it into the Final Four a few years ago, these chants only worsen our reputation as the backwater redheaded stepchild of Texas Division One college.

In truth, Tech has excellent programs, a beautiful campus and amazing student life. Insensitive chants ruin the little credit Tech is given.

While it is annoying the student section and reflects poorly on the university, the

chant also alienates fans of Tech sports in general. Ticket holders do not pay to hear some college student’s opinion. They pay to watch the game. Students do not come to the game to be bombarded with politics, they come to have fun.

But a very vocal minority has overstepped the line of exercising their right to free speech, and their words ruin the experience.

It isn’t fair for the student section to have to hear it, but it’s rude and disrespectful to the rest of the crowd. The chant has become so loud, it’s bleeding out into the other areas of

the stadium. It’s offensive to the parents and children who come to enjoy the game. These chants are turning future Red Raiders away.

It’s dividing people into a place where we’re supposed to be united. In a country where everything is polarized, let a college game be a place to come together and enjoy a break from the chaos.

Nothing is stopping the chant from happening. There is no penalty or punishment against freedom of speech, but that doesn’t mean this chant should continue. It doesn’t matter what political party you align with, or who you voted for in 2016, 2020 or even who you plan to vote for in 2024, let sporting events be the one place where we can find a common ground. Stop politicized chants. Nobody is listening. @CarolineEliseDT

Michelle Marshalek is a firstyear finance major from Austin.

CARTOON

EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-Chief Mateo Rosiles (806) 742-3395 editor@dailytoreador.com News Editor Mateo Rosiles news@dailytoreador.com La Vida Editor Téa Mcgilvray features@dailytoreador.com Sports Editor Arianna Flores sports@dailytoreador.com Opinions Editor Chyna Vargas opinions@dailytoreador.com Multimedia Editor Katie Perkins photo@dailytoreador.com Digital Content Manager online@dailytoreador.com Copy Editor Toluwani Osibamowo copy@dailytoreador.com Editorial Assistant Bishop Van Buren bvanburen@dailytoreador.com

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@M_MarshalekDT

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lauren Ridloff on playing the MCU’s first deaf superhero NEW YORK (AP) — Three years ago, Lauren Ridloff gave an interview that concluded with the actor contemplating what she wanted to do next.

At that point, Ridloff only had one major role under her belt, albeit an acclaimed one. Ridloff was then starring in a Broadway revival of “Children of a Lesser God,” a performance that earned her

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a Tony nomination and turned the then 40-year-old former kindergarten teacher into a breakout star.

Ridloff hadn’t set out to necessarily be an actor. She initially was just helping “Children of a Lesser God” director Kenny Leon as a sign language tutor. Still, at that moment, Ridloff set her sights high. Talking to The New York Times in May 2018, she said she’d like to

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play a superhero.

To Ridloff ’s surprise, the wish came true. In Chloé Zhao’s “Eternals,” Ridloff plays the first deaf superhero in Marvel’s “cinematic universe.” In the film, which Disney releases in theaters Friday, Ridloff plays one of 10 immortal guardians alongside Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Angelina Jolie and Kumail Nanjiani.

“It was a manifestation,” Ridloff says, laughing. “At that time, I still wasn’t sure if I wanted to continue in acting. I was honestly terrified. I had given up a career as a teacher and I went to try acting, but then my Broadway show was ending.

What’s next? Do I even bet on auditioning? I didn’t think Hollywood was ready for a deaf actor at the time,

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let alone a deaf superhero.”

“Eternals,” in which the age-old superheroes have long secretly lived among humans but are now roused to prevent a cosmic apocalypse, seeks to expand many of the traditional notions. For the first time in 26 blockbuster films, a person with hearing impairment is alongside other mighty saviors fighting to rescue the world.

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.

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BASKETBALL PREVIEW

NOV. 4, 2021

5

PROFILE

Gerlich duo returns for upcoming season

By TANA THOMPSON Staff Writer

From when she was little until she became recruitable, junior Bryn Gerlich has been coached by her mother. Now, the 6-foot forward is playing for her mother at Texas Tech.

This is Bryn Gerlich’s second season under women’s head basketball coach Krista Gerlich, and Bryn said their relationship has grown since she transferred.

“Coming in I had to get used to her being my coach again, because she’s very hard on me, but I know that’s the reason I’ve been able to accomplish everything I have and that’s the reason I’m here and that’s why I’m so excited for this year,” Bryn Gerlich said.

“I think on the court it allows me to know that even when she is yelling at me or coaching me that it’s all out of love and it’s not in spite in any way. It’s all to make me better.”

Bryn Gerlich transferred from Oklahoma State after playing her first two collegiate seasons as a Cowgirl, according to Tech Athletics.

Then, before the start of the 2020-2021 basketball season, Coach Gerlich was offered the head coach position at Tech, where Bryn Gerlich decided to follow her mother.

“My mom got the call and she immediately called me and we just knew that’s what I wanted to do,” Bryn Gerlich said. “I wanted to come here because playing against her was not an option, and that decision was actually very easy.”

Coach Gerlich said although she may have high expectations for her daughter, she has loved being able to coach her again.

“I love watching her confidence grow and as with all of them (players), it’s certainly hard because there’s higher expectations there and I probably expect her to know things that maybe others don’t,” Coach Gerlich

said. “It’s been awesome and I’m loving that we’re getting to share this time in our lives together.”

I am anticipating that we’re going to surprise a lot of people.

BRYN GERLICH JUNIOR FORWARD Although Coach Gerlich coached Bryn Gerlich while she was growing up, Coach Gerlich said her favorite memory of her daughter’s career was last season’s game against Kansas State.

“You know, I coached her as a little girl too, and so I’ve got lots of memories from that, but probably the most recent from this past year is just whenever she made a steal at the end of the K-State game and tied it up for us,” Coach Gerlich

said. “It was a really proud moment as a mom as well as a proud coach moment.”

During the Big 12 Tournament when the Lady Raiders faced the Wildcats, Bryn Gerlich recorded a career-high of 13 points, eight assists and six rebounds, according to Tech Athletics.

Bryn Gerlich started in 11 games for the Lady Raiders and appeared in all 25 regular season games last season, according to Tech Athletics.

Bryn Gerlich said she is excited to see what her team will do this season while playing for her mother.

“I am anticipating that we’re going to surprise a lot of people,’’ Bryn Gerlich said. “I think we’ve been v e r y, a l m o s t f o r g o t t e n about and underestimated and I think that’s put a chip on our shoulder.”

This season is Coach Gerlich’s second season coaching at Tech. She also played at Tech as a point guard during the 1993 national championship win

Erin DiGiacamo/The Daily Toreador

Womens basketball head coach Krista Gerlich coaches from the sidelines at the first practice of the season on Sept. 30, 2021, at United Supermarkets Arena. Their first game is slated for Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. versus Southeastern Louisiana. and coached under Marsha Sharp for three years after graduating from Tech.

“I never dreamt that my jersey would be retired and that’s crazy to me,” Coach

Gerlich said. “You know, and I wouldn’t have been able to do that without my teammates and my coaches that pushed me there.” @TanaThompsonDT

NUTRITION

Tech basketball focuses on nutrition, injury prevention

By JUSTIN APODACA Sports Reporter

The Texas Tech basketball programs have made injury prevention a focal point in the offseason, especially after losing freshman point guard and Lubbock native Ethan Duncan to a shoulder injury, according to Tech Athletics.

Tech associate athletic trainer Mike Neal said injury prevention comes with fueling the body correctly and keeping a balanced nutritional intake.

“One thing that I definitely try to push these guys to understand is how important nutrition is,” Neal said. “Second of all being hydrated, and then getting proper sleep. Getting

the right amount of sleep is something that, nothing I can do, or condition can do, makes up for that.”

N e a l s a i d h e u n d e rstands that the players are still college students, but he wants the team to control what they can.

“These guys are up playing video games, doing cool things that college students do, been there and done that, so I get that part. So, I say ‘Hey, let’s get eight hours of sleep, well-balanced meal, stay hydrated, things they can control,” Neal said. “Because you’re busting your butt every day, you’re grinding every day, you’re pulling everything out of your body, nutrition and sleep always put everything back.”

The Red Raiders have attempted to build strength in a way to prevent injuries. Darby Rich, the men’s basketball team strength and conditioning coach, said it is harder to create a program to build strength for a team than it is for an individual person.

“It varies from playerto-player and it’s harder with team sports,” Rich said. “It’s easy if you have an individual client. I’m your personal trainer so I’m with you all the time

and we’re planning every meal. With basketball it’s different because these guys get in the gym and shoot whenever they want to, you know, the football team only practices when the football team practices ... but for the most part their day is planned out.

Rich said it is mostly about educating the players as he tries to get the correct amount of nutrition for the player based on the day.

“I can plan out our guys’ days, and Bryson Williams

may get in here three other times to work on his own,” Rich said. “So, it’s more education for them, instead of, ‘You need to get in 3,800 calories a day,’ it becomes more of, ‘We’re off tomorrow so we’re not going to work as hard, so let’s get 3,000 tomorrow and may need 4,500 the next day because he’s putting in that kind of extra work,’” Rich said.

Lady Raider head coach Krista Gerlich said Connor Agnew, the Lady Raider strength and conditioning

coach, is responsible for keeping the women’s team as healthy as possible.

“Yeah, so Connor does a great job in our weight room as a strength and conditioning [coach],” Gerlich said. “They do a lot of preventative lifts and different techniques in the weight room to be able to get their muscles strong and make sure that we are addressing any weaknesses that they have.” @JustinApodacaDT

6

BASKETBALL PREVIEW

NOV. 4, 2021

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NON-CONFERENCE

Season to start with non-conference slate

By MICHAEL ALVAREZ Sports Reporter

The Texas Tech Red Raiders men’s basketball team will begin its season with 12 non-conference games, including games in the South Padre Island Battle on The Beach, Big 12-Big East Battle, the Jimmy V Classic, the Jerry Colangelo Classic and the Big 12/SEC Challenge that will be played later in the season.

The Red Raiders will be going into their season with a whole new coaching staff along with eight new additions to the team, with six of those being transfers,

according to Tech Athletics. The Red Raiders will start their season off against North Florida at United Supermarkets Arena at 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 9.

The Ospreys finished last season with an 8-15 overall record and a 6-6 record in conference play, according to North Florida Athletics.

Junior forward Carter Hendrickson played and started in 16 games last season where he was the team’s leading scorer, averaging 14.9 points per game shooting 38 percent from the field.

Tech will continue its nonconference battles at 7 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 12, where they

KATIE PERKINS/The Daily Toreador

Freshman Ethan Duncan shoots the ball at the first official practice of the 2022 season on Sept. 28, 2021 at the Dustin R. Womble Basketball Center.

will face off against Grambling State University.

The Tigers will travel to Lubbock for their second home game of the season, according to Grambling State Athletics. Redshirt senior Cameron Christon was selected to the 2021-2022 All-SWAC preseason First Team and was the only player to average double figure points for the team last season. The Tigers finished last season with a 12-12 overall record and a 9-6 conference record.

The Red Raiders will finish their 3-game home stretch against Prairie View A&M at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15. The Panthers won the SWAC regular season title last year with a 13-0 conference record and a 16-5 overall record, according to Prairie View A&M Sports.

The Panthers led the SWAC in field goal percentage last season, shooting 45.5 percent from the field, according to SWAC Sports. Senior Jawaun Daniels led the team in points per game (15.4), field goal percentage (55.8 percent) and rebounds per game (6.1), according to Prairie View A&M Sports.

The Raider Raiders will travel to SPI Convention Centre in South Padre Island, where they will play Incarnate Word University in the South Padre Island Battle on The Beach event at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20. Tech is 3-0 against the Cardinals in the last three meetings,

including their most previous win on Dec. 29, 2020, where they had a 79-51 victory over the Cardinals, according to Tech Athletics.

The Cardinals were fifth in the Southland Conference in defense last season. Sophomore forward Marcus Larsson led the team in both rebounds and blocked shots with 107 total rebounds (7.1 average) and 13 total blocked shots (0.9 average) last season, according to Incarnate Word Athletics.

Tech returns to Lubbock after a one-game road trip to take on The University of Omaha at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23.

Omaha was second to last in The Summit League last season with a 5-20 overall record and a 3-11 record in conference. Senior guard Ayo Akinwole led the team in points per game (13.0), threepoint field goal percentage (45 percent), free throw percentage (87 percent) and assist per game (2.9), according to Omaha Athletics.

The Lamar University Cardinals head into town to play the Red Raiders on Nov. 27 at United Supermarkets Arena.

Junior guard Davion Buster led the Cardinals in all forms of scoring last season; points per game (15.0), three-pointers made (70) and free throw percentage (95 percent), according to Lamar University Athletics.

The Red Raiders will go on the road for the second time this season as they travel to

Providence, Rhode Island to play in the Big 12-Big East Battle against Providence College Friars at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 1. Tech has only played the Friars once in school history on Dec. 29, 1977, losing 52-53, according to Tech Athletics.

The Friars finished sixth place in the Big East Conference last season with a 13-13 overall record and a 9-10 conference record, according to Big East Sports. Graduate student center Nate Watson led the team in points per game last season with 16.9 on 60 percent shooting from the field. The Friars shot 43 percent from the field and 32 percent from three as a team last season, according to Providence College Athletics.

Tech will continue its time on the road as they travel to New York to play in the Jimmy V Classic against the University of Tennessee in Madison Square Garden at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7.

Last season the Volunteers finished fourth in the SEC conference standings with a 10-7 record and a 18-9 overall record. This gave the Volunteers a fifth seed in the NCAA Tournament, but they lost in the first round to the 12th seed Oregon State, according to SEC Sports.

Tennessee is ranked No. 18 in the pre-season AP polls this season and will be the first ranked team Tech plays

KATIE PERKINS/The Daily Toreador

Senior forward Marcus SantosSilva overhead passes the ball on Sept. 28, 2021 at the Dustin R. Womble Basketball Center.

Womble Basketball Center. this year. The team had the fourth best recruiting class in the nation and the best recruiting class in the SEC, according to 247 Sports.

Those recruits include 5-star point guard Kennedy Chandler and 5-star power forward Brandon HuntleyHatfield. Returning to the team will be senior guard Victor Bailey Jr. who was the team’s third leading scorer last season with 10.9 points per game, along with graduated student forward John Fulkerson, who led the team in field goal percentage at 52 percent last season, according to UT sports.

SEE MENS, PG. 8

CONFERENCE

Big 12 opener will kick off the new year

By JUSTIN APODACA Sports Reporter

The Texas Tech men’s basketball team will play its first Big 12 conference game at 3 p.m. on New Year’s Day against Oklahoma State in the United Supermarkets Arena.

The Red Raiders will host

Kansas at 3 p.m. on Jan. 8 at the United Supermarkets Arena. Kansas finished first in the Big 12 Coaches Poll, receiving eight of 10 first place votes, according to Big 12 Sports.

Three days later, Tech will travel to Waco to take on the reigning national champion Baylor at 6 p.m. on Jan. 11.

Tech will take on Kansas again at 8 p.m. Jan. 24 before hosting Texas a week later at 8 p.m. on Feb. 1 at the United Supermarkets Arena. The game against Texas will be the return for former head coach Chris Beard after he left for the UT head basketball coaching position over the summer.

The Red Raiders will go on a brief road trip to West Virginia and Oklahoma before returning home to host Texas Christian at 3 p.m. on Feb. 12.

Baylor will travel to Lubbock at 8 p.m. on Feb. 16 to close out the season series against the Red Raiders at the United Supermarkets Arena.

Tech will then travel to Austin to take on the in-state rival Texas Longhorns at 11:30 a.m. on Feb. 19. This will be the second face-off between Tech and former head coach Beard, the first one in Longhorn territory.

The Red Raiders will host Oklahoma at 7 p.m.

Feb. 22, at the United Su-

NON-CONFERENCE

permarkets Arena before hosting Kansas State on senior day at 8 p.m. on Feb. 28.

Tech will close its interconference play and regular season schedule against Oklahoma State at 2 p.m. on March 5, in Stillwater, Oklahoma. @JustinApodacaDT

BASKETBALL PREVIEW

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NOV. 4, 2021

7

NON-CONFERENCE

Lady Raider’s slated for non-conference fight

By KAITLYN SALAZAR Sports reporter

Nov. 11 marks the beginning of the season for the Texas Tech women’s basketball team.

The team will participate in 12 non-conference matches to kick off the season, which will last until Dec. 29, according to Texas Tech Athletics. Six matches will be hosted at the United Supermarkets Arena.

Last season, the Lady Raiders had an overall record of 10-15, falling to Kansas State 75-65 in the first round of the Big 12 tournament, according to Tech Athletics.

In this year’s Big 12 preseason poll, Tech tied with Kansas State for eighth to win the Big 12 women’s basketball regular season title, according to Big 12 Sports.

Junior forward Bryn Gerlich said seeing the team’s preseason ranking motivated them to improve.

“Our preseason rankings were almost a bit offensive to us,” Gerlich said. “We just think we’re going to do better than that.”

To open the season, the Lady Raiders will take on Southeastern Louisiana at home on Nov. 11, according to Tech Athletics. The two teams have had three matchups in the past, the last one in 2015 resulting in Tech winning 113-51.

The Lions had a record of 11-8 last season, according to Southeastern Louisiana Athletics. The team reached the Southland Conference Basketball Tournament semifinals last season but fell to Sam Houston 79-77 after senior guard Morgan Carrier missed the game-winner.

Tech will then host Weber State on Nov. 16, according to Tech Athletics. This is the first time the two teams will matchup.

The Wildcats had a record of 2-20 last season, falling to Northern Arizona 82-68 in the first round of the Big Sky tournament, according to Weber State Athletics.

On Nov. 19, the Lady Raiders will host Lamar for their third matchup, according to Tech Athletics. The Lady Raiders have won every game against Lamar in the past, their last matchup having a score of 73-52, according to Tech Athletics.

Lamar had a record of 10-14 last season, falling to the Central Arkansas Sugar Bears 69-55 in the Southland Conference Tournament quarterfinals, according to Lamar Athletics.

Tech will host Texas State on Nov. 22 for the last home game before the Van Chancellor Classic.

Tech has won three out of the four matchups against the Bobcats, losing the last one 87-70 in 2017, according

ERIN DIGIACAMO/The Daily Toreador

Vivian Gray a senior guard, practices shooting the ball during the first practice of the season in United Supermarkets Arena on Sept. 30, 2021. to Tech Athletics.

Last season, Texas State had a tied record of 11-11, losing to Troy 103-90 in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament quarterfinals, according to Texas State Athletics.

To kick off the Van Chancellor Classic, Tech will take on the Cardinals of Ball State on Nov. 26, according to Tech Athletics.

This will be the first time that the two teams have gone head-to-head.

Ball State had an overall record of 14-11 last sea-

son, falling to Ohio in the Mid-American Conference Tournament quarterfinals 61-59, according to Ball State Athletics.

Tech will take on Old Dominion on Nov. 27 for the second day of the Van Chancellor Classic, according to Tech Athletics. The two teams have only met one other time in the 19981999 season, where Tech lost 85-64.

The Monarchs had a record of 13-11 last season, falling to Rice 62-60 in the Conference

USA Tournament semifinals, according to ODU Sports.

For the final game of the Van Chancellor Classic, the Lady Raiders will go up against New Mexico on Nov. 28, according to Tech Athletics.

In Tech’s last matchup against the Lobos, Tech lost 90-56, making its record against them 9-4, according to Tech Athletics.

Last season New Mexico had a record of 15-5, according to New Mexico Athletics.

The Lobos fell 90-85 against California Baptist in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament to close out their season.

On Dec. 2, the Lady Raiders will return home and participate in the Big 12/ SEC Challenge by hosting Georgia, according to Tech Athletics. This is the first time that the two teams will face each other.

Last season the fourthseeded Bulldogs had a record of 21-7, according to Georgia Athletics. In the NCAA second round, the Lady Bulldogs fell to Oregon 57-50.

Tech will go back on the road to face UNLV on Dec. 12, according to Tech Athletics.

This is the first time that the two teams will face each other.

The Lady Rebels finished last season with a record of 15-9, ending their season in the Midwest Tournament quarterfinals falling to Wyoming 72-56.

Tech will move forward to face Ole Miss on Dec. 20 for the first day of the West Palm Invitational, according to Tech Athletics.

The two teams have faced each other three times in the past, with Tech holding a 2-1 record over Ole Miss.

Ole Miss finished with a record of 15-12 last season, falling to Rice 71-58 in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament championship game.

For the second game of the West Palm Invitational, Tech will take on LSU, according to Tech Athletics. In the five matchups these two teams have had, LSU holds a winning record of 4-1 over the Lady Raiders.

Junior center Ella Tofaeono said LSU is one of the games she is most excited for.

“I am looking forward to the SEC games since I wasn’t able to showcase everything I can do at A&M,” Tofaeono said. “Probably the LSU, Baylor and UT games are the ones I am the most excited for.”

For the final game of nonconference play, Tech will host Incarnate Word on Dec. 29, according to Tech Athletics. Tech is currently undefeated against Incarnate Word and will look to keep that streak alive to close out the program’s schedule against non-Big 12 teams. @KaitSalazarDT

CONFERENCE

Lady Raider’s conference starting in new year

By JUSTIN APODACA Sports Reporter

The Lady Raider basketball team will open its Big 12 schedule at 2 p.m. on Jan. 2 against Oklahoma at the United Supermarkets Arena.

The Lady Raiders will take an early trip to Austin to take on the Texas Longhorns at 7 p.m. on Jan. 5. Texas finished tied for second as the Longhorns received two first place votes in the Big 12 preseason poll, according to Big 12 Sports. Texas’ freshman forward Aaliyah Moore was

named the Big 12 Preseason Freshman of the Year.

Tech will host Oklahoma State at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 8 and Kansas State at 2 p.m. on Jan. 15 before a brief road trip to play Texas Christian and Kansas.

The Lady Raiders will return to the United Supermarkets Arena to face Baylor at 7 p.m. on Jan. 26. Baylor finished first in the Big 12 preseason poll, receiving seven of 10 first place votes, according to Big 12 Sports.

Tech will then host Iowa State at 12:30 p.m. on Jan.

29, at the United Supermarkets Arena. Iowa State tied with Texas for second in the Big 12 preseason poll, according to Big 12 Sports.

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PROFILE

McCullar ready for new season under new head coach

By BISHOP VAN BUREN Editorial Assistant

Kevin McCullar is one of only five returners from last year’s men’s basketball team.

McCullar said he is preparing for a leadership role on a team with several Big 12 newcomers as he transitions to point guard this season.

“It’s what I’ve played my whole life, so I’m really just trying to be the leader since I have played in the Big 12,” McCullar said. “Kinda getting everybody where they need to be, playing narrow and being more vocal on the court.”

Despite playing on the wing mostly in his first three years under Tech’s former head coach Chris Beard, McCullar said he’s ready to embrace the role as the team’s starting point guard.

“Yeah, I’ll be there primarily,” McCullar said. “Just going in and just moving around too, getting up and down and playing a lot faster this year.”

McCullar’s father, Kevin McCullar Sr. played linebacker for Tech in college

MENS

CONTINUED FROM PG. 1 The Red Raiders will return to Lubbock to play Arkansas State at 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 14.

The Red Wolves finished fourth in the west section of the conference standings last season with a 7-8 record and a 11-13 overall record, according to Sunbelt Sports. Senior guard Marquis Eaton led the team in scoring with 16.1 points per game last season.

The Red Raiders will then travel to Phoenix, Arizona to play Gonzaga University in the Jerry Colangelo Classic in Footprint Center at 12 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18.

Gonzaga won the WCC regular season title last season with a 15-0 record and a

and then for the Green Bay Packers in the NFL. The 6-foot-6, 210-pound guard decided to follow in his father’s footsteps when signed with his father’s alma mater on Nov. 14, 2018.

McCullar is the longest tenured Red Raider on this year’s roster, as he was a member of Tech’s first team in school history to appear in the National Championship as a redshirt freshman in 2019.

In his four seasons since signing with Texas Tech, McCullar has played alongside many former Red Raiders who have seen action in the NBA including Jarrett Culver, Jahmius Ramsey and Mac McClung.

All three of those players led Tech in scoring in their last season as a Red Raider, including Jarrett Culver’s 18.5 points-per-game average that led Tech during their championship run and McCullar’s redshirt season in 2018-19.

“Just seeing them doing their thing in the NBA motivates me every day to get up 31-1 overall record, according to WCC Sports. It was the No. 1 ranked team in the country throughout the regular season and did not lose a game until the NCAA National Championship, where the Bulldogs were the runners up, according to NCAA.com.

The Bulldogs are ranked No. 1 in the preseason AP polls this year, according to NCAA.com. Junior Drew Timme led the WCC last season in points per game with 18.9 on 66.4 percent from the field, also racking up 7.2 rebounds per game and 2.4 assists per game, according to WCC Sports.

Tech will return to Lubbock for two more non-conference home games before the start of conference play.

E a s t e r n Wa s h i n g t o n comes into town on Tues-

KATIE PERKINS/The Daily Toreador

Junior point guard Kevin McCullar shoots a layup on Sept. 28, 2021 at the Dustin R. Womble Basketball Center. and want to be better and try to get where they are,” McCullar said.

Tech’s new head coach Mark Adams, a Texas Tech alum just like McCullar’s father, played a major role in leading Tech day, Dec. 28 to play the Red Raiders at the United Supermarkets Arena. The Eagles finished with a 16-8 overall record and a 12-3 record in conference play last season, according to the Big Sky Conference. The Eagles had the best freethrow percentage in the Big Sky Conference last season, shooting 79 percent from the charity stripe.

The Red Raiders will finish off their last nonconference game before the Big 12/SEC Challenge later this season as they host Alabama State on Tuesday, Dec. 28. Redshirt sophomore Kenny Strawbridge was selected to Second Team Preseason All-SWAC, according to Eastern Washington University Athletics.

Strawbridge was the team’s second leading scor-

to the top defensive efficiency rating as Beard’s assistant coach in 2019, according to Tech Athletics.

With Adams in the same position last season, the Red Raiders held opponents

to only 63.2 points per game, the lowest in the conference according to Big 12 sports. Tech had two players finish last season with rebounding averages in the top 10 in the conference.

McCullar finished eighth in the Big 12 last season with 6.3 rebounds per game, just one spot below fellow returner and 6-foot-7 super-senior Marcus Santos-Silva. McCullar also averaged 1.7 steals per game last season, which tied him with Kansas’ Marcus Garrett for fifth-highest in the conference, according to Big 12 Sports.

With experience guarding multiple positions and a proven ability to rebound the ball, McCullar said he will bring versatility to the point-guard position, a trait that will be important for Tech to maintain their success on defense.

“It’ll help because we have a real long lineup out there a lot of times and we can switch a lot of ballscreens and stuff, you know, still guard one through five,” McCullar said. “It’s gonna

be a lot for our bigs to switch on to guards and it’s gonna be a lot for our guards to switch on to big men.”

Despite missing the first nine games last season due to an injury suffered in the preseason that kept McCullar from starting until January, he ended the season as an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention and made the academic All-Big 12 First Team for the second straight year.

“Continuing the stuff in the classroom, handling my business there, you’ve gotta have that and it’s something nobody can take away from you,” McCullar said. “On the court I’m definitely trying to make a Big 12 team and try to get deeper into Player of the Year.”

McCullar is embracing a new leadership role as he prepares to start at point guard under new head coach Mark Adams. With versatility and experience on his side, McCullar will look to run Tech’s offense and build on an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention last season. @BishopVB_DT

KHLOE SCOTT/The Daily Toreador

The United Supermarkets Arena opened in 1999 and is home to the Red Raiders basketball, Lady Raiders basketball, and the Red Raiders volleyball team. The southeast entrance with where students can enter for games. er, averaging 10.5 points per game.

The final non-conference game of the season will be played at 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2 against Mississippi State University at the United Supermarkets Arena for

the Big 12/SEC Challenge.

The Bulldogs finished eighth in the SEC conference with an 8-10 record and a 18-15 overall record.

Mississippi State was runner up in last year’s NIT tournament, according to

NCCA.com. Junior guard Iverson Molinar led the team in scoring last season with 16.7 points per game while shooting 47.8 percent from the field, according to Mississippi State Athletics. @MikeAlvarezDT