Texas Tech Thursday Morning Notes - Best In Terms of Turf Systems Edition

DTN's Top Four:

1. Good stuff from T. Kyle King at Dawg Sports on why Bob Stoops is no longer "Big Game Bob".
2. More from the Dagger on Bob Knight, Billy Packer, and broadcasting NCAA Tournament games from Las Vegas.
3. Pretty cool video of Bucks rookie Joe Alexander, dunking with his nose.
4. Uncommon Sportsman on mob football, kirkwall Ba'.

LAJ's Don Williams has more on Emory Blake reconsidering his decision to play at Texas Tech. Here's Blake:

"It’s between Tech and Colorado," Blake said. "It’s really 50-50 right now. I’m really having a tough time with my decision. I’m staying up at night thinking about it, so it’s tough."

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Blake made a non-binding oral commitment to Tech after visiting on the weekend of the Red Raiders’ 39-33 upset of No. 1 Texas.

"Even when I committed, I was thinking which school was better for me - if CU was better for me or if Tech was better for me," he said. "I think (the Buffaloes) have always been in the back of my mind."

Digression: Don't fault the kid for having to make a tough decision and we should probably brace ourselves for some commitments to switch late in the game as well. Remember, that these guys are human and probably have never had to make a decision that could affect the rest of their life.  If a kid doesn't choose Texas Tech, there's no need to bad-mouth them, just wish them well and move on.

Mentioned last night in the FanPost, DTN wishes Todd Walker luck as he's graduating early to attend dental school. Don't forget these great Todd Walker moments, per Don Williams:

Walker’s top two performances came in dramatic comeback victories in 2006. In a 38-35 overtime win at Texas El-Paso, he made five catches for 47 yards. His 12-yard reception set up Alex Trlica’s game-winning 49-yard field goal.

In Tech’s historic, 44-41 overtime win over Minnesota at the Insight Bowl, he caught five passes for 68 yards. Tech’s NCAA record comeback started with the Red Raiders trailing the Golden Gophers 38-7 in the second half. On Tech’s first scoring drive of the third quarter, Walker caught a 20-yard pass on third-and-6. To set up the next touchdown, he made a 14-yard catch on fourth-and-11.

Captain Mike Leach is the recipient of the FieldTurf and Howie Long Divison I-A Coach of the Year and had this to say about the great product that is FieldTurf:

"I would like to thank FieldTurf for their large presence at this year's AFCA Convention," said legendary Texas Tech Head Coach, Mike Leach. "I am proud to have been named as the D1 Coach of the Year by a company that symbolizes excellence in our game. Their awards party was very well attended this year and we at Texas Tech look forward to many more years on our FieldTurf surface. We feel as though we have the best of the best in terms of turf systems."

Now, that's a press release.

There haven't been any basketball stories in the last few days, partly because Texas Tech doesn't play Texas until Saturday afternoon (3:00 p.m. tipoff) and the other part is that I'm being a little lazy.

In any event, Saturday, before the Texas game, at the Animal and Food Science livestock arena, there's going to be an indoor tailgate, and it's free if you're a student or have a ticket . . . and it's sponsored by Miller Lite. Here are the details, per the official Texas Tech website:

HOOP-FEST

When:	Saturday, January 17. Begins at 11:30 AM and continues until 2:30 PM.
Where:	Indoors at the Animal and Food Sciences carpeted livestock arena. Just across the street from the United Spirit Arena.
Who:	Free admission for all Texas Tech students - be sure to bring your student ID card for admittance to Hoop-Fest and the men's basketball game. Tech students will be given a VIP wrist-band at Hoop-Fest for special student seating at the Red Raider men's basketball game, which begins at 3 PM. Free admission to Hoop-Fest for everyone holding a game ticket for the Texas Tech / Texas men's game.
What:	Free hot dogs, hamburgers, and soft drinks. Free music -- live performances by the Hogg Maulies and The Shock! Free parking.

Hoop-Fest timeline

11:30 AM to 12:30 PM	The Shock! performs.
12:30 PM to 1:00 PM	KAMC-TV Hoop-Fest show with host David Collier. Guests: Coach Pat Knight and others.
1:00 PM to 2:30 PM	Hogg Maulies perform.
3:00 PM Tipoff	Men's Basketball -- Texas Tech vs. Texas at the United Spirit Arena