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Texas Tech basketball: Most highly-anticipated non-con games in U.S.A. history

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TX - JANUARY 01: Head Coach Bobby Knight of Texas Tech recieves a trophy from Big 12 associate commissioner John Underwood during ceremony after his team's win over New Mexico at United Spirit Arena January 1, 2007 in Lubbock, Texas. With the win Knight surpassed Dean Smith to become the all-time winniest college basketball with 880 victories. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX - JANUARY 01: Head Coach Bobby Knight of Texas Tech recieves a trophy from Big 12 associate commissioner John Underwood during ceremony after his team's win over New Mexico at United Spirit Arena January 1, 2007 in Lubbock, Texas. With the win Knight surpassed Dean Smith to become the all-time winniest college basketball with 880 victories. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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Guard A. J. Guyton #25 of the Indiana Hoosiers talks to head coach Bobby Knight Mandatory Credit: Todd Warshaw /Allsport
Guard A. J. Guyton #25 of the Indiana Hoosiers talks to head coach Bobby Knight Mandatory Credit: Todd Warshaw /Allsport /

11-19-99: the USA opens with Indiana

Opening night of the U.S.A. brought another legendary program to Lubbock, Indiana.  Led by future Red Raider head coach Bob Knight, the Hoosiers spoiled the party by beating the home team 68-60.

A.J. Guyton scored 22 points to IU in the nationally-televised game.  Meanwhile, Red Raider forward Andy Ellis did all he could to lift his team with 30 huge points.  But it wasn’t enough.

After Tech took a 36-35 lead on the first possession of the second-half following a pair of free-throws from Ellis, Indiana took control for good with a 16-4 run. The Hoosiers also clamped down on the defensive end of the floor holding Tech to just 26.3% shooting after halftime.  In fact, at one point, the IU lead swelled to 57-42.

But the home team did not go quietly.  Tech pulled to within five points in the final minute but could not complete the comeback.  Three late free-throws sealed the deal for IU in front of a sold-out crowd.

That was my first-ever Texas Tech basketball game.  It was also my first introduction to how crazy the Red Raider student section could be.

Coming just a month after Knight was cited after a hunting accident in which he shot (not fatally) a friend, Tech students went all-out by wearing all types of orange and camo hunting attire and putting hunting target stickers just about anywhere they would stick.  Little did we know at the time that in less than two years, Knight would return to Lubbock to resurrect the Texas Tech basketball program.

One has to wonder if his trip to the U.S.A. in 1999 was what laid the foundation for his decision to come to the Hub City where he is still revered for the way he helped rebuild this program.   Of course, on his bench during that rebuild was a young assistant named Chris Beard, who is now making his mentor proud.

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