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Texas Tech basketball: The 5 defining games of Ronald Ross’ career

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - MARCH 07: An Under Armour basketball sits on the court during a timeout during the first half of the college basketball game against the Kansas Jayhawks on March 07, 2020 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - MARCH 07: An Under Armour basketball sits on the court during a timeout during the first half of the college basketball game against the Kansas Jayhawks on March 07, 2020 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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Members of the Texas Tech cheerleaders . (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Members of the Texas Tech cheerleaders . (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Ross sets school record for points in the NCAA Tournament

The best players are the ones who can take their games to a new level when it matters most.  That’s what Ronald Ross did in the 2005 NCAA Tournament and he began that run with a monster game against UCLA.  In the 78-66 first-round win, Ross set a Texas Tech basketball record for points in an NCAA Tournament game with 28.

One of three Red Raiders in double digits that day, the point guard shot 11-20 from the field and 2-4 from 3-point range.  He also had seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

But unlike the Texas A&M game we discussed, Ross had plenty of help from his friends that night.  As a team, the Red Raiders shot 61.5% from the field and 42.9% from deep.  Jackson added 19 points that day and Devonne Giles had 16.

It was part of the best streak of basketball Ross played as a Red Raider.  As we mentioned earlier, he also had 28 points two games earlier against Oklahoma and in the Big 12 title game, he put up 22 in a losing effort.

Don’t forget that the 2004-05 team was a guard-dominant squad.  While the 6-foot-9 Giles was solid with 11.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, it was the trio of Ross, Jackson, and Zeno that carried the load.

Of that trio, Ross was the unquestioned leader.  He was the only upperclassman as Jackson was a sophomore and Zeno was a true freshman.  And against the Bruins, he set the tone for a great run in March by setting a school record against one of the most storied programs in the game.

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