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Texas Tech basketball: The top 25 Red Raiders in the Big 12 era

By Matthew Conner

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 08: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrates the play against the Virginia Cavaliers in the second half during the 2019 NCAA men's Final Four National Championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 08: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrates the play against the Virginia Cavaliers in the second half during the 2019 NCAA men's Final Four National Championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Jan 26, 2019; Lubbock, TX, USA; The Texas Tech Red Raiders cheerleaders are illuminated by fire before a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2019; Lubbock, TX, USA; The Texas Tech Red Raiders cheerleaders are illuminated by fire before a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 13: Andy Ellis

Another lanky big man checks in at no. 13 on our list.  But unlike Tariq Owens, Andy Ellis wasn’t necessarily a dominant athlete nor was he a human Stretch Armstrong like Owens.

But still, the Lamesa native was one of the best forwards/centers to ever suit up for the Red Raiders.  With 1,431 points in his career, he ranks no. 18 on the program’s all-time scoring list.  And in each of his final three seasons (1999-2000, 2000-01, and 2001-02), he averaged at least 14.2 points per game.

The 6-foot-10 forward was a bit ahead of his time as a stretch forward who was more than comfortable playing away from the basket.  He was a 35.8% shooter from 3-point range and his mid-range game even more dangerous.

An All-Big 12 freshman team selection in 1998-99 and a second-team All-Big 12 honoree as a senior, he ranks in the top ten in a number of the program’s Big 12 record books. He’s 9th in most FG made with 240, 7th in rebounds with 320, and 3rd in rebounds per game at 6.2.

Perhaps the defining play of Ellis’ career was also the perfect example of how he played the game.  With Tech and Baylor tied at 89 in the closing seconds on March 2, 2002, Ellis ran the length of the court to slam home a missed Ronald Ross layup attempt.  Punctuating Tech’s game-winning fast break with his final two of 28 points and his 10th rebound of the game, Ellis helped his team erase a 10-point second-half deficit.

Then head coach Bob Knight would call that play one of the best he’d ever seen one of his players make.  It was the typical hustle play that we came to expect from Ellis and one that displayed everything he was about as a player, scoring, rebounding, and extra effort.  That’s why he remains one of the best to ever play for the Red Raiders.

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