Texas Tech Red Raiders news: Lady Raiders win, baseball hosts UT, more

Let's take a look at the Texas Tech and NCAA news for Friday, March 8, 2024.

The Texas Tech Lady Raiders get a win in Big 12 Tournament

The Texas Tech Lady Raiders finally got back in the win column on Thursday. In the first round of the Big 12 Tournament, they took out Houston 74-60.

Jasmine Shavers put up a career-high 29 points to lead the way. She was 10-18 from the floor and 4-8 from 3-point range. She also had six boards and two assists.

After ending their nine-game losing streak, the Lady Raiders move on to the second round to take on No. 5 seed Baylor. The Bears beat the Lady Raiders 61-32 back on February 18 in Waco.

Texas Tech baseball opens Big 12 play at home vs. Texas

At Rip Griffin Park, the Texas Tech baseball team will open Big 12 play this weekend by hosting Texas for what could be the final time. The three-game series begins Friday night at 6:30 PM and continues Saturday at 2 PM and Sunday at 2 PM.

Tech's starting rotation will consist of RHP Kyle Robinson (2-1, 3.12 ERA), RHP Mac Heuer (1-0, 2.61 ERA), and RHP Jack Washburn (1-0, 8.49 ERA). The No. 17 Red Raiders are riding a 7-game winning streak while the No. 24 Longhorns are on a four-game skid.

Texas Tech softball opens Big 12 play in Provo

Thursday night, the Texas Tech softball team opened Big 12 play in Provo, Utah with a 10-5 win over BYU. The Red Raiders put up multiple runs in every odd-numbered inning including four in the top of the fifth.

Meanwhile, pitcher Maddie Kuehl picked up the win tossing 4.1 innings and giving up four earned runs while striking out four and walking four. The series continues today at 4 PM and Saturday at 1 PM.

Texas Tech basketball to host Baylor on Senior Day

The 21-9 Texas Tech basketball team hosts Baylor on Saturday at 5 pm for Senior Day. Guard Joe Toussaint and center Warren Washington will be honored at their last home game as collegiates.

Baylor is 22-8 overall and 11-6 in Big 12 play. They enter the game ranked 11th in the latest poll. Earlier this year, Tech fell to the Bears in Waco 79-73 on February 6th.

NCAA football early signing period adjusted

The early signing period for college football athletes has been adjusted after a vote from college commissioners.

According to Pete Thamel of ESPN, "The change, which will become effective in Dec 2024, will move the early signing dates to a three-calendar day period beginning the Wednesday following the last FBS regular season contest. There is no change to the regular signing period which will continue to be the first Wednesday in February through April 1.”

The new early signing period moves up two weeks to December 4th. Thamel also reports that a June signing period is being discussed.

NCAA rejects Reggie Bush's Heisman plea

The NCAA has rejected a plea by Reggie Bush to reconsider penalties against the USC football program -- as Bush continues to try to regain his Heisman Trophy. The ruling states that Bush has no standing because the penalties were enforced against USC as an institution and not Bush as an individual.

The decision to strip Bush of his Heisman Trophy was made not by the NCAA but by the Heisman Trust. Thus, returning his trophy is out of the NCAA's hands. However, it is believed that if the NCAA were to overturn the sanctions against USC, there might be reason for the Heisman Trust to consider reinstating Bush as a Heisman Trophy winner.