Ayrton Oneill
The Texas Tech Red Raiders basketball team has had its fair share of ups and downs over the years. The team has seen several notable coaches, including Gerald Myers, James Dickey, Bob Knight, and his son Pat Knight. Under these coaches, the Raiders have achieved varying levels of success, with appearances in the NCAA Tournament and NIT tournaments, as well as some losing seasons. The Raiders have also been associated with academic scandals and violations, which resulted in NCAA sanctions. More recently, the team has had some exciting wins and made it to the Elite Eight, showcasing their potential and leaving fans eager for more.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Team Name | Texas Tech Red Raiders |
| Coach (as of 2001-2008) | Bob Knight |
| Coach's Record | 138-82 |
| Longest-serving Coach | Gerald Myers |
| Longest-serving Coach's Record | 326-261 |
| 2005/06 Season Record | 15-17 |
| 2006/07 Season Record | 21-13 |
| 2007/08 Mid-season Record | 12-8 |
| 2008/09 Season Points Scored | 167 |
| Opponent in 2008/09 Season | Division II East Central |
| Previous Record for Points Scored | 128 |
| Date of Previous Record | February 20, 1994 |
| Combined Total Points Scored (2008/09 Season) | 282 |
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What You'll Learn
Texas Tech Red Raiders basketball history
The Texas Tech Red Raiders basketball team has represented Texas Tech University in basketball since the team's founding in 1925—the same year the school opened its doors. The team plays NCAA Division I basketball and has been a charter member of the Big 12 Conference since its inception in 1996. Before that, the team competed in the Border Conference and the Southwest Conference.
The inaugural game for the Red Raiders was a 37–25 loss to Daniel Baker College. The team lost two more before clinching their first-ever victory, a 35–21 win over Sul Ross University. Over the years, the Red Raiders have won 13 regular-season conference championships and appeared in the NCAA tournament 21 times as of the 2024–2025 season. The team has played its home games at the United Supermarkets Arena on the university's campus in Lubbock, Texas, since 1999.
Berl Huffman was the first head coach of the Texas Tech basketball team, serving from 1935 to 1942 and then again from 1946 to 1947. Huffman was followed by Polk Robison, who served as head coach from 1942 to 1956 and again from 1961 to 1967. Robison led the Raiders to the first two NCAA tournaments in school history. Gene Gibson replaced Robison and served as head coach from 1967 to 1970. During his tenure, the Raiders won a Southwest Conference Championship in 1962.
Gerald Myers then took over as head coach in 1970 and remained in that position until 1991. Myers led the Raiders to 16 winning seasons, two Southwest Conference championships, three SWC tournament titles, and four NCAA tournament berths. He amassed a record of 326–261, making him the winningest coach in Texas Tech history at the time. James Dickey replaced Myers and served as head coach from 1991 to 2001. During the 1995–96 season, Dickey's Raiders produced one of the most successful seasons in school history, finishing 30–2 overall and undefeated in conference play. However, Dickey's tenure ended on a sour note when it was discovered that two players had been academically ineligible during the inaugural Big 12 basketball tournament in 1996. As a result, Texas Tech withdrew from postseason consideration and forfeited its entire conference schedule.
Bob Knight replaced Dickey and served as head coach from 2001 to 2008. Knight led the Raiders to three NCAA Tournament appearances and one NIT appearance in his first four years. On New Year's Day 2007, Knight earned his 880th career victory, making him the winningest coach in men's college basketball history. Knight retired in 2008, and his son Pat Knight took over as head coach. The Red Raiders made their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2012 in 2019 under the leadership of head coach Chris Beard.
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The team's most successful coaches
The Texas Tech Red Raiders basketball team has had several successful coaches throughout its history. Here is a detailed look at some of the team's most successful coaches:
Gerald Myers:
Gerald Myers served as the head coach of the Texas Tech Red Raiders from 1970/71 to 1991. His tenure was the longest of any head coach in the program's history. During his time, Myers led the team to numerous milestones, including wins #600, #700, #800, and #900. With a career record of 326-261, Myers has the most wins of any men's basketball coach in Texas Tech history. He guided the team to 16 winning seasons, two Southwest Conference (SWC) championships, three SWC tournament titles, and four NCAA tournament appearances.
James Dickey:
James Dickey took over as the head coach of the Red Raiders after Myers, from 1991/92 until the end of the 2000/01 season. Dickey had a successful tenure, amassing a 166-124 win-loss record (164-123 excluding vacated games). During Dickey's time, the team won two SWC Classic titles and ended the 1995-96 season ranked eighth in both the Associated Press Poll and Coaches' Poll. However, his tenure was also marred by academic eligibility issues and NCAA violations.
Bob Knight:
Bob Knight, a Hall of Fame coach, led the Texas Tech men's basketball program from 2001 to 2008. Knight significantly improved the team's performance, leading them to three NCAA Tournament appearances and one NIT appearance in his first four years. During the 2005-06 season, Knight School, an ESPN reality TV show, was filmed, showcasing Knight and the Red Raiders. Knight became the winningest coach in men's college basketball history, achieving his 900th career victory in 2008. He finished his tenure at Texas Tech with a 138-82 overall record.
Pat Knight:
Pat Knight, the son of Bob Knight, became the head coach of the Red Raiders in 2008 after his father's resignation. In the 2009-10 season, he led the team to the NIT quarterfinals. However, he was unable to replicate the same level of success as his father, and Texas Tech terminated his position after three and a half seasons due to a lack of NCAA tournament appearances.
Grant McCasland:
Grant McCasland is the current head coach of the Texas Tech Red Raiders as of 2023. He previously coached at North Texas, where he won two postseason tournament championships. McCasland's impact on the Texas Tech program is yet to be fully determined, but he brings a wealth of experience and success from his previous coaching stints.
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The Raiders' biggest wins
The Texas Tech Red Raiders men's basketball team has had several notable wins and achievements over the years.
One of the Raiders' biggest wins came on New Year's Day 2007 when they defeated New Mexico 70-68, giving their coach at the time, Bob Knight, his 880th career victory. This win made Knight the highest-winning coach in men's college basketball history. The Raiders followed this up with another impressive victory on January 16, 2008, when they upset the ninth-ranked Texas A&M Aggies 68-53, marking Knight's 900th career win.
Another significant win for the Raiders came in March 2008 when they defeated the top team in the conference, #5 Texas, with a score of 83-80. This victory ended a month-long, eight-game winning streak for the Longhorns.
In the 2008-09 season, the Raiders set a new school record for the most points scored in a game, defeating Division II opponent East Central 167-115. The previous record was 128 points, set in a double-overtime victory against Texas in February 1994.
The Raiders have also had some notable wins in NCAA Tournament play. In 2005, under Bob Knight, they reached the Sweet Sixteen. In 2025, they achieved another Sweet Sixteen appearance, forcing the first overtime game of the men's NCAA Tournament with a wild comeback against #10 Arkansas, ultimately winning 85-83 and securing their spot in the Elite Eight.
The Texas Tech Red Raiders men's basketball team has a proud history, with several milestone victories and a strong presence in college basketball.
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Tournament appearances
Texas Tech's men's basketball team, the Red Raiders, has had several notable tournament appearances over the years. The team's performance in NCAA tournaments has been particularly noteworthy.
During Gerald Myers' tenure as head coach from 1970 to 1991, the Red Raiders achieved four NCAA tournament berths. In 1996, however, the team was embroiled in a scandal involving academically ineligible players, which resulted in the NCAA stripping Tech of its two NCAA tournament wins that year.
The Red Raiders rebounded under the leadership of Bob Knight, who served as head coach from 2001 to 2008. Knight led the team to three NCAA Tournament appearances in his first four years, including a Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2005. The 2005 Sweet Sixteen run was particularly impressive, as it marked the only time Knight finished a complete season with a losing record and fewer than 21 wins. The Red Raiders' success continued in the 2006-07 season, where they earned another bid to the NCAA Tournament.
In recent years, the Texas Tech men's basketball team has continued to make waves in tournament play. In 2019, the Red Raiders advanced to the NCAA Tournament's Final Four, showcasing their status as a formidable contender in college basketball.
Overall, the Texas Tech men's basketball team has a rich history of tournament appearances, with a mix of triumphs and setbacks along the way. The program has produced memorable moments and continues to strive for success in the highly competitive world of college basketball.
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The team's most notable players
The Texas Tech Red Raiders basketball team has had a rich history with several notable players and coaches over the years. The team was founded in 1925, the same year Texas Tech University opened its doors, and has since won 13 regular-season conference championships and made 21 appearances in the NCAA tournament as of the 2024-2025 season.
One of the most notable coaches in the history of the Texas Tech men's basketball team is Gerald Myers, who led the team for 21 years from 1970 to 1991. Myers amassed a remarkable record of 326–261, achieving more wins with the Red Raiders than any other men's basketball coach in the school's history. During his tenure, Myers led the team to 16 winning seasons, two Southwest Conference championships, three SWC tournament titles, and four NCAA tournament berths.
Another iconic figure in Texas Tech men's basketball is Bob Knight, who served as the head coach from 2001 to 2008. Knight is known for his impressive coaching record, becoming the highest-winning coach in men's college basketball history in 2007. During his time at Texas Tech, Knight led the Red Raiders to three NCAA Tournament appearances and one NIT appearance in his first four years. Knight's overall win-loss record at Texas Tech stood at 138–82, further cementing his legacy in the sport.
James Dickey, who coached the team from 1991 to 2001, also left a significant impact on the program. During his tenure, Dickey amassed a respectable 166–124 win-loss record, guiding the team to success in the early 1990s.
The Texas Tech Red Raiders men's basketball team has had its fair share of challenges as well. In the 1996/97 season, it was discovered that two players had been academically ineligible during the Raiders' first-round game in the Big 12 basketball tournament. This incident led to Texas Tech withdrawing from postseason consideration and forfeiting its entire conference schedule. Despite this setback, the team has continued to strive for excellence and build a competitive program.
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Frequently asked questions
Bob Knight served as the Texas Tech men's basketball head coach from 2001 to 2008. In his first four years, Knight led the Red Raiders to three NCAA Tournament appearances and one NIT appearance, including an appearance in the Sweet Sixteen in 2005. On New Year's Day 2007, Texas Tech recorded a 70–68 defeat of New Mexico, giving Knight his 880th career victory and making him the highest-winning coach in men's college basketball history at the time. Knight's overall win-loss record at Texas Tech was 138-82.
During the inaugural Big 12 basketball tournament, it was discovered that two players had been academically ineligible but had played the entire season. Hours later, Texas Tech announced that it was withdrawing from postseason contention and forfeiting its entire conference schedule. An investigation revealed massive violations in men's basketball dating back to 1990, resulting in the NCAA stripping Tech of its two NCAA tournament wins in 1996 and nine scholarships over four years.
James Dickey was the head coach of the Texas Tech men's basketball team before Bob Knight. Dickey served from 1991/92 until the end of the 2000/01 season, amassing a win-loss record of 166–124 (or 164–123 with vacated games omitted).
The Texas Tech men's basketball team finished the 2005/06 season with a 15–17 overall record, marking the only time that Knight finished a complete season at Texas Tech with a losing record and fewer than 21 wins.
The Texas Tech men's basketball team lost in the first round of the 2008 Big 12 tournament to Oklahoma State. The team did not receive an invitation to play in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship or the National Invitation Tournament that year.
