Texas Tech basketball is without question the most popular and in-demand commodity in West Texas since the advent of the cotton gin. That’s why tonight’s season opener against Eastern Illinois feels like few other openers in program history.
Though the Panthers are a mid-major program coming off a losing season, a full house is expected tonight at United Supermarkets Arena as the Red Raiders drop the 2019 Final Four and Big 12 Championship banners from the rafters. And this comes 20 years to the month after what was previously the most highly-anticipated season-opener in program history.
On November 19, 1999, Tech welcomed Indiana and head coach Bob Knight to Lubbock to open the United Spirit Arena.