Always a Lady Raider Fan!

[Bball Girl]

I'm in my 4th season here at Tech...but even before I came to Lubbock, I was a Lady Raider fan and will remain one.

They are tight...During her radio show, Coach Sharp talked about this group being mentally fragile...shots don't fall, they make some turnovers and they get down on themselves. They haven't been acting like the team we saw give Vandy a clinic...but that team is still there.

The coaches look as frustrated as I've ever seen them. The players are frustrated. Everyone is almost trying too hard. They need to relax and play their game.

But this is what comes from having a terrific winning program with a solid fan base...but one with a great deal of expectations. When things get tough, the noose tightens. When you're a middle of the pack team year after year (having worked at Arkansas and Mississippi), you celebrate your wins and handle your losses and move on. But when you're a team used to contending for a conference title every year...those losses are tougher to deal with. OU, ISU, KSU, and Baylor....keep that in mind. The more successful you far, the higher the expectations are. Colorado, Texas, and Kansas and now Tech can all tell you about that.

While I'm glad to see the men's program doing well, it doesn't help to have that going on at the same time the women's team is struggling. When Coach Knight was hired, the wbb bashers came out of the woodwork...and we all heard how Knight will relegate Sharp & the LRs to 2nd class citizens in Lubbock, etc. These jerks seems to resent "women" getting any good attention for athletics and thinks it takes away from the men's program. That only happens when you have a men's team like last year. So,now outcry is taking place over on the RP.com..they're ready to fire Coach Sharp now.

Knight's done a great job with the men's program on and off the court and I have no bones at all to pick with him.

I have no problems with criticism of the team's play this year, they deserve some criticism, but I do have bones to pick with anyone who puts down this program, this team and these coaches.

What they forget is Coach Sharp built the USA...Bobby Knight just has the pleasure of playing in her house and that will never change...the USA will always be the house Sharp built.


Keep in mind the Tennesee won a NC with 10 losses one year (including an away loss to Arkansas).

These are great kids who care deeply what they're doing. They work their butts off and give of themselves day in and day out. They have publicly stated how bad they feel "letting down" their fans and how they could understand if people gave up on them. Well I haven't given up on them and I never will.

I have tickets to the Final 4 this year and if OU is there, you bet I'll be yelling my heads off for OU and no one will be any more thrilled if y'all can pull it off.

But the words on my shirt will be Texas Tech Lady Raiders!

[elfdenmom]

Wonderful post, Bball Girl. You said what is in my heart. I believe in the coaches, I believe in the team, and win or lose I am there to support them!

[dem]

Very well said. Let me also try to add some perspective on this season.

What did the coaches mean when they all said that this would be a "brutal" season in the Big 12? It meant that just about EVERYONE would be going through some very unfamiliar suffering. And how right they were -- how much fun were the following streaks to endure, fans of Big 12 teams ranked in the top 25:

Colorado: 0-3
Iowa State: 2-5
Baylor: 1-3
Texas Tech: 2-4
Texas: 1-5
Kansas State: 1-3

Really, I wonder if A & M, OSU, Nebraska, and Missouri are actually suffering more than the upper division teams, given the better match between expectations and reality there. But, I wouldn't presume to judge; I'm sure there's plenty of hurt to spread around. And Kansas, I can't even imagine what that's been like.

So far only Oklahoma has escaped, and it looks like they may make it all the way to the end with only that one horrible night in Ames to serve as a nasty memory. But . . . there is still the tournament in Kansas City (remember last year?), and NEXT year in the Big 12 . . . Could it be that Oklahoma fans might be able to experience first-hand what the rest of us have gone through this year?

And that, I'm afraid, is life in the Big 12. Funny, everybody wanted so bad for the Big 12 to be as tough and nasty as the SEC. And what do you know, now it is. Ain't it fun. You have to watch out what you wish for, they say, because you may end up getting it . . .

and so we did.

[Hazel]

Great posts by all! Especially Dem's last couple of paragraphs.

[swok34]

Oklahoma has only tasted this kind of success the last 2 years and this season.........I think that's a little different than a team that has exceeded expectations since 1993 (that I'm aware of). The last 2 years, Texas Tech hasn't had to do any rebuilding (at least is seems that way)......they just reloaded.

I know this Oklahoma fan KNOWS that we are losing our 4 senior starters and hey, it'll be a fun year.....and I know I personally probably won't pick them #1 preseason conference next year....I would expect middle of the pack, that's just a guess; haven't thought that much about it. I do look forward to seeing the freshmen come in and see how Dionnah Jackson progresses from season to season.

Very good post, I would think Baylor fan's would feel similar to OU fan's.......not sure about Iowa State, they've done well over the time of their seniors, right?......and OU has really had this one core team to follow, only losing Phylesha Whaley and Sunny Hardeman along the way.....and Desiree Taylor.

[Bball Girl]

Dem is right...it's one heck of a league to play in. As KMR said before the Texas game...every weekend we beat the tar of each other. If you look at the remaining schedule, there are some really tough games coming up.

No disrespect meant at all to OU and anyone else. Your teams deserve everything they are getting and more. But a wonderful season builds expectations...just look at Notre Dame...one year a NC and the next year not even ranked in the top 25. You know those kids are feeling it too. Those expectations can be tough on young kids...but after all that's why they want to play at school like Tech or Texas or now OU or Baylor or ISU....their are little girls in Kansas dreaming of playing for KSU now!

Like Dem, I think our league in even deeper than folks realize. TAMU has done some damage this year and Peggie Gillom is finally getting some long earned respect for her program.

If we all survive Big 12 play this year...the NCAAs will be nothing in comparison!

[schooner2]

Good thread guys.

I'm already preparing myself for next season. I'm determined to not let myself get too spoiled here. The entire year, THE ENTIRE YEAR, OU has been ranked in the Top 5 in the country. That simply doesn't happen often. Even Tennessee may fall from the Top 5 this week. Only UCONN seems entrenched there.

Next year may be a little rough after getting used to winning so much. OU will once again revisit the underdog role in a few games next season. OU will likely be behind KSU and TTU and UT. BUT, notice that along with Oklahoma, Colorado loses a lot, Baylor loses a lot, and ISU loses a lot. So the conference will once again be really topsy turvy and should allow an A&M, an OSU, a Missouri, an NU, or shoot even KU to jump up a bit next season.

[mred]

Originally posted by Bball Girl:

Like Dem, I think our league in even deeper than folks realize. TAMU has done some damage this year and Peggie Gillom is finally getting some long earned respect for her program.


With the exception of Kansas, I think the other "bottom 5" teams would be at least middle-of-the-road in most other conferences.

[AirLonghorn]

Very well said. But I think the problem with the Lady Raiders this year is that they are having an alergic reaction to all of the red and back polyester the fans wear.

[Bball Girl]

Burnt orange and Aggie maroon are the only colors Tech fans are allergic to...... http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

[Press]

Originally posted by AirLonghorn:
Very well said. But I think the problem with the Lady Raiders this year is that they are having an alergic reaction to all of the red and back polyester the fans wear.



So far AirLonghorn, I've read about 4 posts of yours and they all have been negative, mostly about Tech. Is there not anything positive to say about the horns, or are you one that gets all your joy from bashing other teams? I think there are a lot of positives to talk about, personally.

By the way, would you happen to be related to Swam4Texas? I detect similarities in your posts.

[grojc]

Please Press, read your own fan's post. Let's not start this again.

[Texan]

I take Airlonghorn's posts as good natured ribbing. I've not seen anything personally attacking or out of line. Seems to me to be in the spirit of healthy competition.

[Press]

Originally posted by grojc:
Please Press, read your own fan's post. Let's not start this again.



I have, it's not necessary, I don't care who's posting it.

[Bball Girl]

Hey, I'm allowed to tease back.

Actually what ticks me off is the polyster remark. I'm sick of hearing that line from the young fans over on RaiderPower and here..because it's yet another jibe against our loyal senior fans including my mother. This is the 3rd DI school that's I've worked at and each place, there was a loyal over 60 contingent of fans who stuck with the teams rain or shine. For some reason, that seems to bug the heck out of some and I have no idea why. They pay their money, they show up every game, and their loyalty is without end.

As far as our players go...plenty of hugs are exchanged between our players and their senior fans.

[Texan]

Didn't realize it was a jibe at the seniors. I love all the senior support in the big 12. We'd be no where at UT without our polyester contingent http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by Texan (edited 02-17-2002).]

[AirLonghorn]

Dear Press:
Wow! When I made the comment....all in fun....the thought of "seniors" was not even an issue. I was just trying to figure out what the "overall problem" has been with Tech this year. When they played in Austin, I thought they looked as good as any team I'd seen this year. Congrats! On your beating the Big Ten team today, but I would think with all of the cotton produced in the state of Texas, you'd learn how to wear it!

See ya: and Hook'em

Originally posted by Press:
So far AirLonghorn, I've read about 4 posts of yours and they all have been negative, mostly about Tech. Is there not anything positive to say about the horns, or are you one that gets all your joy from bashing other teams? I think there are a lot of positives to talk about, personally.

By the way, would you happen to be related to Swam4Texas? I detect similarities in your posts.

[AirLonghorn]

Originally posted by AirLonghorn:

Don't know and am not related to "Swam4Texas," but I have a pair of identical twin cousins from Lubbock that go by "poly" and "ester"

Dear Press:
Wow! When I made the comment....all in fun....the thought of "seniors" was not even an issue. I was just trying to figure out what the "overall problem" has been with Tech this year. When they played in Austin, I thought they looked as good as any team I'd seen this year. Congrats! On your beating the Big Ten team today, but I would think with all of the cotton produced in the state of Texas, you'd learn how to wear it!

See ya: and Hook'em

[two cents]

Negativity aside, all the posts have been inane. AirHeadLonghorn might be a more fitting moniker.

[two cents]

You wrote a lot of good stuff on this thread Bball Girl. Sorry I didn't have time to respond sooner, but better late than never.

During her radio show, Coach Sharp talked about this group being mentally fragile
At least Coach Sharp never lost her sense of humor. It was funny during last week's radio show when an audience member asked if they had ever used sports psychologists for the players. Her response: "No, not for the players.....but the coaches are fixin' to.....I'm goin' in 15 minutes and Lance is after me."

They haven't been acting like the team we saw give Vandy a clinic...but that team is still there.
You're right. Those team members are still there. I have continued to believe that this team could ignite at any minute in any game and take off like a bottle rocket. There is more than enough talent to go around, still. If they can harness confidence to match the talent, they will be more than a handful for any opponent.

the wbb bashers came out of the woodwork
Sports chauvinists will take advantage of any opportunity. They are best ignored.

Keep in mind the Tennesee won a NC with 10 losses one year (including an away loss to Arkansas).
I keep reminding myself of that. However, I have to admit Tennessee played an even tougher non-conference schedule that year, with many freshmen, than Tech has played this year. Unfortunately, one of their away victories that year occurred in Lubbock, a game Tech had a great chance to win. That was also Tech's last "down" year, 1996-97.

These are great kids who care deeply what they're doing. They work their butts off and give of themselves day in and day out. They have publicly stated how bad they feel "letting down" their fans and how they could understand if people gave up on them. Well I haven't given up on them and I never will.
I love your sentiment.
It bothers me that the players would feel bad about "letting down" their fans. As a fan, that's the last thing I want them to experience. They are participating in a premier athletic program. That is an opportunity, but it is also a responsibility with lots of obligations. As you point out, it requires tremendous dedication and hard work. All of this, in addition to the games, is part of the educational experience. It supplements their academic effort. That is the point of the scholarship as far as I'm concerned. After they have worked hard and fulfilled their responsibilities, I want them to have as much fun as possible with the actual games. The games are the reward. I'm there yelling so that they can enjoy the experience of crowd support. I hate to think the players feel like they "owe" me anything more than a great effort. A great effort during games is their final responsibility.

But a wonderful season builds expectations...just look at Notre Dame...one year a NC and the next year not even ranked in the top 25. You know those kids are feeling it too.
Right again. Still, I 'spect that OU fans would gladly take that NC this year and worry about next year....well....next year.

If we all survive Big 12 play this year...the NCAAs will be nothing in comparison!
Coach Sharp hinted at that point last night during her radio show. In referring to perimeter players around the country, she said that after already "facing Dales, Caufield, and Lambert there's not much out there that scares you." She made a similar point about post players. The variety of skills and styles presented by players like Welle, Ohlde, and Stephens prepared Jolee Ayers for defending Stomski of Wisconsin.

As far as our players go...plenty of hugs are exchanged between our players and their senior fans.
Some of those seniors are an important part of the emotional support network for the players. I'm glad the players have those folks around this year.