Roberson scores 1,000 points

John Roberson didn’t know that his free throw with 44 seconds left in Tuesday’s game would put him among an elite group of Texas Tech basketball players.

The basket gave the junior point guard his 14th point of the night and 1,000th of his college career.

“Nobody tells me about any of that stuff,” Roberson said after Tech’s 100-87 win against Stanford. “I just go out there and play.”

Roberson is one of just eight players to score 1,000 points since Bob Knight took over as head coach in 2001. Coach Pat Knight joked that it’s the motion offense that helps players reach the mark, but also credited Roberson’s offensive ability.

“It’s a heck of a thing to do, especially playing in the Big 12,” Knight said. “Look at his size. You’re not talking about a 6-5 kid, 6-7.”
Roberson said he’s particularly proud to have reached the milestone in less than two and a half seasons. He joked that he’ll spend the next 50 or so games trying to reach the 2,000 point mark.

“The kid’s going to leave here being one of the best guards who ever played at Texas Tech,” Knight said, “and we still have him another year and a half.”

Okorie injures shoulder
Nick Okorie drained a 3-pointer late in the first half, taking over as
Tech’s leading scorer with seven points. Minutes later, he was out of the game.

Okorie went up for a shot 2 minutes, 24 seconds before halftime and came down with a hard foul against Stanford’s Drew Shiller that left the Tech senior writhing in pain on the court.

“Nick’s shoulder popped in and out,” Knight said after the game. “They’ll do MRIs tomorrow and we’ll know for sure what’s wrong.”
Okorie returned to the bench in the second half with his arm in a sling.

Fans fill USA
More than 13,000 fans filled United Spirit Arena for the game, thanks in large part to reduced ticket prices of just $3 each.

It was such a huge improvement compared to the attendance at earlier games, Knight stayed on the court afterward to thank the fans.

“Everybody, I’d just like to thank you for showing up,” he said. “This is the best Christmas present you can give this team.”

Quote of the game
“New Mexico’s a good team. They’re a good team…oh shoot. I’m already looking ahead.”

–Tech forward Mike Singletary, meaning to talk about Stanford but already thinking about Tech’s next opponent, New Mexico.

Compiled by Courtney Linehan