Tech forwards excited about chance to play top-seeded Kansas
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Still dressed from Tech’s 82-67 win against Colorado, Robert Lewandowski called across the locker room to Darko Cohadarevic. The Overland Park, Kan., native was facing a problem he did not anticipate.
“Hey Darko, you using your four tickets for tomorrow’s game?” he asked.
The eighth-seeded Red Raiders beat No. 9 seed Colorado on Wednesday, and in doing so advanced to face No. 1 Kansas. While Lewandowski spent the moments after the game hunting down more tickets for family and friends, he will have a much bigger problem on his hands at 11:30 a.m. today: Cole Aldrich.
Kansas’ 6-foot-11 senior center averages 11.3 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, enough to earn him recognition as the Big 12’s Defensive Player of the Year.
Lewandowski, a 6-10 sophomore, knows he will have to be nearly flawless on both ends of the court if Tech is to have any hope at winning.
“Cole Aldrich is one of the best players in the country,” Lewandowski said. “You have to go out there and know you can play and hold your own.”
If nothing else, Lewandowski and fellow forward Darko Cohadarevic should be fresh for the game. Lewandowski averages more than 10 minutes per game but did not play Wednesday. Cohadarevic remained in the starting lineup, but saw just nine minutes.
The forwards warmed the bench because Tech was trying to match up with a smaller, quicker Colorado team.
“They were great on the bench, didn’t sulk,” coach Pat Knight said after Tuesday’s win. “I told them, ‘Boys, you’ve got no choice. You’re up tomorrow.’ They’re each going to play half the game.”
With such a short turnaround, Tech’s only preparation for today’s game was a Wednesday afternoon walk-through at a local corporate gym.
It’s not an ideal situation when facing a team that is 29-2 overall and lost just one game during the conference season. But the Raiders say they’re just happy to get the win and the opportunity to prove themselves.
“I’m excited,” guard Nick Okorie said. “It’s a shot to play the No. 1 team in the Big 12 tournament and on ESPN. I love that.”
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Lewandowski has been a disappointment this year. He showed some good signs last season, but he can barely get on the floor this year.
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the game will be over after the tip off…hello NIT…
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I second tech fan in ATX.
I guard Bevo’s corral
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How can you get too excited over a good butt kickin’!? KU is much better than the team that put a 26 point hurtin’ on them in Lawrence. Because KU has a lot bigger fish to fry than Tech, their starters won’t play much but Tech will still feel the wrath.
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Tech fan, you need to change your name with comments like that! Yes they are huge underdogs, but a real fan sticks with them and never gives up hope!!
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NIT’s not a bad fate for the team, not after what they’ve been through these last couple of years. Like Darrell Royal once said: “Old Ugly’s better than old Nothing!”
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Hello NIT – Tech doesn’t even deserve THAT.
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Way to go Tech. I, unlike the fair weather fans, wish you luck against KU and hope you make a deep run in the NIT. Keep the faith and turn the tide. I know how tough it can be. Been there – done it. Most, if not all these fans, never played the game at your level and are clueless to what it takes rebuild a program.
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OUTSIDER said it best…you people just don’t get it!!
This is Lubbock Texas…when a kid has a choice of where to go to school and play athletics…Lubbock Texas is NOT going to get the best talent and therefore will not likely have the best team…EVER!!!
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What kind of upbringing and childhood COULD pat Knight have had…..WOW, can you EVEN imagine, with a volitale parent like he has, WOW!
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Techster? You’re a Techster or just a wannabe?Have you been to Manhattan,Ks.? Go there and take Team Bevo with
you and stay!!!!
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i am tired of hearing fair weather …what would make me think that Tech should win today? BE REALISTIC! IF they do…I will be happy…I guess your going t tell me that Tech will beat OU in Norman or be favored to beat Bevo when they come to tha Jones
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ROCK, CHOP, JAYHAWK !!!!!!!
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FYI- it’s “rock chalk, jayhawk.” Go get an education at KU before you try to insult more prestigious universities . Wreck ‘em Tech!
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Player 1972 said: “Most, if not all these fans, never played the game at your level and are clueless to what it takes rebuild a program.”
I very much agree with your comments. The haters have never accomplished one single thing in their entire pathetic lives and yet somehow feel qualified to judge those who are actually in the arena. Instead of hiding behind their keyboards, the haters should join the rest of us at the arena in supporting this team. Good fan support can add more W’s to the results.
RaiderBacker
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Nice win yesterday, Tech.
Now that you’ve got the monkey off your back, go & make a great showing against Kansas.
I don’t expect a win, but who knows? I was shocked to see Nebraska beat Missouri yesterday.
Whatever the outcome, playing the #1 team can only make us better for the future (hopefully a great NIT showing).
IF Tech somehow pulls off the upset, I want to see lots of apologies tomorrow from the detractor “fans.”
Go, Tech! (And while we’re at it–Go, Baylor! Humble UT some more!)
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We can forget about the NIT! A 4-12 conferece record with seven straight losses to end the regular season pretty much guarantees we’ll be staying home this post season.
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Hopefully Mike Singletary is excited to play Kansas as well. Another game like he had in Lawrence (0 pts) and it’ll be another KU blowout.
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Well said, RaiderBacker!
Hey no one was expecting them to beat Colorado yesterday, but they did it. Tech seems to step it up a notch for the Big 12 Tournament.
Go Raiders and wreck ‘em!
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“Techster” what a bunch of horse manure. Tech has had the talent in the past to compete, and will again. The following Tech players have gone on to play in the NBA:
Tony Battie
Cory Carr
Mark Anthony Davis
Andre Emmett
Darvin Ham
Geoff Huston
Paul Nolen
Jason Sasser
Jeff Taylor
Ronald Ross
Jarius Jackson
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i want to be optimistic but dang guys we are going to get spanked.
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Techster – Manhatten Kansas, Lawrence Kansas , Stillwater Oklahoma, etc. are not one iota above Lubbick.
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