LUBBOCK, Texas – The Carson Cunningham era begins at the University of the Incarnate Word on Tuesday, as the men's basketball team meets the Texas Tech Red Raiders at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Tip off time will be 6:30 p.m. (CT).
TIPOFF COVERAGE
SERIES HISTORY
Texas Tech won the only previous meeting between the two teams, by a score of 69-48 on Nov. 30, 2016 in Lubbock.
RETURNING LETTER WINNERS
- UIW returns six letter winners from a squad that posted records of 7-21 overall and 2-16 in the Southland Conference last year.
- Charles Brown III, the only senior on this year's team, leads the returning players in 10 of 11 statistical categories: points per game (13.5), rebounds per game (5.2), blocked shots, steals, field goals, field goal percentage, three-pointers, three-point field goal percentage, free throws, and minutes played.
- Sophomore Cody Graham led last year's team in assists with 2.5 per game.
- Junior Jorden Kite (3.2 points per game) and sophomores Keaton Hervey (8.0), Christian Peevy (7.8) and Augustine Ene (3.2), comprise the other letter winners who return to the team.
YOUTH MOVEMENT
- One senior, two juniors, four sophomores, and eight true freshmen make up this year's Cardinals roster. One of the juniors, Des Balentine, is a junior college transfer.
THE CARSON CUNNINGHAM ERA BEGINS
- When Dr. Carson Cunningham took over the head coaching duties at Carroll College of Helena, Mont. five years ago, he inherited a team that had won only two games during the preceding season.
- That first year, his Fighting Saints won nine games. Four winning seasons followed, capped by three straight trips to the NAIA championship tournament.
- Two of those seasons resulted in Final Eight appearances.
- Cunningham's five years at Carroll produced a won-loss record of 107-52 (.673). He reached the 100-win plateau sooner than any other coach in school history, hitting that mark in just 150 games.
- For three consecutive years from 2015-18, Cunningham's team led all NAIA D-1 schools in both field goal and free throw percentage.
COACH CUNNINGHAM SAYS
"Lubbock is the birthplace of Buddy Holly, so naturally we're excited to the get the season rocking and rolling there. Of course, Texas Tech, which ran to the Elite Eight last year, presents a mighty challenge. We're looking forward to giving it all we've got, and we're grateful for the opportunity to test ourselves versus the Red Raiders."
DAUNTING SCHEDULE
Texas Tech is possibly the best of thirteen Cardinal opponents this year who saw action in post-season tournaments last season. When repeat games against conference opponents are counted, some 17 of 31 contests will pit UIW against teams that played in either the NCAA, NIT, CBI or CIT tournaments.
SCOUTING TEXAS TECH
- Long-time Cardinal fans will recognize a familiar face in Red Raiders' head coach Chris Beard, who was a graduate assistant coach at UIW under head coach Danny Kaspar in 1995-96.
- Last year, in Beard's second at Texas Tech, the Red Raiders achieved their deepest run into the NCAA Tournament, reaching the Elite Eight. They fell to eventual champion Villanova.
- Although Tech lost Zhaire Smith to the NBA, many consider returnee Jarrett Culver to have equal potential.
- Despite returning seven players to a squad that won 27 games and finished ranked No. 6 in the USA Today Coaches Poll, the Red Raiders were picked seventh in the Big 12 Conference's pre-season poll.
NEXT UP
The Cardinals return to San Antonio for Friday night's home opener against St. Francis of Illinois, a member of the Chicagoland Athletic Conference -- a homestand that will feature three games in four nights. UIW hosts the University of Texas at Tyler on Saturday and Texas Lutheran on Monday. All three games tip off at 7 p.m. (CT).
STAY TUNED
For the most up-to-date information on UIW Athletics, visit
uiwcardinals.com, follow the Cardinals on Twitter @UIWAthletics
