23 Personnel

We start this week's mailbag with building the best ever Tech offense from players in Tech history (1 QB, 1 RB, 5 WR). We discuss which team had better position groups: 2017 or 2018. We talk about how the defense might fare without a key player or two. And finally, we discuss the hypothetical of giving up all other sports if it were to guarantee a national championship. 

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We rank our top three school cafeteria foods from elementary school. Michael had much more fond memories of cafeteria food growing growing up than Spencer did. We both listed the weird shapes of pizza we were served, but our other items were much different. 

After rewatching the Spring Football Game, Spencer noticed that the offensive line typically was pulling a lineman. We don't remember Tech doing this as often prior to this season, so this may be something new to watch for this season as Tech may be more heavily relying on the run game. 

Baseball won the series against OU and move up into second place in the conference. WIth series still remaining on the road against a depleted TCU team, home vs Texas, and on the road in Stillwater, Tech has their work cut out for them if they have plans on three-peating as Big 12 conference champs. 

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Seth hung around for the mailbag edition of this week's episode to answer some tough questions about the QB race, football position groups, best situation for Zhaire Smith, Chris Beard possibly putting pressure on Kingsbury to succeed and if Tech in '15/'16 would have had a bigger impact with Michael Crabtree on that team or if DeAndre Washington was on the '08 team.

Who is the favorite in the QB race heading into the fall? Is there a chance we'll be relying on our amazing defense to carry the football team through the fall to a bowl game?

Does the success that Beard has had with MBB put even more pressure on KK to produce this year or else?

What position group got you most excited about their future?

Which #NBA team/roster is best fit for Zhaire Smith?

Bigger impact: sophomore Crabtree on Mahomes '15 squad or senior DeAndre Washington on Harrell '08 squad? what's a college stadium/game that's on your bucket list to see?

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Seth C of StakingthePlains.com joins us to discuss Zhaire Smith announcing that he will be signing with an agent and officially declare for the NBA draft. We wish him nothing but success as he pursues dreams of playing in the Association. 

The baseball team took full advantage of poor teams and pitching these past four games as they plated 76 runs. Josh Jung, Grant Little, Cody Farhat, Michael Davis, Cameron Warren and Zach Rheams all mashed homeruns this weekend. Grant Little tied the school record for RBIs in a single game at 9, while Brian Klein tied the school record for runs scored. Josh Jung hit for the Red Raiders' first cycle since 2008 against New Mexico on Tuesday. 

Spring football came to an end with the spring game this past weekend. Seth, Michael, LaBarre and Spencer watched the game together and we discussed the positions we were most impressed and excited for. We think Tech will rely more on the defense and the run game this season rather than the QB and receivers. The Big 12 might not have the stellar QB play, which will help Tech break in a new QB and receiving core. 

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We don't know why LaBarre's food takes are such trash, but we talk about our favorite food condiments and how his are disgusting. It's easily hot sauce (not salsa) and homemade ranch. 

Brian asks what our favorite cooking tools are and we decided meat thermometers (Michael's is wireless - he boujy) and special pans. 

New Market Streets are opening with bars (beer, wine and chicken wings) and if we would consider moving to be closer to one - yes. 

What new restaurants are on our list and how we might need to make a visit to Durango's. 

There is an upcoming vote on the building formerly known as the City Bank Coliseum and how we both think Lubbock should drop and and Tech should build something, anything, in its place. Preferably something that doesn't lose $600,000 a year. 

And sports questions including if HCKK will wear sunglasses and a hat to his next indoor interview, how we can bring Gingery back for his senior season, how likely Zhaire is to leave Tech, and how the Tech baseball team might be able to three-peat as Big 12 champions (unlikely). 

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Michael is rejoining the kids this week as he purchased his first gaming console in a decade. 

Every week it feels like we say we're going to wrap up the basketball season, but news comes out every week that needs to be discussed. This week, the Chris Ogden to UTA deal was finalized and he was officially hired to lead their basketball program. We wish Coach Ogden the very best of luck. Zhaire Smith is still being projected to go in the first round of the NBA draft and we talk about how he's likely gone. Recruiting never stops for Beard and his staff as they picked up a commitment from one of the best graduate transfers out there in Tariq Owens. Owens is a very versatile big man and we think he'll fit right in with what Beard is trying to build at Tech. 

The baseball team wraps up their 4-game road trip in Dallas against DBU. The umpires unfortunately take over the game and gift DBU two runs to help them take the lead. Tensions boiled over and Tim Tadlock is ejected, as well as Cody Masters. Over the weekend, it appears Kansas was unwilling to move the games at all to try to take advantage of Tech's record of struggling to play in cold and wet conditions. They're home this weekend against Kansas State and honestly should be expecting to sweep Purple Kansas. 

The football team is wrapping up spring practice this weekend with their final open practice/scrimmage, this time in Lubbock under the lights. Readers of Staking the Plains and listeners to the podcast will be meeting up in section 3, row 25ish to take in the spring game and discuss what our beloved Red Raider football team is doing on the field. If you know of any or are hosting a tailgate, be sure to let everyone know where you'll be so we can party together. 

A special mailbag episode will drop separately, so enjoy the "short" episode. 

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Hunter Cooke of DieHards.com joins for a lengthy conversation that moves from special occasion meals, to wrapping up the basketball season, football questions, baseball concerns, and fast food limited time offers. 

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Is drinking unsweet tea the most unTexan thing you can do? Or is it liking Pepsi? What about NOT hating on New Mexico?

Unfortnately, the basketball season ended with the Red Raiders being elimated in the Elite Eight matchup versus Villanova. Both Spencer and Michael think Nova is the best team left and will likely win the national championship. Keenan Evans reveals he actually broke his toe in the game against Baylor and was playing through the pain. Is Keenan Evans the best basketball player of all-time for Texas Tech? The answer is more difficult than you would think. 

The football team had an open practice/scrimmage in Midland this past Saturday, but the news didn't end there. Four players were arrested Sunday morning after an incident at Bash Riprocks. The players are still on the team but have been suspended indeifnitely. This certainly makes the battle for the starting QB position interesting, especially the longer the suspension is to last. 

The baseball team had a bounce back weekend as they hosted Northeastern and swept them in four games. The offense scored nearly 60 runs on the #8 RPI team. Conference play resumes this weekend in Lubbock as West Virginia comes to town. By the end of the weekend, the baseball season will be halfway over. 

We have a couple of listener questions, like whether we would put chips on sandwiches and if we're team breakfast burrito or team breakfast taco. 

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Chris Beard defeats Purdue...AGAIN. Beard was the coach at Arkansas-Little Rock when they knocked out the Boilermakers in a 12-over-5 upset.  

Texas Tech advances to the Elite Eight for the first time in school history. Tech takes down Purdue 78-65 in pretty convincing fashion. Tech got to a 5-point halftime lead and never let up. The Red Raiders closed the first half on a 10-0 run and kept the pressure on Purdue the entire second half. 

Justin Gray was HUGE in this game, scoring 12 points and grabbing 7 boards. Keenan Evans played a solid game, scored a little under his season average but 3 other Red Raiders scored in double figures around him. Such an impressive win all the way around. These guys are making history, getting hot and riding momentum in the right direction at the right time. 

Texas Tech is set to take on Villanova on Sunday at 1:20 p.m. for a shot to advance to the Final Four in San Antonio. 

 

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A new barbecue place opened recently in the 806 and we grabbed lunch there to give it a try. Green chiles were everywhere, meat was decent. Our verdict was that it was OK but there are some other pretty fine joints in town to get the 'cue. There was also some discussion on what needs sauce and what doesn't and who makes the best sauces (Whataburger, obviously). 

Texas Tech opened the NCAA tournament with wins over Stephen F Austin and Florida. Both games saw exciting plays from guards Keenan Evans and Zhaire Smith (who might be leaving after this season). Smith flying through the air for 360 dunks and alley oops are just things of beauty. 

Tech is getting ready to face Purdue in Boston in the Sweet Sixteen. The Boilermakers may be without their senior big man, Isaac Haas. He broke his elbow in the first round against CSU Fullerton and nearly gave it a go in the round of 32 game. His brace was disallowed by the NCAA and it's unlikely he will play again this season. Good news for Purdue is they have another big man backing up Haas, Matt Haarms. 

The baseball team wrapped up a vicious road trip in Waco to open Big 12 play and dropped the series to the Bears. The Red Raiders went 3-5 over the 8-game trip and look to bounce back against Northeastern this weekend. 

Spring football is still chugging along with an interesting battle at quarterback. Jett Duffey needs more reps and McLane Carter needs to cut down on his turnovers. Inside receiver and defensive back has great depth, but lots of unknown guys filling out the roster there. Defensive tackle is as deep as it's ever been. We're really looking forward to getting to watch a spring practice in person. 

Finally, we learned this week that Spencer is not much for camping for too long and that the OU band will play Boomer Sooner if it's the last thing they ever do. 

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