BAYLOR (0-0, 0-0) at TEXAS TECH (8-7, 0-1)
Jan. 11, 2006 - United Spirit Arena (Lubbock, Texas) - 7:00 p.m. CST

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RADIO: Baylor/ISP Sports Radio Network (ESPN/KRZI 1660AM Waco / WBAP 820 AM Dallas)
INTERNET AUDIO: live broadcast at BaylorBears.com
TELEVISION: Texas Tech Television Network (Time Warner Cable channel 16 in Waco/Temple)
INTERNET VIDEO: none
LIVE STATS:

THE GAME
Baylor opens its 100th season of basketball and concludes the longest preseason practice period in NCAA history when it faces Texas Tech Wednesday, Jan. 11, in Lubbock. Tipoff at the United Spirit Arena is 7 p.m. CST and the game will be telecast live on the Texas Tech Television Network (Time Warner channel 16 in Waco/Temple/Bryan). The Bears (0-0, 0-0) have yet to play this season due to NCAA sanctions brought on by the previous coaching staff. The young Bears, with six freshmen, have been practicing for the last 89 days. Texas Tech (8-7, 0-1) is coming off a 63-55 loss at Texas A&M Saturday. The Bears have lost seven straight games in Lubbock.

BAYLOR TIP-INS
- Wednesday's season-opener at Tech marks 89 days since Baylor started practice and 307 days since the Bears' last game.
- Aaron Bruce is the top returning scorer in the Big 12 entering this year (18.2 ppg).
- Baylor return's 93 percent of its scoring and 90 percent of its rebounding from last year's squad, which was the least experienced team in the nation.
- Baylor has lost 14 straight games, its longest losing steak since dropping 17 straight to close the 1998-99 season.
- Tim Bush (83.3%) & Aaron Bruce (82.8%) are in the Big 12's Top 10 career free throw list.
- For the 3rd straight season BU is playing without its full allotment of scholarships (12 available, 10 filled).
- Baylor has dressed 7 or fewer scholarship players for 57 straight games [17-40 record] (since final game of 2002-2003 season).
- Underclassmen led Baylor in scoring in 26 of 28 games last season.
- Baylor's roster includes 6 freshmen, more than any other Big 12 team.
- 114 of Kevis Shipman's 134 career points (85%) are from 3-pointers (38).
- Baylor is 11-1 when scoring 70+ points (in Drew Era; 2 seasons).
- Aaron Bruce has made a 3-pointer in 25 straight games dating to last season (2nd-longest streak in school history - Tevis Stukes hit a 3 in all 29 games of 1999-2000).
- BU is 1-29 when allowing opponents to shoot 50% or higher (in 2 years under Drew).
- Over the past five seasons Baylor is 51-3 when totaling an equal or higher shooting percentage than its opponent (8-0 last season).
- Baylor teams have made at least one 3-point basket in 406 straight games.
- Baylor will play a minimum of 17 games this season. The last time BU played fewer than 21 games was 1944-45 (0-17).
- Baylor's 4 returning starters is the school's most in 9 seasons (`96-97, 18-12 record).

HEAD COACH Scott Drew
Scott Drew is in his third season of the massive rebuilding project he undertook at Baylor and owns a two-year mark of 17-40 and a career record of 37-51 (3 seasons). Drew spent 10 seasons at Valparaiso, the last as head coach after nine seasons as an assistant to his father Homer. During his decade at Valpo, the Crusaders earned six NCAA Tournament berths, including five straight from 1996-2000. An outstanding recruiter, Drew is responsible for four national Top-20 recruiting classes over the last seven years (No. 17 in 2005 and No. 10 in 2004 at Baylor; No. 6 in 2001 and No. 13 in 1999 at Valpo). He was named the 1998-99 National Recruiter of the Year by Court Vision.

THE TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS
Texas Tech (8-7, 0-1) is led by fifth-year head coach Bobby Knight, in his 40th year as a collegiate head coach. Knight owns a career record of 862-340 and an 98-51 mark at Tech. He is the winningest active coach in Division I men's basketball.

TECH NOTES: The Red Raiders are 7-1 at home this season... Tech is led by junior G Jarrius Jackson, who averages 18.8 points and 3.3 assists a game... The Raiders are the Big 12's top 3-point shooting squad, shooting 39 percent from long range... Jackson leads the conference in free throw percentage (83.3%) and minutes played (3.70 mpg).

THE TEXAS TECH SERIES
The Bears and Red Raiders meet for the 111th time Wednesday, and Texas Tech holds a 71-39 series advantage. Tech has won eight of the last nine meetings, and the last seven straight in Lubbock. Tech leads the series 40-11 all-time at home.

UNPRECEDENTED LAYOFF
When Baylor opens its season Wednesday it will have been...
•...89 days since the start of practice on Oct. 15, 2005
•...307 days since its last game - March 10, 2005 vs. Iowa State in Big 12 Tournament

HALF A SEASON
Due to NCAA sanctions brought on by the previous coaching staff, Baylor did not play any regular-season non-conference games this season (unprecedented in modern-day college basketball). Baylor will play a minimum of 17 games this season (16-game Big 12 schedule plus at least one game in Big 12 Championship). The last time the Bears played fewer than 21 games in a season was 1944-45, when Baylor finished 0-17. [NOTE: Baylor is eligible for postseason play]

VERY YOUNG SQUAD
Baylor has six freshmen on its opening-day roster (5 true, 1 redshirt), the school's highest such total in 28 years (7 frosh on '78-79 squad) and the most of any Big 12 team. Baylor's roster boasts two seniors, two juniors, three sophomores and six freshmen.

MORE BRUCE ALMIGHTY
The Bears will once again be led by sophomore guard Aaron Bruce, coming off a sensational rookie year in which he led the nation's freshmen in scoring and earned All-Big 12 and Freshman All-American accolades. Bruce, an All-America and Big 12 Player of the Year candidate, is the league's leading returning scorer (18.2 ppg). He spent the summer leading his country as captain of the under-21 Australian national team. Baylor coaches expect his overall play to improve in 2005-2006 with the increase in talent level of his teammates.

100th SEASON OF BASKETBALL
The 2005-2006 season marks the 100th season of collegiate basketball at Baylor. Baylor's Centennial, which is presented by H-E-B, will be celebrated by a season-long series of events, culminating with a basketball lettermen reunion the weekend of Feb. 24-25. The highlight of the weekend's events will be the announcing and honoring of the 15-man Baylor All-Centennial Team during the Bears home game vs. Iowa State Saturday, Feb. 25. Baylor basketball officially began in 1906-07 with a seven-man squad that won its first two games and finished 5-6. The Bears' storied history includes Final Four appearances in 1948 and 1950, a national runner-up finish in 1948, five conference championships as well as the heroic tragedy of the 1927 Immortal Ten team.

ALL-CENTENNIAL TEAM
Baylor's season-long series of Centennial events is highlighted by the selection of an All-Centennial Team. The team, selected by a combined fan vote and expert panel, will represent the 15 greatest players in Baylor basketball history. Baylor fans can vote online at www.BaylorBears.com and at Central Texas H-E-B stores. Additionally, ballots will be published in the Waco Tribune-Herald and available at Ferrell Center voting booths during Baylor's men's games. Voting will conclude Feb. 1 and the team will be unveiled and honored during the Bears home game vs. Iowa State Saturday, Feb. 25.

PRESEASON HONORS
Aaron Bruce is rated the eighth-best point guard nationally by CBSSportsline.com and No. 12 in Lindy's preseason publication and is also honored with the league's "Best Instincts" by Street & Smith's magazine. The sophomore was also projected an All-Big 12 honoree by Lindy's and Athlon. Baylor freshman Kevin Rogers was named the Big 12's "No. 1 Signing Coup" by Lindy's and Rivals, as well as being tabbed a "Top 100 College Freshman by Street & Smith's.

A SHORT STICK
For the third straight year, Baylor enters the season without its full allotment of scholarships. The Bears have 12 available scholarships (only 10 filled). Baylor has dressed seven or fewer scholarship players in each of the last two seasons (57 straight games).

SWANSON'S SENIOR EXPERIENCE A RARITY
Fourth-year senior Tommy Swanson enters the 2005-2006 season as not only the most experienced member of the Bear squad - he's also a rare veteran in Baylor's recent basketball history. This winter Swanson becomes just the second BU player in the last six years to enter his senior season with more than 60 career games played as a Bear (Swanson 73 GP; former teammate Matt Sayman had 89).

BEARS RETURN RARE EXPERIENCE
Baylor returns four starters (Aaron Bruce, Tim Bush, Richard Hurd and Tommy Swanson) and seven lettermen (four starters plus Patrick Fields, Mark Shepherd and Kevis Shipman) from last year's young and inexperienced squad that finished 9-19. The four returning starters is the highest total for a Bear team since 1996-1997, when head coach Harry Miller returned four starters from a 9-18 squad and finished 18-12 in the first season of the Big 12 Conference. The 2005-2006 Bears return 93 percent of last season's scoring and 90 percent of their rebounding.

BEARS REACH NEW HEIGHTS... LITERALLY
Unlike last season when Baylor's roster had a noticeable lack of height - with only two players taller than 6-6 (one a walk-on) - the 2005-2006 roster boasts five such players: Kevin Rogers (6-9), Mark Shepherd (6-9), Tommy Swanson (6-10), Jari Vanttaja (6-10) and Mamadou Diene (7-0).

TOP FREE THROW SHOOTING
Baylor boasts the top two returning free throw shooters in the Big 12 Conference in 2005-2006. Tim Bush ranked second in the league last season with an 83.3 percent ratio and teammate Aaron Bruce placed third in the conference at 82.8 percent. As a team, Baylor ranked third in the Big 12 with a 69.8 free throw percentage.

INTERNATIONAL ROSTER
Baylor's 13-man 2005-2006 roster boasts 10 Americans and three players from overseas. The three, all signed by Scott Drew in the last two years, include sophomore Aaron Bruce (native of Australia), redshirt freshman Mamadou Diene (native of Senegal) and freshman Jari Vanttaja (native of Finland).

DEPARTED PLAYERS
Baylor lost four lettermen from it's 2004-05 roster: three walk-on guards (freshman Hall Henderson, sophomore Turner Phipps and senior Ryan Pryor) and sophomore guard Roscoe Biggers.

WINLESS STREAK
The Bears lost the final 14 games of the 2004-05 season, the school's longest losing streak since the 1998-99 Baylor squad lost its final 17 games (finished 0-16 in Big 12, Harry Miller's final season).

THE LAST MEETING: TEXAS TECH 72 - BAYLOR 66 [March 2, 2005]
Texas Tech shot 61 percent from the floor and held off a late Baylor rally to defeat the Bears 72-66 at the Ferrell Center. Baylor's Aaron Bruce scored a game-high 19 points and suffered a hand injury in the final minutes when he was slapped on a jump shot. In his first game back from a two-game absence due to injury, Tommy Swanson totaled 15 points, five rebounds and two blocks. Tech took a 69-60 lead on a Ronald Ross basket with 3:13 to go, but jumpers by Tim Bush and Bruce and a layup by Swanson cut the lead to 69-66 with 2 minutes remaining. Swanson then took a charge to give Baylor possession, but Patrick Fields was called for traveling at 1:34. Baylor forced the Raiders into a shot clock violation, but missed another chance to tie when Bruce turned the ball over. Bruce missed two late 3-point attempts and Tech hit three-of-four free throws to finish the scoring. The loss was Baylor's 12th straight, and the win was the 850th career victory for Tech's Bob Knight.

PLENTY OF NEWCOMERS
Baylor's 2005-2006 roster lists five newcomers and a redshirt who has yet to dress for a game. The six rookies include five true freshmen [Henry Dugat, Curtis Jerrells, Kevin Rogers, Carl Sims and Jari Vanttaja] and one redshirt freshman [Mamadou Diene].

RECRUITING CLASS RATED 11th NATIONALLY
Baylor's 2005 signee class was rated the nation's 11th-best class by Rivals and No. 17 according to HoopScoop. The class includes three national Top-100 freshmen and a top international signee. The signees include four prep seniors, Henry Dugat of Dayton (Texas) High School, Curtis Jerrells of Del Valle High School in Austin, Texas and Kevin Rogers of South Oak Cliff High School in Dallas; as well as Jari Vanttaja of Oulu, Finland.

BIG 12 10th ANNIVERSARY VOTING NOW OPEN
The Big 12 is celebrating its 10th anniversary this season and is selecting special teams to honor the top players in the first nine years of the conference. Followers of the Big 12 can vote for the top five men's basketball players in league annals by visiting the conference web site at www.big12sports.com/10th-anniversary/. Winners will be announced live on the ESPN Plus Studio 66 halftime show in early February.

BAYLOR'S EARLY SIGNING CLASS RATED 21st NATIONALLY
Baylor's two-man early signing class was rated 21st nationally by Rivals.com, the second-highest national ranking for a class of two or fewer players. The signees include two consensus Top 100 recruits, guard Demond "Tweety" Carter and center Josh Lomers. Carter, a 5-10 point guard for Reserve Christian from LaPlace, La., is one of the most prolific scorers in high school basketball history. His national rankings include No. 45 HoopScoop, No. 47 CSTV.com, No. 61 Rivals.com, No. 82 Hoopmasters and No. 87 Scout.com. Carter is rated a Top-10 point guard recruit nationally by both Rivals.com and Hoopmasters. Carter, whose nickname is "Tweety," has scored more than 6,000 career points and been a varsity starter since the seventh grade. He is a four-time all-state selection and has led Reserve Christian to three state championships, including the school's first-ever title in 2002 as an eighth grader when he was honored as the tournament MVP. Lomers is rated the No. 6 center nationally by Rivals.com. Overall he is rated nationally by CSTV.com (No. 39), Rivals.com (No. 43), Hoopmasters (No. 64), and Scout.com (No. 88). Lomers is also the third-rated recruit in Texas according to Rivals.com. A 7-foot, 1-inch center, Lomers plays for Boerne (Texas) High School and was named to the 2005 TABC 4A All-State team as a junior last season after averaging 22 points, 10.3 rebounds and 7 blocks per game at Boerne.

BAYLOR EARLY SIGNEES:Name    Pos.    Ht. Wt. Yr. Hometown (Schools)Demond "Tweety" Carter  G   5-10    170 Fr. LaPlace, La. (Reserve Christian School)Josh Lomers C   7-1 250 Fr. Boerne, Texas (Boerne HS)

OVER THE AIR
Bear basketball games are aired live on the Baylor Radio Network and flagship station 1660AM ESPN Radio (KRZI) in Waco. Selected games are broadcast on Dallas-Fort Worth affiliate WBAP 820AM, which covers 80 percent of the nation and reaches 38 states during night games. All Baylor games are broadcast by the "Voice of the Bears" John Morris, a veteran broadcaster in his 11th season, and former Baylor basketball standout Pat Nunley, in his 24th season as color analyst.

INSIDE BAYLOR SPORTS TV SHOW
Inside Baylor Sports, a half-hour wrap-up of Baylor athletics, airs weekly throughout the Southwest. The program, co-hosted by John Morris and Lori Scott-Fogleman, airs on KCEN-TV (Sundays at 10:30 p.m.), FSN Southwest (Wednesdays at 1 p.m) and CSTV. All shows are archived online at BaylorBears.com and BaylorTV.com.

NEXT UP...
Baylor returns home to Waco for its home opener Saturday, Jan. 14. The Bears will host Oklahoma State at 3 p.m. CST at the Ferrell Center. The game will be televised live via ESPN+Plus syndicated stations (KCEN in Waco/Temple/Bryan).