The 2018-19 Texas Tech basketball team will be no stranger to neutral site games by the time Big 12 play rolls around next month. The team is heading to Miami early tomorrow to take on Memphis this Saturday. Last week, the Red Raiders were in Kansas City for the Hall of Fame Classic, and the team will play Duke in New York City in December. I have been asked a few times about future neutral site matchups for Texas Tech and here is what I’ve been able to come up with.
… The MTE (Multi Team Events) deal has become quite the cottage industry and they are great RPI opportunities for programs. Everyone tries to get into these, but the events are careful about who they invite – they weigh factors such as ticket sales and TV appeal.
… Next season, it looks like the Red Raiders will head to Las Vegas during Thanksgiving week as part of the Las Vegas Invitational. I think this deal is pretty much done, too. The other teams involved are Creighton, San Diego State and Iowa. Texas Tech would play two of them. The Red Raiders played in the December version of this a few years ago against Houston and Loyola-Chicago. It would be located at the Orleans arena just off of the Las Vegas strip and these games would all be televised by FOX
… In 2020-21, Texas Tech is headed back to Brooklyn. The team will take part in the Preseason NIT at the Barclays Center during the week of Thanksgiving. This is also a two-game event. I think one team is still to be determined but Arizona and St. John’s are slated to be there as well. These games would all be televised by ESPN.
… In 2021-22, I think the Red Raiders could end up competing in the Battle for Atlantis. This event could also be in play for 2023-24. I would bet the Red Raiders are in it in one of those two seasons.
… In 2022-23, I think it all points toward Texas Tech being included in the Maui Invitational which would be held over the week of Thanksgiving and is televised on ESPN. I’m not sure on teams yet since its so far out but I believe the Red Raiders have an invitation. I think this is likely.
… The only other event that I’m aware of is the Jamaica Classic. This invite has been extended to Texas Tech and I bet you’ll see the Red Raiders in this event in either 2021 or 2023, depending on the Atlantis event.
… One last thing. The Disney Classic wanted Texas Tech last year, but I think the sense was that Las Vegas was a better fit for the fanbase.
… The MTE (Multi Team Events) deal has become quite the cottage industry and they are great RPI opportunities for programs. Everyone tries to get into these, but the events are careful about who they invite – they weigh factors such as ticket sales and TV appeal.
… Next season, it looks like the Red Raiders will head to Las Vegas during Thanksgiving week as part of the Las Vegas Invitational. I think this deal is pretty much done, too. The other teams involved are Creighton, San Diego State and Iowa. Texas Tech would play two of them. The Red Raiders played in the December version of this a few years ago against Houston and Loyola-Chicago. It would be located at the Orleans arena just off of the Las Vegas strip and these games would all be televised by FOX
… In 2020-21, Texas Tech is headed back to Brooklyn. The team will take part in the Preseason NIT at the Barclays Center during the week of Thanksgiving. This is also a two-game event. I think one team is still to be determined but Arizona and St. John’s are slated to be there as well. These games would all be televised by ESPN.
… In 2021-22, I think the Red Raiders could end up competing in the Battle for Atlantis. This event could also be in play for 2023-24. I would bet the Red Raiders are in it in one of those two seasons.
… In 2022-23, I think it all points toward Texas Tech being included in the Maui Invitational which would be held over the week of Thanksgiving and is televised on ESPN. I’m not sure on teams yet since its so far out but I believe the Red Raiders have an invitation. I think this is likely.
… The only other event that I’m aware of is the Jamaica Classic. This invite has been extended to Texas Tech and I bet you’ll see the Red Raiders in this event in either 2021 or 2023, depending on the Atlantis event.
… One last thing. The Disney Classic wanted Texas Tech last year, but I think the sense was that Las Vegas was a better fit for the fanbase.
