Brad Tollefson

Professional Photojournalist

You are here: Home / Blog / Texas Tech Final Four Basketball Practice 2019

Texas Tech Final Four Basketball Practice 2019

by Leave a Comment

For the first time in school history, the Texas Tech men’s basketball team traveled to compete in the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament. After defeating Gonzaga in the Elite Eight, the Red Raiders prepared to meet Michigan State on the court in Minneapolis.

So far this has been an incredible experience getting to meet local and national photographers from around the country. Many of them have been covering the tournament for multiple decades.

While all four remaining teams practiced and had interviews today, I focused my attention on Texas Tech while they were in the building.

The Final Four logo on the court Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
The Final Four logo on the court Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]

Interviews

Before practice began, the athletes and coaching were available for interviews with the media. The day before we arrived, Chris Beard was named the AP National Coach of the Year.

Texas Tech coach Chris Beard was named the AP National Coach of the Year.
Texas Tech's Kyler Edwards (0) talks to the media during locker room interviews before the Final Four game against Michigan State, Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Texas Tech’s Kyler Edwards (0) talks to the media during locker room interviews before the Final Four game against Michigan State, Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Texas Tech's Andrew Sorrells (30) talks to the media during locker room interviews before the Final Four game against Michigan State, Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Texas Tech’s Andrew Sorrells (30) talks to the media during locker room interviews before the Final Four game against Michigan State, Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Texas Tech players talk to the media during locker room interviews before the Final Four game against Michigan State, Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Texas Tech players talk to the media during locker room interviews before the Final Four game against Michigan State, Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. Media members from across the country and overseas gathered to report on the final games. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Texas Tech's Brandone Francis (1) talks to the media during locker room interviews before the Final Four game against Michigan State, Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Texas Tech’s Brandone Francis (1) talks to the media during locker room interviews before the Final Four game against Michigan State, Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]

Practice

Texas Tech players and coaches huddle together during practice before the Final Four game against Michigan State, Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Texas Tech players and coaches huddle together during practice before the Final Four game against Michigan State, Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Texas Tech's Davide Moretti (25) dribbles a pair of balls during practice before the Final Four game against Michigan State, Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Texas Tech’s Davide Moretti (25) dribbles a pair of balls during practice before the Final Four game against Michigan State, Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Texas Tech's Matt Mooney (13) shoots the ball over assistant Ronald Ross during practice before the Final Four game against Michigan State, Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Texas Tech’s Matt Mooney (13) shoots the ball over assistant Ronald Ross during practice before the Final Four game against Michigan State, Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Texas Tech's Norense Odiase (32) dunks the ball during practice before the Final Four game against Michigan State, Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Texas Tech’s Norense Odiase (32) dunks the ball during practice before the Final Four game against Michigan State, Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Texas Tech assistant coach Mark Adams hits Norense Odiase (32) with a pool noodle during practice before the Final Four game against Michigan State, Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Texas Tech assistant coach Mark Adams hits Norense Odiase (32) with a pool noodle during practice before the Final Four game against Michigan State, Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Texas Tech's Matt Mooney (13) shoots the ball during practice before the Final Four game against Michigan State, Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Texas Tech’s Matt Mooney (13) shoots the ball during practice before the Final Four game against Michigan State, Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Texas Tech players run through drills during practice before the Final Four game against Michigan State, Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Texas Tech players run through drills during practice before the Final Four game against Michigan State, Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]

One storyline for the games at this level is a player’s ability to make shots in a stadium holding four to six times as many people as their home court.

Texas Tech players run through drills during practice before the Final Four game against Michigan State, Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Texas Tech players run through drills during practice before the Final Four game against Michigan State, Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Texas Tech's Deshawn Corprew (3) shoots the ball during practice before the Final Four game against Michigan State, Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Texas Tech’s Deshawn Corprew (3) shoots the ball during practice before the Final Four game against Michigan State, Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]

Post Practice

At the end of practice, assistants will have one-on-one matchups against each other. Additionally, they will throw t-shirts to fans in the stands. And autograph memorabilia for fans as well.

Texas Tech assistant Ronald Ross dribbles the ball around assistant Matt Temple during practice before the Final Four game against Michigan State, Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Texas Tech assistant Ronald Ross dribbles the ball around assistant Matt Temple during practice before the Final Four game against Michigan State, Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Texas Tech's Brandone Francis (1) throws a t-shirt to the crowd during practice before the Final Four game against Michigan State, Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Texas Tech’s Brandone Francis (1) throws a t-shirt to the crowd during practice before the Final Four game against Michigan State, Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Fans fight for a Texas Tech t-shirt during practice before the Final Four game against Michigan State, Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Fans fight for a Texas Tech t-shirt during practice before the Final Four game against Michigan State, Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]

Final Four Artwork

All around the stadium, there is artwork displaying the logos and artwork of the Final Four, brackets, trophies and schools. Particularly, the main logo vaguely resembled the shape of the state of Minneapolis.

Final Four art on the wall at the stadium Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Final Four art on the wall at the stadium Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
The national championship trophy on the bottom of the scoreboard Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
An image of the national championship trophy on the bottom of the scoreboard Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
The Final Four logo on the back of a chair Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
The Final Four logo on the back of a chair Friday, April 5, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. [Brad Tollefson/A-J Media]
Texas Tech coach Chris Beard talks about Michigan State’s defense before the game against the Spartans.

Also, go check out the slideshow of photos from practice over at the A-J.