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Texas hosts Texas Tech without Knight

Feb 25, 2009 - 11:24 AM Texas Tech (12-15) at No. 24 Texas (18-8) 9:30 p.m. EST

AUSTIN, Texas (Ticker) -- Without a win on the road and at the bottom of the Big 12 standings, Texas Tech could ill afford to be shorthanded entering Wednesday's contest against No. 24 Texas.

While the Red Raiders (12-15, 2-10 Big 12) should be at full strength on the court, they will not be on the sidelines as coach Pat Knight serves a one-game suspension for comments made about the officiating during Saturday's 79-73 loss to Texas A&M.

Associate Head Coach Chris Beard will coach in place of Knight, who seems to be following in the volatile footsteps of his father, Bob, who had several of his own disciplinary problems during his legendary coaching career.

It was the second high-profile incident of the season for Knight. He was not reprimanded for his antics during an 82-69 loss to Nebraska on January 31.

Texas Tech has lost four in a row, eight of nine and will be in search of its first victory in Austin in 13 tries.

The Longhorns (18-8, 7-5) are back in the Top 25 following Saturday's 73-68 win over Oklahoma, which played most of the game without star Blake Griffin because of a concussion.

Damion James had a double-double for the third straight game and the sixth time in his last eight games with 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Longhorns, winners of three of four after a three-game losing streak dropped them out of the rankings.

Gary Johnson, who averages 11.3 points and 5.8 boards per contest, is questionable for the matchup with the in-state rival with a left ankle injury.