NCAA TOURNAMENT : Texas Tech Guard Knows About Life and Death--and This Isn’t It

The days pass, but the pain doesn’t. Jason Martin doubts that will change, and he’s not sure he wants it to.

For everything good happening to Martin, happiness eludes him.

He can’t really revel in starting for Texas Tech, which is playing in its first Sweet 16 since 1976. He can’t completely enjoy his status among the nation’s premier senior point guards or that he finally found a home with the Red Raiders after a lengthy search.

Martin, a former standout at Manual Arts High, can’t because he won’t. The death of his brother, Todd, last year is never far from his thoughts.

But he says his brother’s memory also gives him strength, and the Red Raiders are the beneficiaries. Martin will direct the offense for third-seeded Texas Tech (30-1) today against second-seeded Georgetown (28-7) in an East Regional semifinal at the Georgia Dome.

“I dedicated the season to my brother,” Martin said. “He was my best friend, and losing him was the worst experience of my life.”

Todd died March 17, 1995, after a yearlong battle with kidney problems and cancer, Martin said. He was 27.

Exactly a year after his death, Texas Tech played North Carolina in the biggest game in school history. Despite owning an impressive record and winning both the final Southwest Conference regular-season and tournament titles, the Red Raiders still craved national attention.

Defeating the Tar Heels, 92-73, brought a substantial share. Martin ran the offense well, playing one of his best games this season with 10 assists and only one turnover.

“I think about him all the time,” Martin said. “He was especially on my mind that day. That was one of the key things on my mind.”

Jason and Todd were inseparable while growing up. Jason quickly realized he could rely on his older brother, who didn’t even mind his tagging along.

“He’s was my only friend when I was really young,” Martin said. “He was my first friend.”

Todd became seriously ill while Jason prepared to play in last season’s SWC tournament. He wanted to return home to Inglewood to be with his brother, but his mother encouraged him to stay in school.

“He wasn’t feeling well when I went away to Texas Tech [at the beginning of the school year],” Martin said. “When I came back once during the year, he was feeling good. When he got sick again, my mom told me not to worry . . . that things would be OK.

“That really puts real life in perspective. It shows you that [the NCAA tournament] isn’t life and death--not even close.”

Martin, 22, averaged 16 points and 12 assists as a senior at Manual Arts. But his grades were too poor to earn a scholarship.

“Not even close,” he said. “I knew I would have to go to a [community college]. I wasn’t fooling myself.”

Martin attended the College of Eastern Utah and averaged 18.6 points and 7.6 assists as a sophomore. He left for Washington State, but that didn’t last long.

“It just wasn’t the right situation for me,” he said.

He transferred to Texas Tech and became a starter last season. He averaged 5.2 points and 4.5 assists, and was selected to the SWC All-Newcomer team. This season, Martin (5 feet 10 and 175 pounds) finished second in the conference in assists at 5.8. He averaged 5.1 points. He was selected second-team All-SWC.

“He’s a great floor leader--he’s a floor general,” star forward Jason Sasser said. “He never turns the ball over, and that’s what you want from a point guard.”

The Texas Tech offense revolves around Martin’s decision-making. He has committed only 50turnovers and needs 15 assists to set the single-season school record (194).

“He’s done a great job of running their team,” Georgetown Coach John Thompson said. “He gets the basketball out to the people who need to get the basketball.”

Texas Tech forward-center Darvin Ham agrees with Thompson. He doesn’t know if the Red Raiders would be where they are without Martin--and he’s glad he didn’t have to find out.

“He’s been the difference on this team,” Ham said. “His play has been unbelievable, and I’m grateful because most of my slams come from him.”