Texas Tech 71, Sam Houston State 56
* The Flex is a shout-out to Tubby Smith’s flex offense and a place for us to set some screens, make some cuts and discuss the game.
- Sam Houston State was a bit tougher than expected, but it was still a 15 point win for Texas Tech, especially considering SHSU went to a zone in the second half and really slowed down the game and the possessions. I think it got within 10 points at some point in the second half, and then Texas Tech pretty much extended their lead and kept it to 15 points through the end.
- The player of the game could have been a handful of players as four of the five starters scored in double-figures, but I’ll go with Norense Odiase as he scored 16 points, grabbed 4 rebounds, a turnover and a block. Odiase went 5 of 7 from the floor and was only 6 of 10 from the charity stripe. That could have certainly been better, but Odiase caused problems for the Bearkats for the entire game and really didn’t have an answer. Odiase went to the line 8 times in the second half and I think he was maybe a bit worn out, but he wore out SHSU on the block in the second half. There was a moment in the second half half where Odiase fell to the floor and then kicked the defender that pushed him down. I write “pushed him down” but truthfully, it looked like a basketball play and Odiase just got tripped up, a normal basketball play. It was a strange reaction from Odiase and he did get T’ed up as a result of his actions and He pretty much saw the end of the bench for the rest of the game.
- For a weird stat line of the game, Zach Smith finished with 14 rebounds, only 2 points, 2 assists, 2 turnovers and 3 blocks. That’s a pretty incredible defensive performance and leading the team in assists. I think this speaks to Smith’s willingness to be unselfish in regards to how he plays. Smith had a second half block that was as impressive as I’ve seen.
- Devaugntah Williams and Keenan Evans each scored 7 points in the second half, a big part of second half offense pulling away. Evans finished with 11 points, 5 rebounds, 2 turnovers and 2 assists. Williams had 15 points on 6 of 12 from teh floor with 15 points, 3 assists, and a turnover.
- Texas Tech only hit 1 three-point shot in the second half, a three-pointer by Evans in the second half that ended up putting Texas Tech up 20+ points and the deep reserves entered the game, ie. Andrew Sorrells.
- Toddrick Gotcher got on track a little bit better, making 4 of 9 from the field and making 3 of 7 three-point shots. Gotcher is still a bit streaky from beyond the arc and for the season, but it was good to see him get back on track from the outside. Texas Tech really does need for Gotcher to shoot well from the outside.
- I thought this was a sloppy game for Texas Tech in some respects, but Texas Tech only had 11 turnovers to 14 assists. Maybe it would be safe to say that it wasn’t clean and I felt like there were more turnovers than what was actually recorded. Maybe that’s good that Texas Tech was better than I thought.
- Aaron Ross continues to be a really solid player off the bench, scoring 7 points, grabbing 5 rebounds an assist and a turnover. Justin Gray also has moments where he looks like his former self, but the coaching staff appears to be limiting his minutes. With Manderson gone, I’d like to see Gray get some more minutes, but maybe the staff is being careful.
