Upset Lives Here, Part III. Texas Tech Defeats No. 3 Oklahoma

Texas Tech 65, Oklahoma 63

* 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.

  • The game started out really slow, for both teams. Given Texas Tech’s low start, I thought for sure that Texas Tech would be in trouble, but I’m wrong. Again. Texas Tech makes a run early in the first half and is hanging right there with Oklahoma offensively.
  • It helped that Oklahoma really wasn’t hitting their shots except for Hield, who was keeping the Sooners in the game all by himself. And you can credit Texas Tech’s defense or you can credit Oklahoma’s poor shooting. Either way, the Sooners weren’t hitting their shots and this allowed Texas Tech to get back in the game.
  • Matthew Temple played the game of his career thus far. He was constantly fighting for position in the paint, defending the paint, and being incredibly opportunistic offensively. Temple would find players for shots underneath the basket. He hit a three-point shot when the shot-clock was winding down.
  • Toddrick Gotcher had some incredible plays. At the end of the first half, Gotcher has the opportunity to push the ball after a missed shot and scores a layup with no time left on the clock. Then, in the second half, Oklahoma has a 4-0 fast break, but Gotcher’s hustle resulted in Gotcher getting the ball, nearly out of bounds, throwing the ball down toward halfcourt and saves the danged play.
  • Still love that when opposing teams press the point guard and Evans isn’t in the game, Smith takes the ball up the court.
  • I really don’t know where this team is without Aaron Ross’ offense. He hits a ton of clutch shots and there’s really few players in the Big 12 that can sufficiently cover him when he’s hot from the outside.
  • The biggest problem with the defense was that there were times that the switch didn’t happen and that meant that Oklahoma had an opportunity to get an open shot. Not only that, but I thought the offensive rebounding for Oklahoma wasn’t good for Texas Tech. Too many second chance opportunities.
  • Jordan Woodard knows how to draw a foul.
  • Texas Tech had some serious foul issues. Justin Gray and Keenan Evans each had 4 fouls and Gray was largely ineffective in the second half because he just didn’t play that much.
  • With about 2 minutes left in the half Texas Tech was down 61-57, Gotcher gets free after Zach Smith drives and dishes and Gotcher hits a three-point shot pulling Texas Tech to within 2. Immediately after that, Evans gets a deflection and gets a layup to push Texas Tech up by 1. It was a huge swing of events. To top it off, Texas Tech gets another opportunity, after a missed shot, Smith dives for a ball and Gotcher calls timeout to allow another possession. And then, Texas Tech misses a shot, the ball is tipped out, Evans grabs the ball with nearly 30 seconds left on the clock and OU has to foul because Texas Tech could take the ball to the buzzer without taking a shot.
  • Keenan Evans sinks both free throws and puts Texas Tech up by 3 with 28.8 seconds left to play. OU ball.
  • Woodard scores a layup and Evans gets the ball inbounds and OU fouls immediately. Evans goes 1-2 from the line and Texas Tech is up by 2, 65-63.
  • Oklahoma misses two shots at the rim. Texas Tech grabs the rebound. Game. Over.
  • Upset lives here.
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