This was a terrible first half for Texas Tech, one where Texas Tech looked tentative on offense, without purpose, and on defense were simply not closing out well on Auburn’s three-point shooters. But this team kept fighting and by the time that the clock read 0:00, Texas Tech was shooting for a chance to win the game. This team will battle.
The thing that I think surprised this team and it’s going to have to do a better job of overcoming, will be teams that are more athletic than Texas Tech. Auburn has some interesting athletes and Texas Tech had a tough time keeping up with them. I don’t think it’s a problem necessarily, this team is just going to have to do a better job of blocking out and doing those smaller things that can keep athletes in check. I thought the move to the zone defense helped a bit too and Beard really maybe should have moved to that a bit sooner in the first half.
The turnovers were significant and a problem. Zach Smith had 6 turnovers by himself, Keenan Evans had 4 turnovers and Aaron Ross had 4. That’s really unacceptable for these guys.
The second chance points and fast break points were a clear sign of that athleticism, Auburn had 12 second chance points and 9 fastbreak points compared to just 4 and 2 for Texas Tech. Not only that, but Auburn had 23 points off of the 17 turnovers for Texas Tech. Those were all daggers.
Keenan Evans probably has a green light to shoot from anywhere, but he’s got to be more discerning because he was just 1 of 6 from the three-point line and Anthony Livingston was just 1 of 5. I’d really like Evans to be more discerning.
Millinghaus had a terrific game against Eastern Kentucky, but was just 1 of 6 from the field with 5 rebounds on Tuesday. That’s where Millinghaus needs to figure out how to be more consistent. Millinghaus didn’t attempt a free throw, which means that he wasn’t looking to take anything to the rack.
Aaron Ross led the team with 17 points on 6 of 11 from the floor, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 turnovers. Other notable performances, Justin Gray had 9 points and 7 rebounds with 2 assists, 2 steals and no turnovers. Devon Thomas really continues to play well, finishing with 11 points, 1 turnover, a steal and 1 rebound. Despite Smith’s 6 turnovers, he did finish with 10 points and 10 rebounds, another double-double to go along with 1 assist, and 1 block.
In the first half, I thought the offense was struggling to find it’s purpose, lots of screening, but not a lot of screening to get guys open and as they figure out the motion offense, they’ll need to consider that they need to be not just screening, but screening to get guys open.
This was the second straight game that Niem Stevenson was out and I hope he gets to play tonight against Utah State, game is set for a 5:00 pm tip on CBS Sports Network.
