Game Links
Game Recap
Player of the Game: Just let Keenan evans play the second half. That’s really all he needs. 18 points on 6 of 8 from the floor. That’s 18 points in 19 second half minutes and he could not be stopped, especially when Texas Tech needed it the most. Evans finished with 25 points total, 3 boards, 3 assists, and 2 turnovers.
High Flyer of the Game: A block that was spectacular and then follow that with a dunk and you have something that’s just beautiful.
🚫 pic.twitter.com/BbuwFk2PpU
— Texas Tech Basketball (@TexasTechMBB) March 9, 2018
Defender of the Game: Kinda hard not to pick Zhaire here, his defensive works is always great, but his two block shots are really just part of the puzzle and he’s such a threat to clean up any defenseive lapses, it’s ridiculous.
Multi-Purpose Player of the Game: We’ll go with Jarrett Culver, who had 13 points no a not so great shooting day, 5 of 14, but he did add 11 rebounds, 3 assists 2 turnovers, 1 block and 2 steals.
Game Notes:
- It was not fun giving up the lead, a significant lead, but it was fun to beat Texas two of three times this year and these games aren’t really ever easy, but I’ll take it every day. Survive and advance.
- The game was close with about 7:43 left in the game and UT’s Young had 27 points. Just for the record, Keenan Evans took Young the very next possession and stopped Young, and then Evans took him again. Young would finish with 29 points, so after Evans took Young, he scored 2 points. That’s why he’s first team all-conference.
- This was the Texas Tech that we sorta saw before everytone was injured. Zach Smith is still getting his legs under him and he ran into some foul trouble, but he’s going to be crazy important as Texas Tech tries to keep this thing going as long as possible.
- Zhaire’s 8 points were all spectacular and fun to watch. Every game I think that he’s got 20 points, but it’s because he does so much, you just sort of associate those plays with points. Zhaire had 8 points, 5 rebounds, an assist, 2 blocks and 2 steals. That’s filling up the bucket.
- I still would really like to get more out of Odiase and Hamilton (although Hamilton hit a couple of three’s that really helped), but Mo Bamba is like their kryptonite, but whether it is Baylor or West Virginia, those guys have really long and athletic guys too. They need to give the team something.
- Chris Beard on Keenan Evans:
He’s one of the best players I’ve every coached. I think he’s one of the best in the Big 12 that translates to him being one of the best players in college basketball. It’s not just his talent. It’s his courage. He wants to be in those moments. He wants the ball in those moments and it’s been a maturation process for him. Started playing for Tubby and took a lot of bumps, helped them get to the NCAA tournament as a sophomore. Last year he was a leader, All-Conference player, doubled up his numbers and now this year he’s one of the best players in college basketball. Tonight, we’ve been in these situations before. He has the ability and the courage to take games over.
- Chris Beard on the next game:
No, just — this league is so good, you guys have seen it, every game has been a 1-possession game in this tournament so far. No, there’s a lot of things that I am looking forward to, but playing against another Big 12 team is not one of them. We have extreme respect for West Virginia and Coach Huggins, and Baylor and Coach Drew, two teams that are going be in the NCAA tournament. So I’m not looking forward to playing either one of them, but I’m looking forward to competing again in this tournament.
Highlights
Check out the highlights from our first win at the #Big12Hoops Championship since 2013! #WreckEm #4To1 pic.twitter.com/8gzyaEuJO8
— Texas Tech Basketball (@TexasTechMBB) March 9, 2018