Game Links
Tortilla Tossin’ Player of the Game
I wanted to bring this back, for no other reason other than I like to type. Plus I know the players absolutely can’t wait to receive this honor. I’m going to give this to Kyler Edwards, who has struggled mightily offensively this year. Yesterday in the second half, Edwards went 4-9 including 3-5 from the three-point line and 7 of 8 from the free throw line. The first half, Edwards scored 2 points on 1 of 3, so he scored 18 of his 20 points in that second half and I think he needed that. In addition to those 20 points, Edwards had 4 boards, 1 assist, and no turnovers.
The Motion
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- I thought that the offense was pretty terrific yesterday. Much better and a much better flow than what we’ve seen. I thought that the defense struggled a bit, particularly on the boards, where CSUB had a 8 rebound advantage, including a 6-2 advantage in offensive boards. Texas Tech was able to close the gap a bit and the total margin was 36-29. CSUB shot 46% in the first half, plus add in those additional offensive boards and that’s a tough thing to stop. The second half saw a more equal rebounding effort and increased pressure defensively as the Roadrunners only shot 34.6%.
- I thought one of the keys in the second half was double-teaming the post players that was giving Texas Tech fits. A lot of post players are simply not good passers out of the post and I think that extra bit of pressure caused CSUB some issues.
- And the Texas Tech offense was simply better in the second half, shooting 46% and then increasing it to 52% in the second half, including 4 of 6 in the second half from the three-point line.
- It certainly helps to have Ramsey who has a green light to shoot whenever he wants, he was 6 of 10 for the game including 4 of 4 from the three-point line. A stat line of 20 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 turnovers.
- Other good things? Really nice to see Davide Moretti get back on track. He only took 3 shots, making 2, all being three-point shots and he also only had 1 assist and no turnovers. Moretti was a bit flustered previously, but he looked a bit like his normal self, took what the defense game him and didn’t try to push too much.
- Chris Clarke had another near triple-double, 9 points, on 4 of 9 from the floor, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists, with 2 turnovers. He really drives this machine and he’s such a good passer. 16 assists to just 9 turnovers for the day.
- Despite CSUB pounding the ball inside, they only out-scored Texas Tech 24-22 for points in the paint. Texas Tech’s huge advantage was fastbreak points, but when you crash the offensive boards like CSUB does, then those opportunities should be there.
- The Red Raiders had 6 blocks to 0 for CSUB and the Roadrunners had 17 turnovers to just 9 for Texas Tech (as mentioned above). Another huge advantage was free throws, where Texas Tech had 25 total free throws to just 12 for CSUB.
- Head coach Chris Bears:
“I just want to recognize our crowd. It is a compliment each time we walk out there, we’ve worked so hard to build this program to the point where people can be proud of it and be consistent. I am not sure if we are there yet, but we are close. We appreciate people spending their time and money to come out and support our team. I just want to thank everyone who came to the game and thank the season ticket holders. A lot of students have stayed around and are coming to the games right now so it’s really nice, thank you. Secondly, and equally as important, I just want to tell you how much respect I have for Bakersfield and their coach, Coach Barnes. He has been doing this for a long time and he is somebody I look up to, guys in my kind of age bracket grew up watching his teams play. They were everything I told the guys they would be today. It is a good team. A postseason team. A team that will compete for the championship and a team that has an identity. A team that does not quit, and they’re really good so I am pleased as much as I have been in a long time. Sitting up here after a victory and the main reason why is because I think we beat a well-coached team. It’s going to be an RPI win for us in my opinion. I wish those guys and Coach Barnes the best of luck this season and I have a lot of respect for the way they play the game of college basketball.”
- Beard on Kyler Edwards:
“Not just tonight, I thought he stayed the course. Nobody has worked as hard as Kyler. Nobody wants to win as much as Kyler. Statistically, he has kind of gone through some adversity but tonight against who I think is the best team we have played in Lubbock this year, Kyler stepped up big. Kyler will be in the gym tonight. He will be in the gym tomorrow. I have a lot of confidence in Kyler and I know he is willing to do what him and I both want done.”
- Beard on what he was happy with this game:
“My respect comes from the team we played today. Their coach can really coach. He was controlling the tempo. He knows what he is doing. So, we just beat a really good team today, I am pleased with our team. To be entering Big 12 play on Saturday ranked in the top 25, having the second highest largest home winning streak in non-conference in college basketball, really making a dent in attendance. Just a lot of things we have been working hard on. Look, we have a young team. We start two freshman and play about five or six with two grad transfers who have only been in Lubbock for five or six months. We are a work in progress, and I think that I probably don’t recognize that enough. I am proud of these guys. I am not satisfied and I never will be unless we can win that last game on Monday night.”
- Hell yeah.
You love to see that Chris Beard practices what he preaches…that defensive stance is 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/jpB5vKGUM6
— Eric Kelly (@EricKellyTV) December 30, 2019
- Beard was pretty excited to see Edwards’ end his slump:
You wonder why guys wanna play for Chris Beard?
This moment in the second half is a perfect example…Kyler Edwards a big three-pointer to put Tech up double digits and then receives the bear(d) hug as he heads back over to the bench…as good as it gets right there. pic.twitter.com/OVh7DLhgJH
— Eric Kelly (@EricKellyTV) December 30, 2019
