Game Links:
Tortilla Tossin’ Player of the Game: I don’t think that Texas Tech is in this game without Mac McClung’s ability to make baskets. McClung poured it on in the second half, scoring 17 of his 24 points in the second half, but the 5 turnovers are an issue. He digs into the heart of the defense, picks up his dribble, and can’t figure out a way back out. he’s got to work on that (which I think he is, but it does need to be better).
The Motion:
- Well, that’s kind of a bummer. Some missed shots early and some turnovers late and this one was just too much for Texas Tech to really overcome. I honestly think the turnovers were the kicker for me, 11 in the first half and 9 in the second, Texas Tech just couldn’t hold onto the ball, and in a game with such low possessions, having a turnover rate of 30% isn’t ideal. I think Texas Tech was over-coming the shooting woes, but
- Mac McClung and Marcus Santos-Silva were the worst offenders for turnovers, 5 each, and Kyler Edwards had 4. That’s heavy-minute guys getting losing a ton of possessions. I’d add that Texas Tech isn’t in this game without McClung, that’s not a knock about the turnovers, but he looked
- For comparison purposes, Texas Tech’s points per possession was .900 and Baylor was .971. that .071 doesn’t sound like a lot, but over the course of a game, it’s quite a bit.
- Texas Tech was also severely out-scored by the bench, 26-5 in favor of Baylor. Terrence Shannon was virtually non-existent, he couldn’t find any rhythm, was 1 for 7 on the day, did grab 5 rebounds, but other than that, he didn’t do a ton. Jamarius Burton is similar in that he was 1 of 6 on the day, scored 3 points and didn’t contribute really otherwise. I mentioned a few weeks ago that Texas Tech sort of needs a Big Three to compete and I think that was true and it was only McClung and McCullar that scored in double-figures.
- I don’t know that I have a ton of insight from this game other than Baylor has better shooters and made more shots. That’s my biggest takeaway. Don’t get me wrong, I knew coming into this game that the Bears would play terrific defense and that they had terrific shooters as well. Texas Tech held them below season averages in terms of their offensive production, but the Baylor defense did the same.
- Some of you are probably upset at the charges and fouls and well, those same calls are the ones that Texas Tech typically gets that infuriates other fans. Jumping in front of opposing offensive players and taking charges is what Texas Tech does. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right?
- Speaking of McCullar, I thought he had another good game, he had a double-double, 10 points, 11 boards, 3 assists, 4 blocks, 2 steals, and 2 turnovers. That’s a pretty full stat sheet. The only detriment was the 3 of 11 from the field.
- Reduce turnovers and shoot just a bit better and Texas Tech wins this game.
- Head coach Chris Beard:
“There were two hard-playing teams out there,” Texas Tech coach Chris Beard said. “I think both teams were competing and playing really hard. I just thought they played better than us in the last eight minutes of the game when it mattered most. I think what I learned is what I already knew. We can play with these teams. We can beat these teams. What we need to continue to do is get better.”
- Up next? TCU in Fort Worth on Wednesday, January 20th at 7:00 p.m., the game set to be broadcast on ESPN+.
Highlights