Game Links:
Tortilla Tossin’ Player of the Game: Kevin McCullar was outstanding again, a quiet game in that I didn’t know that he scored 13 points, but he hit a couple of big three-point shots, grabbed 8 rebounds, 3 offensive, had 2 assists, and 3 turnovers.
The Motion:
- What a terrific defensive game. I thought OU guarded the three-point line really well and that really threw Texas Tech’s offense off of kilter, the inability to get a good look on offense and understanding that the three-point line isn’t going to be a point of emphasis. And Texas Tech’s defense was just a shade better last night, forcing turnovers on 19% of OU’s possessions and only scoring on 39%.
- A pretty fun bit of adjustment in the second half, OU’s offense for a good part of the second half was to switch and force Tyreek Smith to guard a ball-handler rather than a post-player. I don’t know that this worked incredibly well for OU, but it was interesting and it ran Smith off the court.
- But Smith made a huge impact when he was on the court, grabbing 8 rebounds in just 13 minutes, tying a team-lead and added 2 blocks, and 2 points. That wasn’t the only help that came from the bench because Clarence Nadolny played really well, nailing a few shots and knocking down some important free throws late. Beard mentioned after the game how proud he is of Chibuzo Agbo, Smith, and Nadolny for running their own race and staying the course and improving every day. I think Beard is not only speaking to those three, but also to maybe some players who left.
- Texas Tech’s best player, Mac McClung didn’t make a shot all night, but did make all 6 of his free throws. A tough night from McClung as he had a tough evening getting loose, a large bit of credit goes to OU and that perimeter defense. To get a top-10 win with your best player not making a bucket, that’s good. Let’s not do that again.
- Terrence Shannon put together another good game, 15 points, leading the team, 3 rebounds, an assist, a steal and a turnover.
- Some stats. Texas Tech only had 2 points off of a dunk and was 10 of 21 at layups. That’s probably why Texas Tech only scored 57 points and made 33% of their shots. Texas Tech did score 1.018 points per possession, so it’s good to be on the positive side of 1. Texas Tech out-rebounded the Sooners 39-32. Texas Tech also had 26 bench points to just 13 for Oklahoma. Texas Tech made 82% of their free throws and the disparity was 22 to 13 in terms of totals. Another interesting note is that Texas Tech only shot and made 2 free throws in the first half and the rest of the free throws came in the second, going 16 of 20. Texas Tech had 7 first-half turnovers and only 3 in the second. Texas Tech didn’t score a basket the last 3:21 of the game.
- Head coach Chris Beard:
Obviously it was a defensive battle that was ugly in some ways but beautiful in others. It was two teams defending at a high level. Shots weren’t falling for either team but you have to give both defensive units a lot of credit. I thought our guys did a good job in the second half not settling and getting to the free-throw line. I think that was the difference in the game.
- Up next? On the road to Manhattan to take on Kansas State on Saturday, February 6th at 3:00 p.m. set to be broadcast on ESPN+
Highlights
Our Hiro!
Wait, didn’t @CoachBeardTTU tear his ACL last year? pic.twitter.com/3GZWZUXTym
— Texas Tech Basketball (@TexasTechMBB) February 2, 2021
Appreciated @TexasTechMBB head coach @CoachBeardTTU joking svp after the win over Oklahoma. pic.twitter.com/RP62WQTqei
— Stanford Steve (@StanfordSteve82) February 2, 2021