Game Links
Game Recap
Tortilla Tossin’ Player of the Game: Am I allowed to give this to Daniel Batcho? He only scored 8 points, but he also grabbed 9 rebounds, which led the team and had a blog, a steal and just 1 turnover in 23 minutes. He was also 3 of 4 from the field and wonder if he’s going to shoot any outside shots this year. I love the way he plays around the rim and he’s more than just “useful” he’s good.
Multi-Purpose Player of the Game: I’ll go with Kevin McCullar here, who had 11 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, and 4 turnovers. The turnovers again are a problem (see below). You could also make a case for Adonis Arms who had 11 points, 2 boards, 5 assists, 2 steals, 1 blocked shot and just 1 turnover.
Game Notes:
- I would like for the turnovers to no longer be an issues. It felt like the first five minutes of the game there were no good possessions (this is an exaggeration) and I’m sure that Mark Adams would like to see the turnovers no longer be an issue. It’s the sloppiness despite playing an opponent that you should beat the doors off of, which eventually happened.
- That’s really my biggest criticism, that and free throw rate. Only 12 free throws for the team, but it’s not as if Texas Tech struggled to score. Texas Tech made 49% of their shots in the first half, including 38% of 3-point shots and then poured it on inside after that, making 54% of the shots overall. Any time you shoot over 50%, you’re likely going to win (as long as you don’t turn the ball over 18 times).
- Before the game I didn’t think that Alabama State would offer much resistance inside and that was the case, 36 points in the paint to just 8 for the Hornets.
- Remember I’ve told you all about Net +/- and it takes into consideration both offensive and defensive +/- and would you believe me that Davion Warren had a negative overall effect on the game at -0.5. That’s not terrible as Kevin Obanor was -7.0 which is terrible. It was the offensive side of the ball that got Warren, so when he’s in the game, it’s a net-negative in terms of scoring, but ups his game defensively. Warren led the team with 15 points, making 6 of 12 including 2 of 7 from deep. He didn’t add much statistically, only 1 rebound, 2 steals, and a turnover, but if you look at traditional +/- Warren was a +21. Not adding much statistically is why he was a negative Net +/-.
- Wanna know who played great from a Net +/-? Clarence Nadolny led the team with +4.4, then Arms at +3.9 and K.J. Allen at +3.2. Sadaar Calhoun was also good in limited minutes McCullar and Batcho were also on the positive side of things. Nadolny is being trusted a lot more with Mylik Wilson being out and he was 3 of 4 from the field including a made 3-pointer, 8 points, 5 assists, just 2 turnovers, and 3 steals. I’ll take that overall.
- Arms and Obanor were a combined 0-9 from deep.
- A 20+ point win is good. I think UT beat the Hornets by 20, so if you’re into comparing, then I think you’re on pace.
- Head coach Mark Adams: “We got some momentum going and played off that. We always talk about the most aggressive team winning and we were not early. I was pleased to see our effort from the bench to give us a spark.”
- I’m probably in the minority on this one, but I liked the logo and color scheme for Alabama State. In a sea of everyone looking the same in terms of primary colors, they looked different and I liked that. As always, STP is a fashion blog at its heart.
- Texas Tech’s next game was supposed to be January 2nd against Oklahoma State, but that was canceled due to Covid issues in the Cowboys program. Thus, the next up next? In Ames on Wednesday, January 5th at 8:00 p.m.
Highlights