Post-Game Thoughts: Texas Tech 65, Baylor 62

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Game Recap

Tortilla Tossin’ Player of the Game: Really a collective effort here, but I’ll go with Adonis Arms and his monstrous dunk. In addition to the dunk, Adams shot 7 of 13 from the floor, scoring 14 points, grabbing 9 rebounds, dishing 5 assists, 1 turnover, and 2 blocked shots. Pretty impressive stat-line regardless of the dunk.

Multi-Purpose Player of the Game: I’ll go with the injured Kevin McCullar, who scored 12 points on 5 of 8 from the floor, including 2 of 5 from deep, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 turnovers, and 3 steals. Again, making a huge impact off the bench.

Game Notes:

  • Can we start at the end? The final possession for Baylor was absolutely amazing defensive basketball. You had everything that Mark Adams preaches on defense, Marcus Santos-Silva switching on the perimeter guard with the ball, you had multiple attempts to drive only to be stymied, and after 19 seconds and change Baylor shot a bad shot that was really never close or had a chance.
  • When it was 24-9 in favor of Baylor I thought there was no chance in Hades that Texas Tech wins this game. Texas Tech would claw back from that 13 point deficit over the course of the game to win a thrilling game on the road and that’s a tough prospect no matter who you play. By the end of the first half, Texas Tech had come back within 5 and at that point, you thought there was a chance. In that first half, Baylor made 43% of their shots including 5 of 10 from three, and then the clamps came in the second half. Texas Tech would tighten things up defensively from deep and Baylor’s deep looks sort of dissipated, going only 3 of 14 for 21% from three.
  • Of course, Texas Tech struggled to score for the better part of the first half. Only 26 points in a half is not really very much and Texas Tech really did what they do well, which is shoot well inside the arc and hope for the best from deep. Texas Tech had only 25 shots in the first half, making 48% including 1 of 6 from deep, and in the second half, the difference was slightly better shooting, going to 53% for 2-point buckets, and then made 3 of 8 three-point buckets. So slightly better shooting, making 2 additional three-point shots and that was the ball game.
  • Neither team really went to the line, Baylor was just 8 of 18, not a ton of volume, and Texas Tech was 5 of 7. Texas Tech was 8 of 22 from mid-range and 7 of 10 at the rim. Again, despite Baylor having a significant size advantage, Texas Tech pounded the paint, scoring 36 in the paint to just 22 for Baylor. And despite Baylor grabbing 13 offensive boards to just 7 for Texas Tech, the Red Raiders held a 12-6 advantage on second chance points and also took advantage of points off of turnovers, 19-11.
  • How do you recap a game with so many big moments. Davion Warren’s 2 free throws with 19 seconds. The Arms’ dunk made all of the highlights. The Williams and McCullar 3-pointers.
  • I know you’re missing the advanced stats box score in your life. The four net positive players were Obanor at +0.3, Arms +4.9, McCullar +6.9, and Nadolny +0.5. Your best lineup was Obanor, Arms, McCullar, Williams, and Nadolny and it wasn’t all that close otherwise. And in thinking of the game, that was who made the big plays.
  • With every win there’s so much emotion that goes along with it. Being left at the altar by Chris Beard in a way, every win sort of validates the hiring of Mark Adams in so many ways. From a culture standpoint, to the defensive coaching, to the change in offensive scheme, to the general feel of the team. It just all points in a good direction and the ability to sort of puff out your chest a bit to know that something was/is right is a good feeling.
  • “On the court or off the court, this is the tightest group I’ve ever been a part of at Texas Tech.” — Kevin McCullar post game. If that’s not directed at a particular someone, I don’t know what is.
  • Head coach Mark Adams: “We showed a lot of determination, grit and character. I’m very proud of them and blessed to be their coach. We could have just quit in about that first 10 minutes. But the guys just hung around and kind of got back in it at halftime, and then were able to gain some momentum as the game went on.”
  • Up next? Texas Tech hosts Oklahoma State on Thursday, yes tomorrow, at the United Supermarkets Arena with tip-off at 6:00 p.m. Oklahoma State lost in Morgantown by 10 last night.

Highlights

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