Game Links:
Tortilla Tossin’ Player of the Game: For me, it was without question Daniel Batcho. 10 points, 10 rebounds, 3 offensive, 4 assists, 1 turnover, and a steal. Just affected the game in so many ways and dominated the paint on the glass and on offense.
The Motion:
- Nice little debut for this team. The spread was supposedly 30 or so points and didn’t quite hit that mark, but Mark Adams played his bench for a good chunk of the second half. There’s a lot to really like and there’s a bit that’s concerning, but likely correctable.
- Let’s get to the bad part, which are the turnovers, most of them silly passes that just shouldn’t have been made. A better team converts a lot of those turnovers, but not Northwestern State. Adams said after the game that this was this team’s Achilles’ heel and not to beat yourself turning it over. Adams also mentioned offensive rebounds were a killer, and yes, they were, but I didn’t think it was that bad. A team like Northwestern State that didn’t take any inside shots. In fact, NWS attempted no dunks and were only 2 of 8 for layups and only had 8 points in the paint overall.
- Trying to think of a central theme here, but I was really happy with the flow of the offense, which looked significantly better. The team made 52% of their shots and 39% of their 3-point shots and 82% of free throws. Those are all positives and it is nice to see shot-makers on the team, which is something that I think the team lacked last year.
- The debut of the true freshmen was really fun, I thought that Pop Isaacs played really well and you can see how his shot is why he’s starting, but the 5 turnovers will be a topic of discussion. Robert Jennings is going to be a very good, a great rebounder, and finishes around the rim. Lamar Washington is much better handling the ball than I thought going into the game, he had 4 assists, and no turnovers. Elijah Fisher is very raw, especially offensively and he’s exactly what I thought he would be. He’s a little rough around the edges, the only player with 3 personal fouls and had 2 turnovers in just 16 minutes. Overall, I think this is a group that’s going to be very good.
- Daniel Batcho had a double-double in his first game with big minutes. He’s just such a fluid player with size and that’s a pretty rare thing. We didn’t get to see his outside shot, but he exhibited so many of the things that we’ve heard about. Finishing around the rim, 4 of 5 from the floor and 4 of 5 from the line. He also had 4 assists, which is great.
- There were three other returners, Kevin Obanor was fine, finishing with 9 points and 4 boards. KJ Allen looked good on my end of things, didn’t take a shot, but didn’t need to do so, had 2 assists and 3 rebounds. Jaylon Tyson made his first shot and after the game he said that hitting his first shot was something he had dreamed about. Tyson had 8 points on 3 of 4 and 5 boards.
- The newcomers were also fine, but none of them really popped. I thought that De’Vion Harmon was okay and wanted him to be a steadier hand, was 2 of 5, 7 points, with 4 assists and 2 turnovers. De’Maruion Williams also had 4 turnovers, not good, but I liked the way he played. Kerwin Walton was the player that I loved watching play and of all things, he didn’t make a 3-point shot, but that’s going to fall and if he can score multiple ways then he’s going to be a huge part of this team.
- Texas Tech scored 1.159 points per possession and only allowed .731. Northwestern State only shot 28% and 28% from deep. Northwestern State really didn’t take off their starters for the entire game so this is one other factor in the game not being as big of a blowout as maybe other games would be.
- Up next? This Thursday, November 10th, tip-off is at 7:00 p.m. against Texas Southern.
Highlights