Game Links:
Tortilla Tossin’ Player of the Game: Pop Isaacs. Easy choice. Pop shot 6 of 9 (nice) from the field with 5 of 6 from the 3-point line and 7 of 8 from the line with a rebound, 3 assists, 3 turnovers, and a very important steal late.
The Motion:
- Yikes! I mean, it was great to come back but . . . let’s take a breath. Nicholls was definitely an interesting team. Not the team from the stats that we saw in real life. That’s always interesting. The most interesting thing is that Nicholls had players that were shot-makers. Legitimate shot-makers and that’s something that is usually pretty rare for a team ranked as low as Nicholls. I didn’t know going into the game that they were so old, which helps a ton. Remember last year, there were so many guys that were essentially one-and-done as far as Warren and Arms, guys who were ready. And this is something that I’ll want to explore between now and the next game, which is in a week. Adams is having to grow guys up pretty quickly.
- The thing that was the issue before the game was the thing that was the issue during the game. Texas Tech turned the ball over 18 times and Nicholls scored 23 points off of those turnovers, that’s a pretty good return for a team that was where Nicholls is ranked.
- I’m going to get into some bad and then get into some good. The reason why D’Maurian Williams, Elijah Fisher, and Kerwin Walton aren’t playing is because when they do get in the game, they turn the ball over. Williams had 4 turnovers in 17 minutes, missed both shots, and didn’t have an assist (while also fouling twice). Fisher had a turnover and a bad foul, I think likely a missed defensive assignment in just 2 minutes. Walton had a turnover in a minute and was hesitant on a shot that he should have just jacked up. When you get into the game, you best be ready to 1) not turn the ball over; 2) play great defense; and 3) take shots that present themselves. Do those things and you’ll be fine, but you have to do those things.
- A few more bad things. Nicholls had only 7 offensive rebounds, but scored 12 2nd chance points, which is rare. Nicholls also scored 30 points in the paint. That’s insane and atypical for a Texas Tech defense. Nicholls continuously dove into the lane and Texas Tech didn’t have an answer. Fast break points? Texas Tech 6 and Nicholls . . . 18. Yep, that’s right, Nicholls absolutely dominated on the break.
- Nicholls shot 42% from the field in the 1st half and 25% from beyond the 3-point line. Nicholls shot the same basically, 41% and 33% from the same respective spots. Texas Tech’s first half was that 36% from the field and 25% from the 3-point line and the second half the offense finally woke up, 65% and 63%.
- I keep writing about bad things, but I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t mention the 29 of 46, but the 1st half it was 10 of 19 and the 2nd half it was a respectable 19 of 27.
- Let’s get to some good. Pop Isaacs is a badass. Straight up. He’s getting his feet underneath him and he’s as good of a freshman and maybe the best shooter that I can ever recall. Pure.
- Daniel Batcho was terrific, 14 points, 9 boards, 2 assists, 2 turnovers and 2 blocks. I don’t know where this team is without him.
- Lamar Washington didn’t make a shot, only shot 1 time, made 12 of 17 free throws, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 turnovers. He was instrumental late and the reason why Adams demanded (you could tell) that Washington have the ball in his hands was because De’Vion Harmon tends to dribble the ball into the hardwood way too much. Washington at the very least gets the offense going.
- Harmon has to realize that the offense isn’t going to go well with his over-dribbling. It just doesn’t make sense. That’s not what any offense does.
- Kevin Obanor was unengaged (not necessarily his fault) in the first half, 1 of 4 from the field, but in the 2nd half he woke up and scored 20 on 7 of 13 overall with 7 boards.
- Jaylon Tyson was in a boot and that had my heart racing before the game, but after the game Adams said that Tyson would play against Eastern Washington.
- Up next? Tuesday, December 13th against Eastern Washington. Tip-off is 7:00 p.m. at the United Supermarkets Arena.
Highlights