Game Links:
Tortilla Tossin’ Player of the Game: Going to do this a bit differently. The 1st half TTPOTG was De’Vion Harmon who scored 21 points on 7 of 11, including 3 of 3 from deep with 2 boards, 2 assists, and no turnovers. The 2nd half TTPOTG players of the game were Kevin Obanor and Fardaws Aimaq, Obanor scored 8 points with 2 boards, 2 huge blocks, and no turnovers. Aimaq scored 10 with 5 boards, 2 assists, a turnover and a block.
The Motion:
- Hey! Two wins in a row! I decided to divide up who was the TTPOTG because Texas Tech doesn’t win that game without all three players contributing. Those Aimaq passes out of the high-post to Obanor were key when the double-teams on Harmon were killing the offense.
- Texas may have lost this game at the line, making only 10 of 17 free throws while Texas Tech made 13 of 14. I know the difference doesn’t quite make it up, but it would likely change the outcome. Texas Tech’s best thing was dominating the boards, 41 to 29, and the points in the paint were greatly in favor of the good guys, 36 to 18.
- The Texas Tech defense showed up again, holding Texas to 39% from the field with Texas staying in the game by staying unusually hot from deep, making 41% of 3-point shots, largely because Carr went 5 of 9. Carr was the one guy Texas Tech couldn’t let get 3-point shots off and they did.
- This was a game where I think that D’Maurian Williams played big minutes, scoring 5 points, grabbing 3 boards with a turnover. Kerwin Walton started, but just couldn’t get anything going and Texas Tech needed a steadying guard to play alongside Harmon. And Lamar Washington can be good, but the turnovers, 5 for the game he tries a bit too much sometimes.
- Elijah Fisher also played well in his 17 minutes, 4 points on 2 of 5, with 5 rebounds, and a steal. I think he’s getting more comfortable.
- Jaylon Tyson was maybe pressing a bit, just 2 of 8, and 6 rebounds, but he forced some drives (maybe some of those should have been called for fouls) but since he was playing his former team, he had extra motivation considering the circumstances and that’s okay. He probably should have mixed in some pull-up jumpers rather than take it to the rack, but that’s a pretty small quibble and I think he’s happy Texas Tech got the win even though he probably wanted to play better.
- Head coach Mark Adams: “A lot of teams get in this situation, get down, and get in a hole and it’s hard to get out of that. But these guys believe in themselves. There’s a saying, with excellence comes great adversity. We’ve had a lot of adversity and not to say we’re excellent yet but we’re showing that path we’re chasing greatness and we want to keep improving.”
- Up next? West Virginia in Morgantown on Saturday, February 18th, with tip-off at 11:00 a.m. and broadcast on ESPNU.
Highlights
This locker room is all heart. #Ŧogether | #WreckEm pic.twitter.com/gf71ZTDmQR
— Texas Tech Basketball (@TexasTechMBB) February 14, 2023