Game Links:
Tortilla Tossin’ Player of the Game: Lots of terrific performances, but Texas Tech doesn’t get back into this game without McMillian, 8 of 15 from the field including 8 of 10 from beyond the arc, along with 7 boards, 1 assist and just 1 turnover.
The Motion:
- I was disappointed that Texas Tech couldn’t close it out in regulation, the Pop Isaacs travel was part of the equation, but that’s not the reason Texas Tech lost. Ultimately it was defense and I think that of all the things to solve, the defense is the easiest equation considering who is on staff and who is the head coach. I’d also add that Butler is a very good offensive team and they were before the game and after seeing it, yeah, they are highly efficient, big and can shoot. That’s a good basketball team.
- Butler shot 55% from the field, 44% from deep, and made 19 of 25 free throws. Part of the issue was that Butler had 13 offensive boards, which is more possessions, which is not what you want to give to a good offensive team. Butler also out-rebounded Texas Tech by 16, which is a ton. Texas Tech went small with Cambridge, Toussaint, McMillian, and Isaacs along with either Williams or Washington at the post. That was probably a good move even though you had the rebounding deficiency because you needed some scoring.
- Even though the defense wasn’t great, the offense does continue to do some good things and that has been my biggest concern as the season started. Texas Tech shot 53% and 50% from deep, had 27 bench points, 31 fast break points, and even though Butler was bigger, had 38 points in the paint to 42 for the Bulldogs. The turnovers have also been really low for another game, just 7 for the game and they also converted 12 Butler turnovers into 19 points.
- I thought some of the fouls on Cambridge were ticky-tack, but i don’t know how much I want to complain. It’s not uncommon for the home team to get more calls, that’s partly because of the play of the offense being more aggressive.
- Pop Isaacs is maybe starting to get back on track a bit. He was 7 of 16 overall, but still just 1 of 5 from beyond the arc. He had 18 points overall, 4 assists, and just 2 turnovers.
- Joe Toussaint had 12 assists to go along with 18 points. There’s something about his game that is chaotic and that chaos is something that I naturally do not like, but it is effective.
- Cambridge played really well again, so above the rim, scoring 16 on 6 of 11, but his biggest issue was going 4 of 8 from the free throw line.
- There’s no reason to hang your head for this game, Butler is a good team playing at home. Texas Tech was down most of the first half and found a way to fight back and take the lead, just couldn’t close. However, there are players on this team that can get shots up in crunch time and that’s hugely important. It didn’t work out last night, but I’m okay with that.
- Up next? Texas Tech will be back home to host Omaha on Wednesday, December 6th at 7:00 pm, broadcast on ESPN+.
Highlights