Game Links:
Tortilla Tossin’ Player of the Game: The one and only Kyler Edwards. A fantastic game from Edwards where he finished with 20 points in 26 minutes, going 7 of 8 from the floor, 4 of 5 from beyond the arc, 4 assists, 2 turnovers, and 1 impressive block.
The Motion:
- Watching Edwards last night reminded me of watching a Bob Knight offense. The way that Edwards would slip in the post for an easy layup was something that Knight’s offenses would regularly take advantage of and that’s one of those things when you realize that you completely understand how the offense works, how the defense is guarding you, and the defender’s head is absolutely spinning.
- If you would have told me that Mac McClung scores 4 points for the entire game and only takes 4 shots, I’d be concerned. McClung didn’t force shots, he didn’t need to, and he ended up with a turnover and 6 assists to end the evening.
- This game was really about TCU getting rolled and then Chris Beard trusting his young guys to continue what the starters had done. They did. First half to the second? 48% shooting to 56% in the second half while TCU shot 36% in the first half and 42% in the second, but by that time, it really didn’t matter, especially when you throw in the 8 turnovers in the 1st and 7 in the second. That’s a lot of lost possessions.
- TCU actually led this game for over 5 minutes. That’s kind of wild that TCU led for that long considering how the game ended.
- I absolutely loved that Beard trusted Clarence Nadolny, Tyreek Smith, Chibuzo Agbo, Vlad Goldin, and Avery Benson. That 5 went 9 of 15 from the floor and made TCU get frustrated by the end of the game.
- I absolutely love that Smith is making real inroads in terms of improvement, he looks so much better in terms of composure and his ability to score as well as rebound. 9 points and 6 rebounds in 14 minutes is impressive.
- And the composure aspect is something that has been great with Nadolny too. He’s so much more in control of his play and with Burton out, he’s the guy that’s up next.
- Edwards was the only player in double-figures, so of the 69 points, 49 of them were split pretty equally between the remainder of the players sharing the ball and getting open looks. There were 22 assists on 29 made baskets. That’s significantly different than in the Oklahoma State game where the ball movement was stagnant at best.
- Some stats. TCU made 24% of their 3-point shots compared to 46% for Texas Tech. Not a huge free throw game for either team, TCU shot 11 and Texas Tech shot 10. Texas Tech kept their turnovers under 10 with 9 and TCU had 15. Texas Tech had more offensive rebounds, 10, than defensive rebounds, 9, in the first half. Despite not having a player taller than 6’8″, Texas Tech outscored TCU 34-26 in the paint. TCU had 7 assists on the night compared to 22 for Texas Tech.
- Head coach Chris Beard:
“I think we understand the last two games our backs were against the walls a little bit,” said Texas Tech coach Chris Beard who improved to 73-13 in home games leading the program. “I thought the guys played their best basketball when we needed them to play their best basketball. I think that was the story of tonight. Fifty-percent shooting, low turnover game, 22 assists of our 29 baskets. We’re playing the game the right way. Defensively, I think we were locked in. We held TCU to a field goal percentage that favored us and we guarded the 3-point line well as well.”
- Up next? Iowa State at home on Thursday, March 4th at 6:00 p.m.
Highlights