GAME LINKS
I didn’t get to watch the game because I didn’t get this channel. Please help all of us and supplment my thoughts on the game based off of the highlights and boxscore.
THE MOTION
- The star yesterday was true freshman Zhaire Smith, who finished with 14 points on 5 of 6 from the floor, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks and 1 turnover. Smith appears to be exactly what you wanted in that he is a high-flying wing player that can get to the rim and maybe the three-point shooting is a bit of a surprise (he was 1-2).
- The Texas Tech defense ended up holding South Alabama to just 30% from the floor, which is greatj and the Jaguars ended up shooting themselves in the foot in only making 50% of free throws. The screws were tightened in the second half where the team went from 38% to 25%. The Red Raiders forced 24 turnovers, including 11 steals.
- The turnovers were a bit high considering the opponent, 18 total turnovers, with Moretti, Zach Smith and Hamilton each having three.
- This game was relatively close in the first half, and then the offense finally got going, in large part to Moretti hitting back-to-back three-point shots. Moretti finished with 10 points, on 2 of 6 from the field and 4 of 4 from the line. The 3 turnovers aren’t surprising given that he’s a freshman, it’s his first game and maybe had some jitters, but he’ll have to reign that in.
- Keenan Evans finished with 12 points, going 5 of 9 from the field and missing all 4 of his three-point shots. Evans also had 3 boards, 1 assist and just 1 turnover.
- Zach Smith wasn’t good offensively, missing all 3 of his shots and not getting to the line at all, but he did have 4 rebounds, 2 assists, a block and 4 steals. Beard mentioned after the game that he’d need to be more aggressive and yes, yes, he does.
- No player played more than 24 minutes, Zach Smith, and 10 players had double-figure minutes. There’s just so many little things happening here because so many guys saw minutes. Brandone Francis had 3 points on a three-point shot (it would be really nice if he had some range to his game) and 6 rebounds in just 16 minutes. Tommy Hamilton finished with 12 points and 4 boards, making all 3 of his shots in the second half.
- One of the big problems with this team last year was defending the three-point line and Texas Tech allowed South Alabama to make 35% of their three-point shots. They got better, 44% in the first half and 27% in the second half, but that will be something to watch.
- Pretty awesome moment here:
Tonight’s starting lineup consisted of six Red Raiders instead of five as #TexasTech legend Corky Oglesby was the first to take the floor. pic.twitter.com/ncNdUGzZEt
— Texas Tech Basketball (@TexasTechMBB) November 11, 2017