Game Links:
Tortilla Tossin’ Player of the Game: JT Toppin made an immediate impact (not a surprise) scoring 10 of 19 from the floor, 11 of 16 from the line, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, 3 steals, and 2 turnovers. What a stat line.
The Motion:
- What an interesting game. I had no idea what to think of Sam Houston going into the game, but that’s a good team with some good athletes that is going to be a tough team to play for future opponents. The biggest thing was that the Bearkats did a terrific job of guarding Christian Anderson and not allowing him to really initiate the offense AND the Texas Tech defense didn’t really show up until the 2nd half and guarded with more intensity. That first half, Sam Houston shot 50% from the field and 50% from the 3-point line.
- There were a couple of issues that are a bit concerning now, which is that Sam Houston scored 36 points in the paint, to just 30 for Texas Tech. Right now, Toppin is really the biggest and only inside threat and that’s why Texas Tech needs Luke Bamgboye and Josiah Moseley back for some inside presence. Marial Akuentok is young and athletic, but I think he’s got a ways to go before he’s a viable option inside.
- I think this is part of the maturation process for Anderson, he was absolutely smothered by Sam Houston, especially in the 2nd half. Anderson got off 1 shot in the 2nd half and they weren’t going to let him shoot the ball at all, which opened up Atwell and Bryan. Anderson still scored 18 points on 4 of 8 from the floor with 7 of 8 from the line, 7 assists and 2 turnovers to go along with 3 steals. That’s a heck of a stat line.
- I think we’re figuring out a bit about some of the new guys, after the game McCasland said that Bryan was a more prolific shooter than Atwell, but I don’t see how that’s possible. As of now, Bryan is a really good small forward and just sort of takes what’s given to him, 4 of 5 from the field, 7 boards, 12 points, 2 steals, 1 assist and no turnovers. Meanwhile, Atwell has only launched 3-point shots thus far this season and was 6 of 11 from the field, 3 boards, an assist, a steal and a turnover. Atwell’s shot is smooth and he can get it off really quickly.
- We also were able to see the season debut of LeJuan Watts and scored 11 points, 3 of 5 and 5 of 8 from the charity stripe with 6 boards and 1 turnover. His biggest moment was maybe touching the ball on what would have likely been an and-1 for Toppin with Toppin asking “what are you doing?”
- The freshmen came back to earth a bit. I think that the coaches like Nolan Groves a bit more because of his size, but he’s maybe a step slow on defense on occasion. Jaylen Petty was 0-6 and 0-5 from outside the arc and his shot has got a bit of a hitch. The thought that he’s going to be as good as Anderson may need a brake pump. And that’s not a knock on Petty, but Anderson has a much smoother shot, but Petty needs a game to get used to the speed, even a team like Sam Houston (that’s not a knock on Sam Houston, there are Division 1 teams that would love to have guys like Natt and Ilic).
- Texas Tech was 28 of 43 from the free throw line and that’s just 65%. Texas Tech was able to out-rebound Sam Houston, 41 to 37.
- Head coach Grant McCasland: “You can tell we haven’t practiced enough together to be at our best yet. I love our team and the direction we’re going. I thought a big stat for us, especially playing a physical team, was to make more free throws than they attempted. I thought our composure against their physicality was good.”
- Advanced stats say that Anderson +13.5, Atwell +11.6, Toppin +13.5 and Bryan +13.1 were all fantastic with Groves at +3.6 in BPM.
- Up next? Texas Tech will face Illinois in Champaign on Tuesday, November 11th, the game will be broadcast on FS1.
Highlights