Game Links:
Tortilla Tossin’ Player of the Game: I think I split this between Christian Anderson and Donovan Atwell who had 15 3-pointers between them. Anderson was 9 of 15, including 8 of 10 from deep, with 26 points, 6 assists, 3 boards, 4 turnovers, and a steal. Atwell hit all 7 of his 10 shots in the 1st half, finished with 21 points, 3 boards, an assist, a block, and a steal.
The Motion:
- Just like last week, I don’t have Peacock and didn’t watch the game. I did watch the extended highlights, which are embedded below.
- The rims are just right in Waco, but that Baylor defense was something. Just being able to watch the highlights, it’s not a defense that is scrambling and working to get in front of opponents, they didn’t seem to understand that they couldn’t give Anderson or Atwell an inch, but they sure did. The interior defense was also just weak. I’m not at all trying to take away credit from Texas Tech’s offense and finding the open man, but Baylor wasn’t helping themselves.
- Texas Tech shot 63% from beyond the arc. Astounding. Overall they shot 60% from the field. If you want half breakdowns, it’s 69% from the field in the 1st half and 74% from deep, then 50% in the 2nd half and 38% from deep. Texas Tech cooled down a bit, but even then those are good numbers.
- JT Toppin was 10 of 16 from the field and scored 22 points, grabbed 4 boards, 2 assists, and 3 turnovers. McCasland said after the game Toppin banged knees with someone and said he was a bit hobbled, but he wanted to play and we’ll see for this weekend. I cannot imagine having to play Houston without Toppin. Light your Toppin candles.
- LeJuan Watts was 4 of 6 from the field, including 5 of 6 from the line, 7 boards, 3 steals, 1 assist, and 4 turnovers. That’s a pretty good stat line when you have Anderson, Atwell, and Toppin scoring 20.
- McCasland actually backed off of the minutes a bit, Tyeree Bryan played 28 minutes and he was the main 6th man and did decent. That rest alone allowed Petty to take some time off as well as Watts.
- Jaylen Petty was the only starter we haven’t mentioned and he had a quiet night, just 3 points, but he did have 3 assists.
- Some numbers that don’t mean much in the grand scheme of things. Baylor had 11 offensive boards to just 5 for Texas Tech. Baylor also had 13 2nd chance points to just 5 for Texas Tech. Texas Tech also had a strange turnover game, 13 for the evening, but 4 in the 1st half and 9 in the 2nd. Baylor also had 13 fast break points and just 6 for Texas Tech.
- Advanced Stats: Atwell +9.8; Anderson +6.1; Bryan +3.5; Watts -0.5; Toppin -2.4; Petty -4.6.
- Up next? Texas Tech hosts Houston this Saturday, January 24th with ESPN’s Gameday in town and tip-off at 5:30 and broadcast on ESPN.
Highlights