Game Links:
Tortilla Tossin’ Player of the Game: I think I want to give this to Jaylen Petty? He hit big shots down the stretch and he’s been in a bit of a struggle to hit shots, but he hit some yesterday. Step-backs and a fade away to name two. Petty was 4 of 6 from the field, 3 of 5 from deep, 9 REBOUNDS, 3 assists, 2 turnovers, and a steal.
The Motion:
- This just wasn’t that probable, but then it was. I was a little surprised to see how the committee was thinking that Texas Tech dropped a seed before even playing, the assumption that Texas Tech would be worse and that doesn’t seem fair. McCasland’s response to Jeff Goodman about predicting that Texas Tech would drop to a 10 seed without Toppin is evidence that he is very aware of the chatter and the idea that each person would squeeze a bit more from each player is what’s been key. That’s exactly what happened, especially yesterday afternoon.
- Texas Tech shot the heck out of the ball. In the 1st half, Texas Tech shot 61% from the floor and 44% from beyond the arc, and the second half they cooled to 54% from the field and 54% from beyond the arc. That’s just silly and that’s shot-making. And that’s a good chunk of the 2nd half without Anderson, in fact, he sat out 3 minutes and 5 minutes in each half, that’s something that doesn’t happen. And don’t look now, but don’t let these guys figure out how to play without Anderson.
- A huge part of the first half was Donovan Atwell, who scored 15 of his 18 points in the 1st half. He carried them and Iowa State to rotate and double Anderson and then not leave Atwell open. That’s exactly what Iowa State did. For the game, Atwell was 6 of 11 and all 6 makes were 3’s. He’s so deadly.
- McCasland made it a point in multiple interviews and after the game about how Tyeree Bryan is breaking the huddles, and how he felt silly initially doing it, but has embraced it. He has felt like the kind of guy that gets too down on himself when he makes mistakes and that affects his ability to play the next play. Bryan had the best game I can remember, 10 points, on 4 of 6, including 2 of 4 from deep, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and no turnovers.
- I love Moseley. He’s definitely got it and adding him and Bamgboye together is a nice combination. Moseley was 4 of 6 with 2 free throw attempts and makes for 10 points, and 9 rebounds, nearly a double-double, in just 22 minutes, plus an assist, 3 blocks, and no turnovers. He doesn’t have a game like Toppin and I’m so glad that they aren’t trying to force it, but he is contributing and making this his own. It’s fun seeing what he’s about.
- Texas Tech had 6 players in double-figures, which is something we haven’t seen in a while, where the scoring is so balanced. Anderson with 14, Bamgboye with 13 (6 of 7 from the field), Petty with 12, Atwell with 18, Bryan with 10 and Moseley with 10.
- Despite the 15 turnovers for Texas Tech to just 7 for Iowa State, that was the only stat that was in favor of Iowa State for the most part. Actually, that’s not true, ISU was 19 of 27 from the free throw line, while Texas Tech shot just 11 free throws. Iowa State couldn’t hit anything, just 39% from the field and 33% from deep. Texas Tech out-rebounded the Cyclones 35 to 29, despite the 14 offensive boards to just 9 for Texas Tech. Texas Tech had 20 bench points to just 10 for ISU and Texas Tech also had the advantage in points in the paint, 30 to 24.
- Head coach Grant McCasland: “I thought we came into this game with the right mentality. We took care of the ball until the end but the only way we were able to play this way was because of the respect we have for Iowa State, this building and Hilton Magic. I know how tough it is to play here and just tried to prepare our guys what playing a great team here is about. There is a competitiveness to every possession and we were able to do it.”
- Advanced Stats: Moseley +4.1; Bryan +3.8; Petty +2.3; Atwell +1.8; Bamgboye -0.6; Watts -1.0; and Anderson -4.6.
- Up next? Texas Tech hosts TCU on Tuesday, March 3rd for senior night. Tip-off is at 6:00 p.m. and will be on FS1.
Highlights