Double-T Nation Daily Diatribe :: 11.16.09

Lacking Rhythm:  LAJ's Don Williams editorializes that this team, in particular potential game-winning-drives (Texas and now Oklahoma St.) lack whatever was there last year.  Captain Mike Leach says it's more than just the quarterback and it's about consistency:

"Just basically had too many flat spots,’’ Leach said. "I’m just tired of flat spots. That’s not just quarterback play. That’s line and receivers and all that other business.’’

I think this is how I feel in a nutshell. 

It's really not about one position being consistent or inconsistent, although the quarterback position is the highest profile, that the entire offense lacks consistent greatness.  I still think this group is a year away from maturing and I'm hoping that with maturity this team gets better and I'm also hoping that what doesn't happen is that this group is what it is.

It's also my hope that Leach sits in his laboratory all offseason and figures out what he needs to do to make this group of quarterbacks better than what they are today.  He's done it before and I do believe that he can do it again.

The Word Class Being Used, But It's Okay:  NewsOK's John Helsley had this from OSU head coach Mike Gundy on the Jamar Wall and Zac Robinson hit:

"I had a lot of respect for the Texas Tech coaches and the Texas Tech players who came over when Zac went down," said OSU coach Mike Gundy. "I think that shows a lot of class. Their defensive coordinator (Ruffin McNeil) walked all the way out on the field to check on him.

"It’s not surprising that they have a lot of guys on their staff who have a lot of class. But I think that’s very important for the game of football."

Oklahoma St. Cowboy Leftovers:  LAJ's Don Williams report card and writes that the Red Raiders left Stillwater frustrated . . . DT's Alex Ybarra blames inconsistent quarterback play . . .

Oklahoma Sooner and Big 12 Links:  NewsOK's David Ubben asks and answers 4 questions about OU football . . . NewsOK's Jake Trotter breaks down Texas Tech . . . FWST's Jimmy Burch predicts the bowl situation in the Big 12 . . .

3-0:  The men's basketball team won the Duel in the Desert by beating the Oregon St. Beavers, 64-60 (box score) and G David Tairu was named the tournament's MVP after scoring 17 of his 19 points in the second half.  For the year, Tairu is averaging 14 points a game, which is right behind SF Mike Singletary's 14.67 PPG.  LAJ's Courtney Linehan and DT's Mike Graham recap yesterday's action and Tairu believes that this accolade is a team effort:

"It really doesn’t mean anything," Tairu said. "It’s really a team effort. It’s one of those things that you’re glad that you have it but there’s really more of a team aspect of it."

And Pat Knight compares this weekend to an old Meatloaf song:

"Coming into this with three games like they are, your goal is always to win three," Texas Tech coach Pat Knight said. "But like the old Meat Loaf song, two out of three ain’t bad. If something had happened tonight I still would have been proud of these guys, but now it goes from a good weekend to a great weekend."

Linehan also has a notebook:  Knight talks about PF Darko Cohadarevic and C Robert Lewandowski sharing time, although Lew hasn't seen much time this year:

"We’ve got to get Lewandowski going because Darko’s not going to be able to go 40 minutes a game," Knight said. "My concern right now is to get Lew going, get his mind right. He played so well for us last year. If we get both of them going it would be nice."

. . . Okorie was out for Saturday night's game for personal reasons, or some such:

"Sometimes a kids got to grow up a little bit," Knight said after Saturday’s game.

 . . . and Pat Knight likes Tairu's athleticism:

Knight said he recruited Tairu because of his unbelievable athleticism. A player who can get anywhere on the court to take an open shot, he said, can just as naturally track his defensive assignment.

"It always gives you a chance," Knight said. "Athletes, even if they screw up, they can recover."