Post Game Thoughts :: Texas Tech Red Raiders 72, Oklahoma Sooners 71

by Seth C on Feb 10, 2010 5:23 AM CST in Basketball Comment 11 comments

Result :: Win : 72-71 : SB Nation Box Score
Record :: 16-7, 4-5
Big 12 Standings :: 7th (tied with Oklahoma St. and Oklahoma)
Up Next :: 02/13/2010 : Texas A&M Aggies : 17-6, 6-3

The Result :: Shocking. I admit that I've somewhat lost a little bit of faith with this team being able to compete on a consistent basis, especially on the road. I thought a win in Norman was going to be incredibly tough, especially considering how the Sooners took care of Texas over the weekend. And although the game could have been lost a handful of times, it just didn't happen, and I'm pleasantly and happily surprised. A couple of thoughts about the game presentation. First, I actually enjoyed listening to the announcers. I thought the color announcer was pretty knowledgable. Second, I thought this was an incredibly evenly called game. The disparity in free throws was only in OU's favor by 2 and there were missed calls, but I thought it was the right mix of letting the players play and keeping the game under control.

The Storylines ::

Out-Toughing OU: The one thing that I've always admired and hated about Jeff Capel's OU teams is that they were always an incredibly tough team to play. Not dirty, but rather that they played in your jock all night long and made things incredibly tough. I didn't get to settle into the game until about 18 minutes to go in the first half, and the one thing that started to settle in with me was the fact that Texas Tech was tougher than OU, especially in the first half, whether it was manning up or getting on the boards early and often and not giving the Sooners an opportunity at any second looks. The Red Raiders did an excellent job of holding Mason-Griffin to 9 points on 13 shots and with the rest of the OU offense dependent on Mason-Griffin making things happen. For whatever reason, prior to these last few games, the Texas Tech defense fell back into the 2008-2009 standards. These last few games, holding OSU to 39% and the Sooners to 42% has instilled in me some faith in this team.

Those Who Usually Don't, Did: I wasn't sure I was watching the right Texas Tech game as we got to see PF Robert Lewandowski score 5 points, grab 5 rebounds and mix in 4 fouls for the game. And bakup PG Mike Davis, who's consistently seen minutes since he stepped on campus is starting to get into the flow of playing in the Big 12. Keep in mind that Davis has been almost non-existent during Big 12 play, but he actually had an okay night, getting a bucket, a steal, an assist and a turnover. I mentioned before the game, that Texas Tech needed guys like SG Nick Okorie, SG David Tairu and SF Brad Reese to come up big and even though Reese's game frustrates me to no end, Okorie scored 8 points, grabbed 4 boards (2 offensive), and only turned the ball over once. Tairu finished with 9 points, 3 boards (all 3 offensive) and zero turnovers for the night.

Getting to the Dance: If this team is going to think about playing in the NCAA Tournament, it has to win some games on the road and get back to .500 in conference play. The remaining road games are Baylor, Nebraska and Colorado, while the remaining home games are the Aggies (this weekend), Texas, Kansas St. and Baylor. It isn't going to be easy, but this team must hold serve at home and that's not going to be easy. LAJ's Courtney Linehan writes that PG John Roberson understands how important a road win actually is:

"We’re trying to get to the tournament this year, and we really needed this road win," Tech point guard John Roberson said. "It puts us at 4-5 (in conference games), and hopefully we can keep this streak alive on Saturday at home."

The MVP :: PF Darko Cohadarevic: It would be real easy to give it to Roberson again, but Darko was 6 of 10 from the floor for 12 points to go along with 8 rebounds for the night. If Texas Tech can get that performance from Darko on a consistent basis then Texas Tech's chances of winning a few more games increases.

Four Factors, Player Impact, Stat Comparison and Game Flow: Terrific graphs from StatSheet after the jump:

Four Factors:

Player Impact:

Stat Comparison:

Game Flow:

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Comments

spot on analysis

While Singletary was a bit lacking he hit a 3 in the clutch. Darko looked more intense and played very well. Proud of this bunch

"There's going to be ups and downs but you have to enjoy the battle." Mike Leach

by blackbeard on Feb 10, 2010 6:06 AM CST via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Big 12

Deserves the #1 rpi it has, more for depth than anything else. Singletary didn’t have a good game, and to get a win despite that is huge. It seems any decent inside presence seems to propel us to a win.

" I crammed 4 years of Tech into 5"- me

by oldschoolraider on Feb 10, 2010 7:23 AM CST via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Tech apparently is up to #29 on RPI

and plays A&M which is # 19….there are no breaks in the big 12. We won’t survive with a W if Singeltary doesn’t have an impact.

" I crammed 4 years of Tech into 5"- me

by oldschoolraider on Feb 10, 2010 10:58 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The MVP

Come on, John Roberson deserves this. His stats were 6-9 FG, 3-4 3PT, 7-7 FT giving him 22 points and adding 4 assists. He hit shots every time Oklahoma was going on a run to quiet the crowd, and knew when it was crunch time he had to take the ball to the hole. Darko played a good game that was beyond any of his normal outings and was a key factor in the win, but Roberson stole the show (just ask any Sooner who was the best Tech player on the court last night).

by DanSwany on Feb 10, 2010 8:10 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Any time we are surprised with a win, the thought consistent cannot apply.

I am happily surprised. I did not really see a story in the stats, they kind of reinforce the thought that this was simply a tough against tough game.

A win on the road is an achievement.

What is the reward for this team to be in the NCAA’s?

Sometimes a river boat can out run a pirate ship.

by TallMike on Feb 10, 2010 8:27 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

A "Get out of the Shed Free" card

"Well, outside of Lubbock, expectations aren't very high. But it's okay, we play in Lubbock a lot this season"
-Mike Leach

by San Antonio Red Raider on Feb 10, 2010 11:52 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Nearly gave it away in those last few posessions....

I thought Roberson did a good job of running the offense most of the night, but we fell apart in the last couple of minutes. I think in our last 4 possessions the best shot was a contested Roberson jumper off the dribble. Then there were the turnovers.

I haven’t been able to watch as much bball as I would have liked this year, but I was at the Washington game and it was the same story. Out play them for most of the night only to blow the lead in the last few minutes with ridiculous turnovers leading to easy baskets.

by RaiderArch on Feb 10, 2010 8:50 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Correction...

Our last 4 possessions went as follows -

Singletary layup
Roberson missed jumper
Singletary turnover (why was he trying to dribble out the clock at half court?)
Roberson turnover (passes it to nobody)

by RaiderArch on Feb 10, 2010 9:08 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I agree that the last few minutes were pretty bad. The 4 point play made me want to kick a puppy. Also the couple of offensive fouls by Darko and Singletary plowing through guys and the inability to get the ball up the court against OU’s full court press was pretty frustrating and just fueled OU’s near comeback. It was relieving to see our guys hang on for the win, though.

Freethrows, baby! 15-16 for the game in a one-point win is HUGE. This is something that definitely needs to continue. OU wasn’t bad at 72%, but Tech’s 94% undeniably won the game for them.

Think back to the Mizzou game that went to OT because Tech only shot 55% compared to Mizzou’s 78%. Also against Wichita St., they out shot Tech at tthe free throw line 82% to 72%. If Tech wants to succeed and win these close games, free throws are where it’s at.

The good news is that Tech’s road games are all winnable and the toughest games will be at home. The past couple wins are solid wins, but not big enough to get big heads…hopefully. The guys just need to keep up the intensity and limit the bonehead mistakes like letting Singletary and Darko run a fast break.

by pcrawttu on Feb 10, 2010 9:13 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Win over 0U

The reward for this team making it to the NCAA would be experience for next year TallMike. Unlike the last few games they have lost they managed to win, which builds confidence for your next outing and hopefully down the stretch. Here’s hoping they can find that early season success as they finish out the second half of the season.

by 2 CENTS on Feb 10, 2010 10:21 AM CST reply actions 0 recs