Post Game Thoughts :: Texas Tech Red Raiders 87, Mississippi Rebels 90 - 2 OT
by Seth C on Mar 24, 2010 6:09 AM CDT
in Texas Tech Basketball
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PrintResult :: Loss : Texas Tech 87- Mississippi 90 2 OT : SB Nation Box Score
Record :: 19-16, 4-12
Up Next :: None
The Result :: Fitting: I didn't have any faith that this team would beat Seton Hall, Jacksonville and this game against Ole Miss. I'm really not a pessimistic fan by nature, but I became one this year with this basketball team To give them credit, towards the end of the year, this team won games that I didn't think they would, and as a result, that give me some hope. Hope is a good thing especially when I think the entire fanbase was ready to give up on this coach and this team. At the very least, they played hard for 3 games to end the season, and of course you would have rather have seen this team play hard during the conference and win more conference games, but at least they're still fighting, which makes me think that Pat Knight hasn't lost this team. In fact, after the game, Knight had this to say about both teams:
"You saw two teams tonight that were proud to be in the NIT, and it was a hell of a game," Knight said. "Our kids have been unbelievable with the way they've hung in there and finished the season the way we did."
The Storylines ::
A Healthy Roberts Makes a Huge Difference: I've really dismissed the PF D`Walyn Roberts injury, not giving it enough thought or crediting this team's sometimes poor play, but it's somewhat amazing what this team is capable of doing with a healthy Roberts. When he is healthy, I feel like this team can compete athletically with quite a few teams. Without his athleticism, this team looks below average, athletically. Roberts finished the game with 12 points, 17 boards, 5 blocks, 3 assists, 2 steals and 0 TO's. Of course, Roberts also missed some gimmie shots, one that would have won the game, so he's got room to improve, but this is a completely different team when he plays.
More storylines after the jump.
Roberson Struggles: Perhaps PG John Roberson's worst game of the season. I hesitate to write that if he even his 1/3 of his shots, Texas Tech wins this game, but without Roberson's scoring, Texas Tech shouldn't have even had a chance. Roberson made 1 of 11 from the floor, including 1 of 8 from 3-point range. Roberson was by far the team's best ball-handler last night, but he could have been better, notching 5 assists and 5 TO's for the game. And PK hopes that this motivates Roberson heading into the offseason:
"It better motivate him," Knight said. "If you're a competitor and want to win, a game like that better motivate you."
Coaching: There was talk during the game-day thread about some of the coaching decisions, namely the decision to full-court press in the second overtime, which eventually allowed Ole Miss to take the win. I think that what PK was trying to do was force Ole Miss to take time off the clock, of course, all of us know that this team never defends full-court, which is a huge issue. In hindsight, I think I would have had one guy in and around the in-bounds pass (probably Tairu), would have forced the clock to start and then had the rest of the team set up to play some defense, namely Roberts under the basket to defend it. I was upset last night too, but as much as PK wants last night's game to motivate him, I hope it also motivates PK to take a look at himself and what he can do better.
Stepping Up: A number of players had good games to end their season. SF Mike Singletary had 28 points on 11 of 16 field goals, 8 boards, 4 assists, and 4 TO's. SF Brad Reese carried this team in the 2nd half, going 5 for 10 for 14 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 blocks and 3 turnovers. I've already mentioned Roberts dominating game and as a result, I hope that each one of these players work hard during the offseason and improve their game. There's plenty of players that will need to step-up, and we'll talk about this during a long offseason, but there's lots of room for improvement.
The MVP :: PF D`Walyn Roberts and SF Mike Singletary: Roberts was absolutely a monster on the glass and defensively. He wasn't perfect, but 17 rebounds is amazing. Singletary's efficient day scoring is encouraging and I hope he takes it into the offseason.
Four Factors, Player Impact, Stat Comparison and Game Flow: Terrific graphs from StatSheet:
Four Factors:
Player Impact:
Stat Comparison:
Game Flow:
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Anyone who thinks last night's game showed anything good about Raider ball should be on meds....
However, if you like a motion(less) offense that stands around, does not drive the lane, does not pass and move, refuses to screen then you are golden. The same can be said for defense(less) showing on their end of the court. Why in the hell singletary is allowed to refuse – absolutely refuse – to play defense is beyond me. sure he can shoot if he is open, but the only way he gets open is for his defender to get bored standing on the right side with him.
Pat Knight and his coaching staff has done an absolutely horrible job of either understanding basketball at the college level or of teaching it, or both. Any decent high school team knows how to break a press. We, on the other hand look like a cow staring at a new gate. We continually struggle with the inbounds on a press and getting the ball upcourt on the slightest amount of pressure.
I expect a hell of a lot more for $1.2 mill. We will not get any better until we get a real AD and coaching staff.
"There's going to be ups and downs but you have to enjoy the battle." Mike Leach
Look like a cow staring at a new gate
Is that like deer in the headlights look? I almost hit one this morning going to work. I love it Blacbeard and the comments are right on.
"I find I'm so excited. I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it's the excitment only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain. I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope." Red-Shawshank Redemption
Yep, its the kind of look I have grown to expect from myers and company.
"There's going to be ups and downs but you have to enjoy the battle." Mike Leach
The way Roberson was playing...
I thought we might not be hurt too much when he fouled out. Then Okorie decided he could break the press by dribbling with his knees. And our ability to break the press is only slightly overshadowed by our absolutely dismal performance all season in end of game situations. How many times have I seen Roberson dribble 20 seconds off the clock and jack one up from 40 feet? Too many.
On the other hand though, I think Brad Reese is the x-factor for this team next year. When he shows up, good things happen. We will need some consistency from him next year.
Its absolutely maddening watching
Singletary play defense. He either had no intention of getting infront of Holloway on that last layup, or he had a seizure. How does PK put up with that crap?
by ttuvault615 on Mar 24, 2010 10:43 AM CDT up reply actions
Not only men but women also.
Pat Knight was hired as heir to the bench before his father even quit (suddenly in the middle of the season). Myers can really pick em. The one he didn’t pick was Krista Gerlich, heir apparent to Marsha Sharp. The former point guard for the National Champion Lady Raiders moved on to WT in Canyon, TX ,after being passed over by Gerald, and has taken that school to every NCAA playoff since she has been there. Further, I have it on good authority that as long as Gerald is seated on his throne, she will never be asked to coach at Tech. The turnstiles show around 700-1000 fans a game for the ladies. Krista could instantly bring that to 10,000. Gerald, please go away. Before your pall drains AT&T Jones Stadium as well.
I think the women's program is head and shoulders above the men's at this point
with the women, I can see depth being developed.
women should put pictures of missing husbands on beer cans
Has any player developed
Into a consistent contributor? I can’t think of one and that scares me.
" I crammed 4 years of Tech into 5"- me
by oldschoolraider on Mar 24, 2010 8:34 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
To add, I thought the motion of
The offense got progressively worse through the season. Even early games we lost, I was encouraged by having an identity….not so much the last half of the season.
" I crammed 4 years of Tech into 5"- me
by oldschoolraider on Mar 24, 2010 8:37 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Tough to watch...
I haven’t added much to the bball discussion this year since I didn’t really see any games. Now I know why. That was incredibly frustrating to watch. I like the fact that we came back in the second half, which isn’t our nature. But that had more to do with Ole Miss taking a nap than us stepping up our game.
The turnovers were not just bad, they were downright embarrassing…throwing it directly to the other team, throwing it off a teammate’s foot, throwing it into the crowd, acting like they had never seen a press before…ugh!
Ole Miss was simply the better bad team last night.
They snatched defeat from the jaws of victory
Oh dear. We had em. It is a testament to poor coaching. To lead by 8 with the ball and 90 seconds to go then end up in overtime is ridiculous. Sad really.
Very frustrating!
Anyone think they are actually teaching the 20-30 foot pass as an effective way to break a press? Not getting past the press is big on the list.
But don’t lose site of how many time we simply seemed to pass the ball to the other team late in the game and in OT.
I was hopeful after the ref T’d up their coach. But then we just made stupid, stupid plays. And even with that, if our guy (can’t remember who it was) dunks the ball at the end of the game we win! Why try the finese lay-up there? Freaking thrown it down big-man! Geez
I’m probably in the minority here, but I will say I’m proud the got through 2 rounds and had a solid chance to go to NY. I was concerned we’d get blown out by Ole Miss.
IMWTx
"We thought we were too good to play Texas Effin' A&M" -Leach et al
by imisswesttexas on Mar 24, 2010 10:40 AM CDT reply actions
the only ting I am proud of is that we are one day closer to
myers retiring and getting a real AD
"There's going to be ups and downs but you have to enjoy the battle." Mike Leach
It was stupid.
We had too many opportunities to win the game to count. And we didn’t take advantage of any of them. Extremely frustrating.
I was happy we won 2
And we played hard as well, but there was nothing in these three games that I saw that the experience will make us a better and stronger team next year. I got to believe those other coaches from the Big 12 that said that are already picking us 9th at best next year.
"I find I'm so excited. I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it's the excitment only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain. I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope." Red-Shawshank Redemption
Ugh
Man…we could have put them away TWICE but we let them hang around and we ended up imploding in like the last 2 minutes. GAH!!!!!! i hope were better next season…but then i dont wanna give PK a extension if we do end up being better. Tech basketball program as whole is just a big headache.
Need. Football. Now.
What do you call a Serbian with an insatiable desire for sweets with only one nad (in his throat)?
CHOCOHOLICINADINHISNECKDARKOINSKIVICHSKI
A healthy Roberts makes this team a much MUCH better team in terms of providing a presence in the lane to snatch rebounds.
Singletary had a good game, but these type of performances need to be consistent and not streaky. He’s improving his game alot since he’s been here and he will be a tough Senior to guard next year for other teams.
Roberson needs to step up his game and provide more points. I like the way Roberson handles the ball and sees the open lanes, but he needs to work hard over the off-season to be a more consistent shooter for this team. He’s the best point guard our team has right now but consistency is what seperates the James Anderson’s and Ronald Ross’s from the good point guards in the league.
I do like the fact that Brad Reese, David Tairu, and Theron Jenkins are all capable of scoring double-digits though. If these guys can improve on their game during the off-season it will certainly give our team a strong bench and choices to use in our starting lineup.
I do hope Pat Knight develops Cooper next year into a good post forward though. Our team needs bigger guys to compete with the Udoh’s of this league. Big Lew is a good guy to have on our squad in terms of depth but we desperately need a dominant post presence. And that’s just the bottom line.
I’m also looking forward at seeing Jaye play some ball next year since he red-shirted this season.
3 new recruits come in (Plus Jaye Crockett), and 7 seniors next season. Let’s see if that leadership shines next season.
To me next season is the last year I’m giving Pat Knight to prove himself in this league. He was good for non-conference play but something needs to be changed when he plays against other Big 12 teams. Winning 4 conference games is just unacceptable. Next Season he should set a goal of at least doubling that number of wins….and perhaps surpass 10 wins. That would give me confidence that he’s at least doing something.
2011 I’m not sure where this program is going to be though. Too many guys are going to be gone, and that squad will be very VERY young.
I really don't see how you can say that Singletary is improving his game and will be tough to guard as a senior
this year the kid went totally south on defense (which by the way is half of the college game). This is not the NBA which does not play defense. Neither does he participate in the “motion” offense. If you watch he slides down on the wing and waits from someone to get him the ball, rarely sets screens and only occasionally goes inside. He would be great at Angelo State, but not in the B12.
"There's going to be ups and downs but you have to enjoy the battle." Mike Leach
I was just thinking that SingleT had a much WORSE season than last as well.
But I also think PK had a horrible final 2 minutes, and I feel bad today for Roberson who redefined the term “choke”… Was just painful to watch.
"Winning isn't everything"... Bob Knight
by raider realist on Mar 24, 2010 3:24 PM CDT up reply actions
That's Texas Tech San Angelo?
"I find I'm so excited. I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it's the excitment only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain. I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope." Red-Shawshank Redemption
Just doubling 4 in Big 12 sucks for Air
If next year is supposed to be the year with all the experience on the team then we shoud be competing for Big 12 Championship and pushing for a Sweet 16 run. I know winning two can be hard in the Big Dance but at least we can push. Otherwise, PK should be gone. Of course, I think he should be gone now. Gerald should be gone too but we can’t all have a nice Christmas.
"I find I'm so excited. I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it's the excitment only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain. I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope." Red-Shawshank Redemption
GM doesn’t have the balls to fire PK. PK will stick around as long as GM does
by tony1979 on Mar 25, 2010 12:56 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I dont think I like
Myers jersey number hanging up in the USA.
What do you call a Serbian with an insatiable desire for sweets with only one nad (in his throat)?
CHOCOHOLICINADINHISNECKDARKOINSKIVICHSKI
I think it would be ok if
he were hanging in it.
"There's going to be ups and downs but you have to enjoy the battle." Mike Leach
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