Just a few thoughts.....
*Ive been to a lot of games at the USA, but I can't recall one where both teams scrapped, fought, clawed, and brawled their way through a contest, neck and neck the whole way. It was just an exhausting game to even watch. Kudos to both teams for that. These are the two most veteran heavy teams in the conference, and they got into an absolute slug match.
*But I tell you guys what: The effort expended and sacrificed by the Red Raiders to win this game was just something else. They never flinched in the face of WVU, and they matched their intensity the whole way. Any time WVU would hit a big shot, make a hustle play on defense, or create a break, Tech answered right back.
*And that all goes right back to the culture that Coach Beard and his staff have created. They absolutely expect relentless play on both ends at all times from every guy on the court, and they got it tonight.
*The prime example I want to focus on defensively is Shadell Millinghaus. I've called him a junk yard dog before, and he earned that moniker defending Jevon Carter tonight, who has arguably been the best all around overall guard in the Big 12 so far this season. In fact, he basically shut down Carter in the second half and wasn't afraid to talk some FIERCE trash while doing it. Shaudy gets my gold star on defense tonight.
*Tech only turned it over 13 times in an OT game against West Virginia, who is averaging making teams turn it over 26 times in regulation. That's why Tech really won this game, and much of that has to do with the way Devon Thomas and Zach Smith were able to handle the press off the in-bound initially tonight. Thomas is a player with the athleticism required to break it, and Smith had one of his best games as a ball handler running up court when WVU was forcing him to do so. Great effort by both those guys and the rest of the team against the press.
*While he had a few drives he'd like back, I thought Niem Stevenson had his grow up game tonight. He ended up with 13 points, had 4 assists, and never turned it over. In fact, Tech doesn't win without his clutch shooting. HUGE game for Stevenson. So glad to see him rise to the occasion.
*Didnt think Anthony Livingston was ready to be a big time shooter in the Big 12? Welp.
*Coach Beard and his staff have continually talked about the fact that they expected to compete in the Big 12 right out of the gate in year one. Their win tonight over a hot WVU team that's gonna be as tough an out as anyone in the conference validates that. They can play with anyone in this conference. Now we see how much they can capitalize on that known fact.
*Ive been to a lot of games at the USA, but I can't recall one where both teams scrapped, fought, clawed, and brawled their way through a contest, neck and neck the whole way. It was just an exhausting game to even watch. Kudos to both teams for that. These are the two most veteran heavy teams in the conference, and they got into an absolute slug match.
*But I tell you guys what: The effort expended and sacrificed by the Red Raiders to win this game was just something else. They never flinched in the face of WVU, and they matched their intensity the whole way. Any time WVU would hit a big shot, make a hustle play on defense, or create a break, Tech answered right back.
*And that all goes right back to the culture that Coach Beard and his staff have created. They absolutely expect relentless play on both ends at all times from every guy on the court, and they got it tonight.
*The prime example I want to focus on defensively is Shadell Millinghaus. I've called him a junk yard dog before, and he earned that moniker defending Jevon Carter tonight, who has arguably been the best all around overall guard in the Big 12 so far this season. In fact, he basically shut down Carter in the second half and wasn't afraid to talk some FIERCE trash while doing it. Shaudy gets my gold star on defense tonight.
*Tech only turned it over 13 times in an OT game against West Virginia, who is averaging making teams turn it over 26 times in regulation. That's why Tech really won this game, and much of that has to do with the way Devon Thomas and Zach Smith were able to handle the press off the in-bound initially tonight. Thomas is a player with the athleticism required to break it, and Smith had one of his best games as a ball handler running up court when WVU was forcing him to do so. Great effort by both those guys and the rest of the team against the press.
*While he had a few drives he'd like back, I thought Niem Stevenson had his grow up game tonight. He ended up with 13 points, had 4 assists, and never turned it over. In fact, Tech doesn't win without his clutch shooting. HUGE game for Stevenson. So glad to see him rise to the occasion.
*Didnt think Anthony Livingston was ready to be a big time shooter in the Big 12? Welp.
*Coach Beard and his staff have continually talked about the fact that they expected to compete in the Big 12 right out of the gate in year one. Their win tonight over a hot WVU team that's gonna be as tough an out as anyone in the conference validates that. They can play with anyone in this conference. Now we see how much they can capitalize on that known fact.
