*So 19-11 and 9-9 in Big 12 play, huh? If I would've hopped in a time machine and told myself that last October, I would've dismissed it. Now? The Red Raiders are dancing, and Tubby Smith shows just why he's gonna be a hall of famer.
*Sure, this group makes mistakes, and they have hard times against some of the bigger teams, but when you see them scratch and claw, get aggressive offensively in the paint, play tough defense, and find rhythm in transition, they transform into a force on both ends of the court. It's hard to maintain that level of intensity throughout entire games, but when you see the switch flip like it did to close out the first half, Tech can play with just about anyone in the country.
*How bout D-Will on senior day? He got his first start in a good while, and he had one of his best offensive performances of the year with 20 points. You hope that gets him going heading into postseason play.
*This team plays entirely different basketball as a whole depending on if Keenan Evans plays well at the point. When he gets assists and scores - which he did today - this team is really good on offense. When he's out of sorts, things sputter along. Good Evans = good Tech hoops.
*Can any of y'all remember a guy at Tech like Zach Smith that everyone is just waiting on to posterize folks? His dunks give this team energy and life, and he makes everyone watching jaw-drop at least once a game with shattering dunks. So much damn fun to watch.
*I thought Norense's two jumpers really got this team going. He played fine for a guy that's been benched for weeks, and I would guess his minutes start going up rapidly in short order.
*Finally, what a day for Toddrick Gotcher, and one he deserves more than just about any other Red Raider ive been around. Hit several clutch shots, gave Tech their first lead, locked his team in for an NCAA bid, and he asked his girlfriend to marry him on Senior Day. They don't draw up days much better than that.
*Sure, this group makes mistakes, and they have hard times against some of the bigger teams, but when you see them scratch and claw, get aggressive offensively in the paint, play tough defense, and find rhythm in transition, they transform into a force on both ends of the court. It's hard to maintain that level of intensity throughout entire games, but when you see the switch flip like it did to close out the first half, Tech can play with just about anyone in the country.
*How bout D-Will on senior day? He got his first start in a good while, and he had one of his best offensive performances of the year with 20 points. You hope that gets him going heading into postseason play.
*This team plays entirely different basketball as a whole depending on if Keenan Evans plays well at the point. When he gets assists and scores - which he did today - this team is really good on offense. When he's out of sorts, things sputter along. Good Evans = good Tech hoops.
*Can any of y'all remember a guy at Tech like Zach Smith that everyone is just waiting on to posterize folks? His dunks give this team energy and life, and he makes everyone watching jaw-drop at least once a game with shattering dunks. So much damn fun to watch.
*I thought Norense's two jumpers really got this team going. He played fine for a guy that's been benched for weeks, and I would guess his minutes start going up rapidly in short order.
*Finally, what a day for Toddrick Gotcher, and one he deserves more than just about any other Red Raider ive been around. Hit several clutch shots, gave Tech their first lead, locked his team in for an NCAA bid, and he asked his girlfriend to marry him on Senior Day. They don't draw up days much better than that.
