10. Texas Tech
Not only did Texas Tech break Houston’s nation-leading 32-game home winning streak and do it without leading scorer JT Toppin and coach Grant McCasland — both of whom were ejected three minutes, 50 seconds in after Toppin accidentally kicked Joseph Tugler in the groin — the Red Raiders adjusted their game plan to do something you just don’t do against Houston: going at the Cougars in isolation.Prior to Saturday, Houston was allowing 0.584 points per possession in isolation this season, according to Synergy. Only once in the last two seasons had anyone scored in double digits in iso plays against the Cougars, and that was Texas Tech, with 10 points on isos last season. No team this year had scored more than seven.
The Red Raiders scored 17 points on 12 isolation plays for a 1.42 points per possession success rate. They picked out matchups they liked, spread the floor and went at the Cougars. Look at the intentional spacing here with three shooters off the ball:
Texas Tech’s offense excels in transition and pick-and-roll, but without Toppin and going against an elite defense, this why-would-you-try-it-against-Houston strategy ended up winning the game. Texas Tech went a perfect 4 for 4 in overtime, scoring nine points on iso plays, including six points for Chance McMillian. And get this: The senior guard had scored only five points on iso plays all season.
