Some thoughts on the Texas Tech basketball team from @C. Level
... Chris Beard’s players dive on the floor and do so repeatedly if needed. Matt Mooney did that today and, as it’s happening, I’m thinking to myself that you’d never see someone in burnt orange do that. Beard asks his players to play as hard as they possibly can and they often do for him. For this team to succeed he’s got to have that because, as we have all seen, they are thin in several areas. It’s like squeezing water out of a rock at times but Beard gets it done.
... This program’s fans, even when outnumbered in road arenas, out cheer the home team and that’s why CB loves this job and university so much. The fan base is *so* supportive and they are heard. Trust me, that’s why he thinks this job is different. Passion from the fan base. Dallas last year, New York this year and today in Austin. Don’t ever forget that when you wonder if he’d ever leave Texas Tech. As long as fans remain that way and engaged, he’s quite happy here.
... This is a coach that keeps it fun. No one is having more fun than CB is and I love that about this run right now. It’s part of why they’ve been so successful. I wish I could share everything there but trust me, they work hard and enjoy it when it pays off.
... Beard expects a lot. The amount of information these players consume and execute is fascinating to me going into each game. Today was no different. It wasn’t perfect but it was close. Kerwin Roach’s drives and lobs to Jackson Hayes are just tough to defend. Same with the Roach or Coleman’s drives and kick outs to Febres. But bullet dodged.
.... He openly talks about goals and doesn’t shy away from history with his team, even when it isn’t good. He talks about playing in April quite a bit too. That will happen at some point, too.
.... For CB, this season is all about (in many ways) getting Matt Mooney and Tariq Owens to the NCAA Tournament. Those players took a chance on coming here and it’s all they talk about in group settings. Watching Matt and Tariq do their thing today, I couldn’t help thinking about that, a lot. #moonswag #yup
... Wednesday night should be as rowdy as Kansas game was last year. Iowa State is coming off of two-straight losses and the Cyclones will throw quite a punch at the Red Raiders. This team will need the home crowd in a big way.
... Re: Deshawn Corprew, I think he has a calf strain but he could play on Wednesday night, too. Stay tuned.
... Another Big 12 note: That Tristan Clark news at Baylor is massive. It’s a huge blow for the Bears and I will be interested to see how they try and compensate without him for the rest of the season.
... Chris Beard’s players dive on the floor and do so repeatedly if needed. Matt Mooney did that today and, as it’s happening, I’m thinking to myself that you’d never see someone in burnt orange do that. Beard asks his players to play as hard as they possibly can and they often do for him. For this team to succeed he’s got to have that because, as we have all seen, they are thin in several areas. It’s like squeezing water out of a rock at times but Beard gets it done.
... This program’s fans, even when outnumbered in road arenas, out cheer the home team and that’s why CB loves this job and university so much. The fan base is *so* supportive and they are heard. Trust me, that’s why he thinks this job is different. Passion from the fan base. Dallas last year, New York this year and today in Austin. Don’t ever forget that when you wonder if he’d ever leave Texas Tech. As long as fans remain that way and engaged, he’s quite happy here.
... This is a coach that keeps it fun. No one is having more fun than CB is and I love that about this run right now. It’s part of why they’ve been so successful. I wish I could share everything there but trust me, they work hard and enjoy it when it pays off.
... Beard expects a lot. The amount of information these players consume and execute is fascinating to me going into each game. Today was no different. It wasn’t perfect but it was close. Kerwin Roach’s drives and lobs to Jackson Hayes are just tough to defend. Same with the Roach or Coleman’s drives and kick outs to Febres. But bullet dodged.
.... He openly talks about goals and doesn’t shy away from history with his team, even when it isn’t good. He talks about playing in April quite a bit too. That will happen at some point, too.
.... For CB, this season is all about (in many ways) getting Matt Mooney and Tariq Owens to the NCAA Tournament. Those players took a chance on coming here and it’s all they talk about in group settings. Watching Matt and Tariq do their thing today, I couldn’t help thinking about that, a lot. #moonswag #yup
... Wednesday night should be as rowdy as Kansas game was last year. Iowa State is coming off of two-straight losses and the Cyclones will throw quite a punch at the Red Raiders. This team will need the home crowd in a big way.
... Re: Deshawn Corprew, I think he has a calf strain but he could play on Wednesday night, too. Stay tuned.
... Another Big 12 note: That Tristan Clark news at Baylor is massive. It’s a huge blow for the Bears and I will be interested to see how they try and compensate without him for the rest of the season.
