Just wanted to share a few thoughts tonight...
*First, it was a must win, and they took care of business. They got gut checked by the Sooners a few times, but the Red Raiders stood up and answered all night long. That's the most encouraging thing for me from this game. They knew what they had to do, and they stepped up when they had to do it.
*But don't think there was much celebrating going on in the locker room after this W. There wasn't. I know Coach Beard met with the team afterwards, essentially said, "Welp, had to get it. Got it. On to the next one." This group knows they can't settle now. They have to put the petal to the metal the rest of the way out.
*I know Coach Beard really challenged this group after the UT game to simply step up to the plate. This team is currently built to win when it gets good performances from the group as a whole, and when anyone that's a starter or key backup slacks, this team flat out has a hard time winning. Balance is the key. Tonight, they had five guys score in double digits, the team knocked down most of their shots, they didn't turn it over for the most part, and they limited OU's best players in the paint. Balance. This team has to have it, and they did it tonight.
*But I think that's also been the frustrating thing about this team so far this season. They play up and down to their competition. It's been a roller coaster trying to string together consistent performances. Now they have no choice but to keep playing well collectively. No one that's a real contributor can have an off night because this team doesn't have a guy you can ask to be superman. I think Keenan Evans, Niem Stevenson, Justin Gray, and Zach Smith are all players that have that potential deep down inside them, but they can't do it at will right now. OU has those players. OSU, TCU, K-State, Kansas, Baylor, West Virginia, Texas, and Iowa State do. And that's just the reality right now. Team play. It has to be good across the board to win.
*That being said, It's been so much fun over the last few weeks to see the lightbulb really start flickering on for Niem Stevenson. He's really starting to figure things out offensively, and I thought he looked the most comfortable he has all season tonight. He ran the offense well, was smart with his decisions, knocked down some open looks, had one helluva drive and score at the basket, and played with great effort on defense, pulling in an impressive 7 rebounds. I'm telling ya'll, Niem has real big time talent. It's really starting to flash now. I predict he has a big game down the stretch this season at some point that turns all of our heads.
*Offensively, much like against LSU, I thought Tech did a really good job for the most part. I really liked how they passed it around, and guys took a lot of good shots tonight, whether they be from three, jumpers, or driving. This group is finally starting to get really comfortable in this offense, and you can tell. If they'll keep knocking down open looks and making good decisions, this team will be fine on that end.
*Defensively, I thought Tech did a great job making it tough on Odomes and Woodard inside, which they didn't do in Norman. The defensive rotations with help D and closing out on threes was mostly much better, especially in the first half.
*First, it was a must win, and they took care of business. They got gut checked by the Sooners a few times, but the Red Raiders stood up and answered all night long. That's the most encouraging thing for me from this game. They knew what they had to do, and they stepped up when they had to do it.
*But don't think there was much celebrating going on in the locker room after this W. There wasn't. I know Coach Beard met with the team afterwards, essentially said, "Welp, had to get it. Got it. On to the next one." This group knows they can't settle now. They have to put the petal to the metal the rest of the way out.
*I know Coach Beard really challenged this group after the UT game to simply step up to the plate. This team is currently built to win when it gets good performances from the group as a whole, and when anyone that's a starter or key backup slacks, this team flat out has a hard time winning. Balance is the key. Tonight, they had five guys score in double digits, the team knocked down most of their shots, they didn't turn it over for the most part, and they limited OU's best players in the paint. Balance. This team has to have it, and they did it tonight.
*But I think that's also been the frustrating thing about this team so far this season. They play up and down to their competition. It's been a roller coaster trying to string together consistent performances. Now they have no choice but to keep playing well collectively. No one that's a real contributor can have an off night because this team doesn't have a guy you can ask to be superman. I think Keenan Evans, Niem Stevenson, Justin Gray, and Zach Smith are all players that have that potential deep down inside them, but they can't do it at will right now. OU has those players. OSU, TCU, K-State, Kansas, Baylor, West Virginia, Texas, and Iowa State do. And that's just the reality right now. Team play. It has to be good across the board to win.
*That being said, It's been so much fun over the last few weeks to see the lightbulb really start flickering on for Niem Stevenson. He's really starting to figure things out offensively, and I thought he looked the most comfortable he has all season tonight. He ran the offense well, was smart with his decisions, knocked down some open looks, had one helluva drive and score at the basket, and played with great effort on defense, pulling in an impressive 7 rebounds. I'm telling ya'll, Niem has real big time talent. It's really starting to flash now. I predict he has a big game down the stretch this season at some point that turns all of our heads.
*Offensively, much like against LSU, I thought Tech did a really good job for the most part. I really liked how they passed it around, and guys took a lot of good shots tonight, whether they be from three, jumpers, or driving. This group is finally starting to get really comfortable in this offense, and you can tell. If they'll keep knocking down open looks and making good decisions, this team will be fine on that end.
*Defensively, I thought Tech did a great job making it tough on Odomes and Woodard inside, which they didn't do in Norman. The defensive rotations with help D and closing out on threes was mostly much better, especially in the first half.
