Well, well, well. How bout that?
*It felt to me like the Red Raiders really needed to split this week if they were going to have a real chance to make a run at the Big 12 title. Check.
*Before I go into the game itself, let me say this: I have never experienced a more wild, rowdy, defeaning half of basketball than I did today. The second half of that game, you guys who were in attendance turned the USA into a frothing frenzy. The final 10 minutes were as loud as any period of time I’ve ever heard in that building.
*Down by 7 at the half, it looked like the Red Raiders may just not have it in the tank on the offensive end to get it done. WVU was knocking down every open shot they got, and Tech was out of sorts. But this team, as they’ve done all season long, just took a good breath at half, regrouped, and dug back into the lead inch by inch, clawing for must have baskets. This team is as Never Say Die as any I’ve ever been around here.
*How about Brandone Francis, y’all? The junior was Captain Clutch and knocked down some big time baskets. That was the best basketball game he’s played as a Red Raider, and he continues to shine as he gets more minutes. In fact, controversial take, but I thought he was every bit as clutch as Keenan Evans today. Well, except for...
*That. Shot. Keenan. Evans. Literally getting pushed over, I haven’t seen anyone hit what would become a game winning shot like that at Tech. Strength and a little bit of luck, but your senior leader made a play when you needed him to.
*If it weren’t for Jevon Carter balling his ass off, Tech wins this game going away. He was absolutely cold blooded and knocked down shot after shot, particularly from three, on contenders shots on a continual basis. That dude almost single handled won WVU that game.
*There are a few defensive possessions you’d like back, but the ultimate stat I see from today: Tech had 8 points in transition. WVU had 0. WVU thrives in transition offensively, and Tech completely stalled them from their bread and butter. They had to rely on Carter and Ahmad for all their scoring, essentially. They’re bad in the half set, and Tech having just 13 turnovers and halting WVU in transition is the biggest takeaway. You forced them out of their comfort zone.
*Tech was mostly really good against the press today too. Never, ever panicked. Huge key.
*This team is really damn good, even with Zach Smith on the mend. If you aren’t on the bandwagon, it’s time to hop on.
*It felt to me like the Red Raiders really needed to split this week if they were going to have a real chance to make a run at the Big 12 title. Check.
*Before I go into the game itself, let me say this: I have never experienced a more wild, rowdy, defeaning half of basketball than I did today. The second half of that game, you guys who were in attendance turned the USA into a frothing frenzy. The final 10 minutes were as loud as any period of time I’ve ever heard in that building.
*Down by 7 at the half, it looked like the Red Raiders may just not have it in the tank on the offensive end to get it done. WVU was knocking down every open shot they got, and Tech was out of sorts. But this team, as they’ve done all season long, just took a good breath at half, regrouped, and dug back into the lead inch by inch, clawing for must have baskets. This team is as Never Say Die as any I’ve ever been around here.
*How about Brandone Francis, y’all? The junior was Captain Clutch and knocked down some big time baskets. That was the best basketball game he’s played as a Red Raider, and he continues to shine as he gets more minutes. In fact, controversial take, but I thought he was every bit as clutch as Keenan Evans today. Well, except for...
*That. Shot. Keenan. Evans. Literally getting pushed over, I haven’t seen anyone hit what would become a game winning shot like that at Tech. Strength and a little bit of luck, but your senior leader made a play when you needed him to.
*If it weren’t for Jevon Carter balling his ass off, Tech wins this game going away. He was absolutely cold blooded and knocked down shot after shot, particularly from three, on contenders shots on a continual basis. That dude almost single handled won WVU that game.
*There are a few defensive possessions you’d like back, but the ultimate stat I see from today: Tech had 8 points in transition. WVU had 0. WVU thrives in transition offensively, and Tech completely stalled them from their bread and butter. They had to rely on Carter and Ahmad for all their scoring, essentially. They’re bad in the half set, and Tech having just 13 turnovers and halting WVU in transition is the biggest takeaway. You forced them out of their comfort zone.
*Tech was mostly really good against the press today too. Never, ever panicked. Huge key.
*This team is really damn good, even with Zach Smith on the mend. If you aren’t on the bandwagon, it’s time to hop on.
