Box Score | Post Game Quotes
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GAME RECAP
MVP
Jaye Crockett | This was maybe the team's most well-rounded win of the year and a lot of players contributed, but I thought that Crockett looked the best he has all year, scoring 10 points, grabbing 9 boards, but he had 8 turnovers (that doesn't seem right, but I think it is). Still, I liked Crockett's energy.Numbers
69.0% | I didn't like the way that this team shot free throws, under 70%, which included Tolbert going 1 for 4.21 | Another 20+ turnover game, but again, a large part of that is due to Crockett. 28.3% | The Texas Tech defense was stellar and held the Lions to under 30% from the floor. Every player seemingly gave full effort on defense |
THE RESULT | STELLAR DEFENSE | Son of a son, this was all about defense and absolutely loved it. It seemed like this was a complete defensive effort from everyone and as mentioned in the last number on the right, Texas Tech held SE La. to 28.3% from the field. Sure, you can blame some of it on SE La. not being a good shooting team, but to shoot under 30%, you have to give some credit to the defense that played incredibly tight defense all game long. I think that head coach Billy Gillispie would love to win some games holding opponents to under 30% this year and would guess that this is what he's preaching this morning. If Texas Tech plays defense like this, then I'm holding out hope for 6 or 7 conference wins, which is too high, but I get to be hopeful because I'm a fan.
BACKCOURT
Jararez Willis | Could have given MVP honors to Willis as he was very solid all game with 15 points, including going 8 of 8 from the free throw line. I did appreciate that he played 39 minutes, had 3 turnovers and 2 assists, which is better than in the past handful of games.
Ty Nurse | I shouldn't be surprised that he got the start and maybe he is the perfect compliment to Willis at point guard. Nurse isn't your typical shooting guard in that he doesn't have incredible athleticism, but he's okay. Finished with 10 points, 5 boards, 1 assist, 2 steals and 1 turnover.
DeShon Minnis | How about the dunk of the night? It's that type of athleticism that teases you and if Minnis could ever figure out his jump shot and score from the outside, he would be a legitimate player that could do some damage in the Big 12. Finished with 5 points, 3 boards, 1 assist, 2 steals and 2 turnovers.
Kevin Wagner | Played 10 minutes, but was fairly quiet.
Luke Adams | Played only 6 minutes (again) and had a steal and a turnover, but that was about it.
FRONTCOURT
Jordan Tolbert | Because SE La. had Bailey, they really had someone that could neutralize Tolbert and because of foul trouble, Tolbert didn't see the minutes that he usually does, but he was still darned effective when he was out there. Like Lew, I still want to see more rebounds from the both of them as SE La. had 15 offensive rebounds. That's too much. Tolbert finished with 11 points, 2 boards, 1 assist, 1 steal, 3 turnovers and 1 block.
Robert Lewandowski | I think Lew has really found his groove as to where he needs to be with this team. At the beginning of the year, Lew was being asked to be the low post presence for this team and recently, he's been switched to play mainly the high post and he's been incredibly adept at passing into the post with Tolbert. Like Tolbert, Lew was in foul trouble, but Lew was 4 of 6 from the floor, including a three point make, with 9 points, 3 boards, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover and 1 block.
Jaye Crockett | As mentioned above, I thought that Crockett had his best game and that's in spite of 8 turnovers. Yeesh. Still, Crockett looked more like his old self and I think that Crockett needed a confidence boost after some sub-par games. Crockett has also found his stride, much like Lew, in that he's really a good high post player as he can hit the open jumper, pass it down low or dribble and create.
Terran Petteway | Petteway got the start, but only played 8 minutes. I don't remember who it was, but Petteway is a bit wild at times and really needs to settle down his game, but maybe this is just his personality. I think his 2 turnovers in just 8 minutes put him on the bench for most of the game. If Gotcher is going to be out an extended period of time then Petteway and Minnis are both going to need to be big parts of this puzzle.
Jaron Nash | It's almost sorta funny as Nash is terrific at creating fouls and opportunities but he is horrid from the line and was 0 for 3 last night. In fact, for the year, Nash is shooting 59% from the field and 30% from the free throw line.