I am just glad that one is over. I really believe that was the worst game we have seen Tech play this year. It did not seem like Tech was ready to play tonight and sometimes that happens. Big 12 basketball road games are some of the toughest road games there are. If you do not come ready to play, then the other team will play you out of the gym and that is exactly what WVU did tonight. WVU applied their pressure defense masterfully and Tech had no answer except to turn the ball over 19 times. Tech trailed the entire game, but did threaten to make the game close late in the first half. The Red Raiders put together a mini run that cut WVU's lead to 10 with about 1 minute until half time. It looked as though Tech was going to cut the lead to single digits, but two turnovers in a row allowed WVU to extend the lead to 15 at half time.
The second half was even uglier as WVU kept applying the defensive pressure, which extended the lead to around 20 points. Once the lead was 20 The Mountaineers kept it there and didn't not allow Tech to even come close to making any sort of comeback. Like I said, these kinds of games happen. I just hate seeing them happen this late in the season.
It would be easy to get down on this team after losing two in a row, but we must keep it all in perspective. The two games we have lost were both on the road against teams ranked in the top 10. Majority of the teams in the country would lose those two games as well. Currently we are still projected to be a #8 seed in the big dance. I think we are a lock for the tourney, but I will feel a whole lot better if we beat KSU on Saturday.
Game Notes
- Texas Tech lost the battle on the boards 40-23. If turnovers were the first reason we lost tonight then rebounding was the second.
- Justin Gray was the leading scorer tonight with 15 and 2 steals.
- Aaron Ross was solid once again with 14 points and 5 boards. He has to be at the top of the list for 6th man of the year in the conference.
- Texas Tech is locked in as a #7 seed for the Big 12 Tournament and will play TCU in the first round.
