Let's be real. Not saying Texas Tech is a bad team, or that they do not have a couple of nice players (Bailey Maupin). I am saying Texas has no business losing to Texas Tech with or without Rori. But that was true last year and the year before that. Beating Texas one out of two games was a highlight for Texas Tech last year when they, once again, finished near the bottom of the conference standings and failed to make the NCAA tournament. By playing a very weak non-conference schedule, Tech made the WNIT.
What do we see as the keys to the game? What do we want to see?
Key to winning, imo: BALL SECURITY. Texas Tech scores 23.8 of its 73.6 points a game off the 21.7 turnovers a game committed by its opponents average. These numbers are similar to those of Baylor who scores 25.8 points per game off 24.2 opponent turnovers. On Sunday, Baylor scored 30 points off Texas’ 23 turnovers!
After that, just play Texas ball. Offensively, I trust the team to put up points. Texas can score. The team put up 79 points against Baylor. For the year, Baylor gives up 55.3 a game. Tech gives up a similar number, 56.3, but against a much weaker schedule. Per Massey, Tech SOS is currently 165 vs 14 for Baylor. The Horns may look a little worse against a zone, but they still find ways to score.
After winning, things I'd like to see:
1. Fewer minutes played by Shay and Shaylee. Each played 40 minutes against Baylor. People have talked about the need for a back-up "true point guard". Heck, Texas needs another guard, period! The team is playing with 2 true guards. Madison is leading the offense, but she is limited in her ability to guard smaller guards. I'm impressed with how well she does. But we need Jak to step up there. Or, if Dee and/or Amo start playing better, Amina can do a pretty good job defending on the perimeter. If she plays with 2 other inside players, that may limit her offensive opportunities. But she does not seem to be one to complain about her role. Just goes out and makes herself indispensable.
2. Good minutes from Jak, AMO, and Dee. I hope both AMO and the team are working on getting AMO reintegrated into the offense. AMO was front and center of a couple of possessions that collapsed into utter confusion Sunday. AMO's frustration was very evident. And she did not play much after that. We need the confident, smiling, fist-pumping AMO going for the and one!
3. A winning margin that allows Vic to give some minutes to Gisella. If she can become a contributor as the season goes on, it could make a huge difference.
Thoughts?
What do we see as the keys to the game? What do we want to see?
Key to winning, imo: BALL SECURITY. Texas Tech scores 23.8 of its 73.6 points a game off the 21.7 turnovers a game committed by its opponents average. These numbers are similar to those of Baylor who scores 25.8 points per game off 24.2 opponent turnovers. On Sunday, Baylor scored 30 points off Texas’ 23 turnovers!
After that, just play Texas ball. Offensively, I trust the team to put up points. Texas can score. The team put up 79 points against Baylor. For the year, Baylor gives up 55.3 a game. Tech gives up a similar number, 56.3, but against a much weaker schedule. Per Massey, Tech SOS is currently 165 vs 14 for Baylor. The Horns may look a little worse against a zone, but they still find ways to score.
After winning, things I'd like to see:
1. Fewer minutes played by Shay and Shaylee. Each played 40 minutes against Baylor. People have talked about the need for a back-up "true point guard". Heck, Texas needs another guard, period! The team is playing with 2 true guards. Madison is leading the offense, but she is limited in her ability to guard smaller guards. I'm impressed with how well she does. But we need Jak to step up there. Or, if Dee and/or Amo start playing better, Amina can do a pretty good job defending on the perimeter. If she plays with 2 other inside players, that may limit her offensive opportunities. But she does not seem to be one to complain about her role. Just goes out and makes herself indispensable.
2. Good minutes from Jak, AMO, and Dee. I hope both AMO and the team are working on getting AMO reintegrated into the offense. AMO was front and center of a couple of possessions that collapsed into utter confusion Sunday. AMO's frustration was very evident. And she did not play much after that. We need the confident, smiling, fist-pumping AMO going for the and one!
3. A winning margin that allows Vic to give some minutes to Gisella. If she can become a contributor as the season goes on, it could make a huge difference.
Thoughts?
