Texas Tech fans — and there have been lots at the Erwin Center — bought a possibility to rejoice another rating-settling win in excess of previous coach Chris Beard.
For present Tech coach Mark Adams, the 61-55 get Saturday around Texas and his former boss in Beard, fell far more beneath the heading of reduction than exultation.
“I really do not like participating in my good friends, and I feel he feels the identical way,” Adams stated. “We have been just privileged sufficient that the clock ran out, and we ended up ready to acquire.”
Adams had a sound rationale for his reasoning. Soon after expending the to start with 37 minutes or so imposing their will on Texas — particularly on protection and physically in the paint — the Crimson Raiders practically blew all above a 10-stage guide right before keeping on.
Not every person agreed with the sentiment, no matter if in the Tech locker area or the stands.
Memories of Beard’s determination to bolt Lubbock very last April for big money and huge expectations at Texas are continue to much too clean, the emotion of betrayal also raw.
“With all the respect I got for them, that was own,” Tech guard Clarence Nadolny stated afterward. “You do not want to reduce to the guy that still left you. … All people was emotionally hooked up to this sport.”
A junior from France, Nadolny was the unlikely X-factor in the sport. Tenacious and bodily but hardly a pure shooter, Nadolny scored 14 details, equaling his complete from his former seven game titles.
His essential offensive rebound and free throw with 23 seconds still left gave Tech a 4-point guide and quelled any feelings of a Texas comeback.
A 9- run fueled by 4 Tech turnovers had introduced Texas to in one stage at 56-55 when Andrew Jones hit a wing 3-pointer. The Longhorns would not rating all over again.
Jones completed with a game-substantial 20 points. Ahead Bryson Williams led Tech with 17 factors.
With the earn, No. 11 Tech (21-6, 10-4 Major 12) stayed in a next-area tie in the meeting with Baylor, guiding Kansas. No. 20 Texas (19-8, 8-6) lost for just the 2nd time this period at home.
Every single team was with out a critical participant. Tech was minus do-it-all guard Kevin McCullar (ankle) for the next straight game. Texas’ Tre Mitchell missed his 2nd game just after having a own depart of absence.
A sellout group at the Erwin Center featured countless numbers of crimson-and-black-clad Tech fans who experienced gained entry to the Texas ticket system. Texas responded by ending ticket profits speedily but not soon more than enough. College officials, which include Beard, encouraged college students with the athletic “Big Ticket” to attend, saying they wouldn’t be turned absent.
While Texas had the the greater part of enthusiasts, Tech fans ended up a distinct existence, giving the activity an NCAA regional final vibe. When Jones missed almost everything on a 2nd-half shot, he was greeted with an “airball” chant. At dwelling. Some of Tech’s trademark tortillas took flight throughout the game. Even the “The Eyes of Texas” acquired booed.
“It did not come to feel like a street game, as a lot as it normally does since we had that sea of crimson,” Adams claimed.
Texas’ two top scorers under no circumstances seriously obtained heading, though they weren’t on your own. The Longhorns shot just 28.3% and went more than 8 minutes without having a field aim spanning the initial and 2nd half. Tech outscored Texas 26-10 in the lane.
Major scorer Timmy Allen was constrained by foul trouble to 14 minutes and managed just 6 points. Point guard Marcus Carr went scoreless, likely -for-6 from the discipline to go with four turnovers to two helps.
Adams reported that contains Carr was a priority for Tech’s defense.
“It’s no question that I didn’t perform my very best nowadays,” Carr said. “Definitely a lot falls on my shoulders. I apologize to Coach and my teammates for that. Just consider to go out there and make plays in other means.”
Beard refused to criticize his staff or dwell on the reduction, indicating he was going to remain optimistic.
“They don’t hand the [NCAA] trophy out in February. They do that in April,” Beard claimed. “We’re let down we didn’t participate in much better nowadays …
“It’s a hurt locker space correct now for us. But we’ll be back again.”
Ross Fisher in Austin contributed to this report.
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