Texas Tech University Athletics
First radio show previews upcoming Nicholls matchup
December 06, 2022 | Men's Basketball
LUBBOCK, Texas – Along with taking photos, giving handshakes, and signing autographs, Mark Adams, assistant coach Corey Williams, and senior Kevin Obanor spent part of their Monday night talking about Texas Tech basketball at the first installment of the five-part radio show live from Rudy's. At 5-2 on the season and on a 25-game home winning streak overall, the Red Raiders are back on their home court on Wednesday night to host Nicholls. They'll also be back at Rudy's next week (Dec. 12) for the second show of the season. Parts of their conversations with host Geoff Haxton are below.      Â
Adams on playing against Nicholls at 7 p.m. on Wednesday: "It's always tough to get emotionally ready for every game. You have to do that though. You do that in the Big 12. We know that Nicholls will come in here with a chip on their shoulder and will be ready to try to knock us off. It's the David vs. Goliath scenario. It's easier to prepare for a game when you're the David. There's less pressure and it's a huge reward to knock off a team like us. It's our challenge now to keep our guys focused and ready to play. We have to match their intensity. For a young team, we have to keep reminding them how important this game is. They have a really good team. There are a lot of teams out there who are getting upset. We have to be serious, focused and be ready to play."
Adams on where the team is through seven games: "We think we're getting better every day. We're making progress in getting these guys to play the right way. To play together. It's challenging for every team, but especially a young team without a lot of experience. We're excited about what we see. I'm a cotton farmer's son. When you plant your seeds it takes some time to pop up out of the ground. We know that our team is ready to grow. There is a good root system there. I know you're going to see guys start to take off. Like with Jaylon Tyson. We had been telling him to shoot the ball and he listened. He had a great game shooting the ball against Georgetown. That's what we love to see. They are gaining confidence and feeling more comfortable. There is a really high ceiling with this team."
Obanor on his thoughts about the team through seven games: "There have been some trials and tribulations. What player doesn't want to be the MVP every night and have 20 and 10. I look at it as a blessing because you know that it's going to build good fruits. I know I can play better but I like the progress we are making. Better days are ahead of us. We have trust in each other and continue building chemistry. This is a young team but we're going in the right direction. I have a lot of belief in the team and myself."
Williams on his thoughts about the team through seven games: "I feel good about our team. We are progressively getting better. We have a long way to go, but we're making strides. Going to Maui taught us a lot about ourselves and gave us a chance to play against quality opponents at a neutral site. I think we can use that experience and the games we have ahead of us to get stronger before we get into conference play next month. We're a young team that is still learning and gelling together. Coach Adams is freeing our guys up to play and not think so much. They're starting to understand the spots they need to be in offensively and move the ball. Share it. And take the best shot. Guys are playing with more confidence right now."
Williams on the Texas Tech fans: "Our fans have been unbelievable. When you look out at that arena and see our fans and the support they give us, it's incredible. Not just our program though, every athletic program here at this university. We are very appreciative. Coach Adams talks about our fans being our sixth man all the time. Our fans are very special to us."
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Adams on playing against Nicholls at 7 p.m. on Wednesday: "It's always tough to get emotionally ready for every game. You have to do that though. You do that in the Big 12. We know that Nicholls will come in here with a chip on their shoulder and will be ready to try to knock us off. It's the David vs. Goliath scenario. It's easier to prepare for a game when you're the David. There's less pressure and it's a huge reward to knock off a team like us. It's our challenge now to keep our guys focused and ready to play. We have to match their intensity. For a young team, we have to keep reminding them how important this game is. They have a really good team. There are a lot of teams out there who are getting upset. We have to be serious, focused and be ready to play."
Adams on where the team is through seven games: "We think we're getting better every day. We're making progress in getting these guys to play the right way. To play together. It's challenging for every team, but especially a young team without a lot of experience. We're excited about what we see. I'm a cotton farmer's son. When you plant your seeds it takes some time to pop up out of the ground. We know that our team is ready to grow. There is a good root system there. I know you're going to see guys start to take off. Like with Jaylon Tyson. We had been telling him to shoot the ball and he listened. He had a great game shooting the ball against Georgetown. That's what we love to see. They are gaining confidence and feeling more comfortable. There is a really high ceiling with this team."
Obanor on his thoughts about the team through seven games: "There have been some trials and tribulations. What player doesn't want to be the MVP every night and have 20 and 10. I look at it as a blessing because you know that it's going to build good fruits. I know I can play better but I like the progress we are making. Better days are ahead of us. We have trust in each other and continue building chemistry. This is a young team but we're going in the right direction. I have a lot of belief in the team and myself."
Williams on his thoughts about the team through seven games: "I feel good about our team. We are progressively getting better. We have a long way to go, but we're making strides. Going to Maui taught us a lot about ourselves and gave us a chance to play against quality opponents at a neutral site. I think we can use that experience and the games we have ahead of us to get stronger before we get into conference play next month. We're a young team that is still learning and gelling together. Coach Adams is freeing our guys up to play and not think so much. They're starting to understand the spots they need to be in offensively and move the ball. Share it. And take the best shot. Guys are playing with more confidence right now."
Williams on the Texas Tech fans: "Our fans have been unbelievable. When you look out at that arena and see our fans and the support they give us, it's incredible. Not just our program though, every athletic program here at this university. We are very appreciative. Coach Adams talks about our fans being our sixth man all the time. Our fans are very special to us."
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?? LIVE | Red Raider Basketball with @CoachAdams_TTU, @CoachWilliams12 + @_KevinObanor https://t.co/ughjxfa8L0
— Texas Tech Basketball (@TexasTechMBB) December 6, 2022
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