Texas Tech University Athletics
Adams ready for Red Raider response against Sooners
January 07, 2023 | Men's Basketball
LUBBOCK, Texas – Text messages come in every morning of game day. Will this person play? How about that one? Reporters reaching out to communications directors, coaches, players and staff – anyone who will respond. Trying to get the scoop. To post on social media. To light up the message boards. It's one of the parts of the game within in the game. Some coaches play it. Tech coach Mark Adams is being a little more transparent this weekend with multiple players being listed as game-time decisions coming into the third Big 12 game of the season after a final play against No. 3 Kansas on national television that could take two starters out of the lineup.
"We could be a little short-handed on Saturday," said Adams on Friday night before a practice. "We're going to fight to get back into this race though. We have a young team that is still learning. What we have to take from the TCU game and Kansas is that we have to put the first 20 minutes and the second half together. That consistency is something we are still working on. Can't make any excuses."
It's only the first Saturday of 2023, but at 0-2 in the Big 12 standings, there's no shying away from the importance of tonight's game against Oklahoma. The Red Raiders travelled to Fort Worth last week and jumped out to a 13-point lead over No. 18 TCU. They lost by six with the Horned Frogs rallying in the second half. On Tuesday, Tech was down only one point and had the ball. Pop Isaacs would drive down the lane, had contact with Kansas defenders and lost the ball. No. 3-ranked KU raced down the court and threw down a dunk at the buzzer for a three-point win. "It's encouraging to see that even though our young team is not playing well at times and making some mistakes but we are still competing and finding ways to stay in the game," Adams said. "That's important to see. We are still competing through our mistakes."
Daniel Batcho raced down the court on that play with time ticking away trying to stop the Jayhawks from scoring and hurt his finger attempting to block the shot. One play, two players hurt and the game lost. That's what Tech looks to bounce back from tonight.
"Those last 10 seconds on the no-call was Pop suffered a head injury and will be a game-time decision," Adams said. "Batcho is the same way with a dislocated finger. There's a chance they both don't play. We'll have to make some adjustments and won't be nearly as big if Batcho does not play. Could be more small-ball but still emphasizing rebounding. We still have to be aggressive and take care of the ball better."
Officially, Fardaws Aimaq is still out. There is no timetable for him to make his Tech debut. Isaacs and Batcho – both starters - will be game-time decisions. Isaacs is in concussion protocol. Batcho will see how his finger responds.Â
The 75-72 loss against the Jayhawks ended a 29-game home winning streak that included winning 12 in a row within Big 12 play. Kevin Obanor led Tech against KU, scoring a season-high 26 points while Isaacs had 18 with four 3-pointers. Isaacs has made 13 3s in the past three games, including leading the Red Raiders with 17 points at TCU with five 3-pointers. Batcho, who played through non-covid illness the past week, had nine rebounds and five blocks at TCU and six rebounds and six points against KU. Isaacs has started all 14 games so far this season. Batcho has started 12 and leads Tech with 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and is scoring 11.8 points per game.
"We'll have to be ready to play with the guys that we have available," Adams said. "We need guys to step up."
Tech went 9-0 at home in conference play last season under Adams and didn't suffer back-to-back losses throughout his first season. OU on the other hand, lost by one point at No. 6 Texas and then fell to No. 25 Iowa State by three. Both teams have been battling – only to come up short at the end.
"We've had really good practices with our guys having great attitudes," Adams said. "They understand how big this game is for both teams. We're both trying to get in the win column. They're very similar to us. They've lost a couple close games to top 25 teams too. They are hungry like we are. They are a very good basketball, like we are. Nothing but respect for them. Anytime you suffer a loss, you get the attention of your players. They are hungry and in a position where they are anxious to get back on the court. We want to get this feeling of losing out of our system."
Tech is currently averaging 13,200 fans which ranks 12th nationally for attendance and second within the Big 12. With students still out of session, 14,385 fans filled the USA on Tuesday night against KU. Adams is looking for everyone on his roster who is available tonight to continue fighting, while also continuing to reiterate the importance of protecting home court with only eight home games remaining this season.
"We need another great crowd," Adams said. "Red Raider Nation is really important to us. It's always been contagious for our program. This has always been a tough place to play and what I think is the best home court in the country. We are going to have to play well and fight through anything that comes our way. I believe in our team."
"We could be a little short-handed on Saturday," said Adams on Friday night before a practice. "We're going to fight to get back into this race though. We have a young team that is still learning. What we have to take from the TCU game and Kansas is that we have to put the first 20 minutes and the second half together. That consistency is something we are still working on. Can't make any excuses."
It's only the first Saturday of 2023, but at 0-2 in the Big 12 standings, there's no shying away from the importance of tonight's game against Oklahoma. The Red Raiders travelled to Fort Worth last week and jumped out to a 13-point lead over No. 18 TCU. They lost by six with the Horned Frogs rallying in the second half. On Tuesday, Tech was down only one point and had the ball. Pop Isaacs would drive down the lane, had contact with Kansas defenders and lost the ball. No. 3-ranked KU raced down the court and threw down a dunk at the buzzer for a three-point win. "It's encouraging to see that even though our young team is not playing well at times and making some mistakes but we are still competing and finding ways to stay in the game," Adams said. "That's important to see. We are still competing through our mistakes."
Daniel Batcho raced down the court on that play with time ticking away trying to stop the Jayhawks from scoring and hurt his finger attempting to block the shot. One play, two players hurt and the game lost. That's what Tech looks to bounce back from tonight.
"Those last 10 seconds on the no-call was Pop suffered a head injury and will be a game-time decision," Adams said. "Batcho is the same way with a dislocated finger. There's a chance they both don't play. We'll have to make some adjustments and won't be nearly as big if Batcho does not play. Could be more small-ball but still emphasizing rebounding. We still have to be aggressive and take care of the ball better."
Officially, Fardaws Aimaq is still out. There is no timetable for him to make his Tech debut. Isaacs and Batcho – both starters - will be game-time decisions. Isaacs is in concussion protocol. Batcho will see how his finger responds.Â
The 75-72 loss against the Jayhawks ended a 29-game home winning streak that included winning 12 in a row within Big 12 play. Kevin Obanor led Tech against KU, scoring a season-high 26 points while Isaacs had 18 with four 3-pointers. Isaacs has made 13 3s in the past three games, including leading the Red Raiders with 17 points at TCU with five 3-pointers. Batcho, who played through non-covid illness the past week, had nine rebounds and five blocks at TCU and six rebounds and six points against KU. Isaacs has started all 14 games so far this season. Batcho has started 12 and leads Tech with 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and is scoring 11.8 points per game.
"We'll have to be ready to play with the guys that we have available," Adams said. "We need guys to step up."
Tech went 9-0 at home in conference play last season under Adams and didn't suffer back-to-back losses throughout his first season. OU on the other hand, lost by one point at No. 6 Texas and then fell to No. 25 Iowa State by three. Both teams have been battling – only to come up short at the end.
"We've had really good practices with our guys having great attitudes," Adams said. "They understand how big this game is for both teams. We're both trying to get in the win column. They're very similar to us. They've lost a couple close games to top 25 teams too. They are hungry like we are. They are a very good basketball, like we are. Nothing but respect for them. Anytime you suffer a loss, you get the attention of your players. They are hungry and in a position where they are anxious to get back on the court. We want to get this feeling of losing out of our system."
Tech is currently averaging 13,200 fans which ranks 12th nationally for attendance and second within the Big 12. With students still out of session, 14,385 fans filled the USA on Tuesday night against KU. Adams is looking for everyone on his roster who is available tonight to continue fighting, while also continuing to reiterate the importance of protecting home court with only eight home games remaining this season.
"We need another great crowd," Adams said. "Red Raider Nation is really important to us. It's always been contagious for our program. This has always been a tough place to play and what I think is the best home court in the country. We are going to have to play well and fight through anything that comes our way. I believe in our team."
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