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/ Men's BasketballRed Raiders remain focused on responding
February 10, 2023 | Men's Basketball
LUBBOCK, Texas – Imagine sitting on a podium explaining one of the toughest stretches in your career. Microphones on the table right in front of you and a bright light on the ceiling shining in your eyes. There are cameras along the back row and a gathering of reporters with their phones out recording the words you say and capturing every expression you make. You're seated there knowing that at 1-10 in Big 12 play, even in a friendly room filled with local media, everything is about to be examined. Lamar Washington sits there as a freshman. Jaylon Tyson a sophomore. Mark Adams coming off a trip to the Sweet 16 but now with a 12-12 overall record this season. Each tasked with answering questions no one wants to hear but understanding the position they're in and ready to respond. Â
"We are never the victim," Adams said. "We are fighters. I'm a fighter and will be that way until I take my last breath. We are going to play to win and fight every game."
"We're going to stick to the process and play hard together," Washington adds. "I fell like we're close to winning if we stick together and fight every game."
"I want to win so bad," Tyson replies to a question from Carlos Silva of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. "I hate being 1-10. I've never lost like this in my life. I'm trying to be a better teammate and fight through adversity and stay positive through tough times."
With only four home games remaining – two in the next three days – Texas Tech will look to use its fan support against two of the top teams in the nation. First up is No. 12 Kansas State. A 6 p.m. tip on Saturday night. The next, No. 5 Texas. An 8 p.m. game on ESPN Big Monday. Both are ticket sellouts and also rematches of games that got away. They battled both on the road, going up by five on K-State at halftime and falling by just two in Austin. They learned lessons in those games and understand that facing experienced teams is a full 40-minute job. Tech came out strong in Manhattan and Austin before seeing runs lead to comebacks and result in losses. Looking back at the film for assessments, they understand where the games were lost and how corrections in their play and mindsets could flip the outcome. They remain a young team. But with each game, they're becoming more experienced.
"The way we played against them on the road gives us some confidence, but we'll have to play that same way and put together a complete game this time," Adams during an interview in his office earlier in the day. "They're such a great team that can hurt you in so many ways. They got to us in the second half, so we'll have to come prepared to play our best. Markquis Nowell is a special point guard who we have to do a better job with. He really hurt us in the last game. Keyontae Johnson is a guy we'll see in the NBA next year. He's that good. A three-level scorer who is always a threat. They're playing really well as a team right now. Our defense will have to be a complete team effort with all the talent they have on their team."
In Manhattan, Tech led by as many as eight points seven minutes into the second half before an 11-0 run gave the Wildcats the lead. Final score: 68-58. Big 12 record: 0-7.
"We are always talking about consistency and urgency," Adams said. "Our focus has to stay on that as we continue growing as a team. We can't get too high or too low when playing a team like Kansas State. If you miss a shot or assignment, we have to reset and stay in the moment. We can't let lulls get us in this game. Our emotions have to stay level throughout the game and not let teams go on runs on us."
Tyson has played his best three-game stretch of the season, coming off a career-high 20 points at Oklahoma State after recording his third double-double of the season with 19 points and 10 rebounds at Baylor. In the win over Iowa State, he helped spearhead the 23-point comeback and finished with 11 points and his third game of the season with nine rebounds. Tech improved to 1-8 in Big 12 play with that win but is now 1-10 after a tough loss at No. 11 Baylor last Saturday and falling 71-68 at Oklahoma State on Wednesday after a last-second putback thwarted a 14-point comeback to its completion. Tyson hit a 3-pointer with a minute left in the game to bring it to a one-point game. He's now averaging 10.3 points and 6.0 points for the season, growing in his sophomore season after only playing eight games as a freshman at Texas. Prompted about playing K-State, Tyson said, "We have to play together. We have looked disconnected out there. Spacing is a huge thing. If we do those things I think we'll have a good chance to win."
Washington has started the past two games in a freshman season where he has played 21 of 24 in a reserve role. He led Tech with five assists at Baylor to go along with seven points in 30 minutes of play. The next game, one assist, three rebounds and six turnovers at OSU. It's a season of growth for the 2021 Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year. Finding a role and expanding it. Producing when called upon. Staying positive and responding to the negative. Â
"I feel like what is helping me right now is our spacing," Washington answers to one question about how he's improving. The next ask, tell me about your six turnovers in Stillwater? "Stay in the lab, staying focused and watching film to work on what I need to work on. I can't rush the game. Staying patient. Everyone has bad games. I just have to lock back in."
Brush it aside. On to the next.
Adams and the Red Raiders find themselves in a daunting position with only eight games remaining in the regular season. Just a year ago, in his first season leading the program, Tech went 12-6 in Big 12 play and were 18-0 at home. The team reached the Big 12 Championship Final and advanced to the Sweet 16 with wins over Montana State and Notre Dame before falling in a hard-fought battle to Duke in the building that the Golden State Warriors play in. He was the Associated Press Big 12 Coach of the Year and a finalist for the Naismith National Coach of the Year. That was less than a year ago. This year's team started the year at No. 25 in the AP Top 25 rankings and was ranked as high as No. 21. Expectations were high – elevated by four straight trips to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history. It was just over a month ago that this team came into Big 12 play with a 10-2 record and on a 29-game home winning streak. They're now 1-4 at home and at No. 74 in the NET rankings.
This wasn't the plan and is frustrating for everyone. Coaches. Players. Fans. Adams was lauded as a mastermind last season. Now he's being critiqued for his arms being crossed on the sidelines. This year's team is young. That's undeniable. Four freshman are playing important roles, including Pop Isaacs who is averaging 13.9 points per game in Big 12 play but has missed the last four games due to an ankle injury he suffered early in the second half against West Virginia. Washington is now a starter. Elijah Fisher and Robert Jennings have showcased their potential and shined in moments. Fisher had nine rebounds at LSU. Jennings scored six to help in the win over the Cyclones. Tyson and Daniel Batcho have dominated at times during their sophomore seasons. Adams knows that the program can grow from this time. As difficult as right now is. Every day is spent in the Womble Practice Facility with the entire design being on winning. In the film room. Offices. Hotel conference rooms. On the court. At night in bed not being able to sleep while thinking of ways to improve. Everything is about getting back to where they were just a year ago. Developing a young roster. Focusing on improving. Not dwelling.
"Our team is staying in the present and working hard on each game," Adams said. "We can't worry about the past or the future. We are in the moment right now and have to stay there to have a strong performance on Saturday. Win each possession."
He says this, when in front of the media and in his office preparing for K-State, knowing that the response on the court is what matters. He says this, believing in this team. Â
For the full press conference, watch the video below.
"We are never the victim," Adams said. "We are fighters. I'm a fighter and will be that way until I take my last breath. We are going to play to win and fight every game."
"We're going to stick to the process and play hard together," Washington adds. "I fell like we're close to winning if we stick together and fight every game."
"I want to win so bad," Tyson replies to a question from Carlos Silva of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. "I hate being 1-10. I've never lost like this in my life. I'm trying to be a better teammate and fight through adversity and stay positive through tough times."
With only four home games remaining – two in the next three days – Texas Tech will look to use its fan support against two of the top teams in the nation. First up is No. 12 Kansas State. A 6 p.m. tip on Saturday night. The next, No. 5 Texas. An 8 p.m. game on ESPN Big Monday. Both are ticket sellouts and also rematches of games that got away. They battled both on the road, going up by five on K-State at halftime and falling by just two in Austin. They learned lessons in those games and understand that facing experienced teams is a full 40-minute job. Tech came out strong in Manhattan and Austin before seeing runs lead to comebacks and result in losses. Looking back at the film for assessments, they understand where the games were lost and how corrections in their play and mindsets could flip the outcome. They remain a young team. But with each game, they're becoming more experienced.
"The way we played against them on the road gives us some confidence, but we'll have to play that same way and put together a complete game this time," Adams during an interview in his office earlier in the day. "They're such a great team that can hurt you in so many ways. They got to us in the second half, so we'll have to come prepared to play our best. Markquis Nowell is a special point guard who we have to do a better job with. He really hurt us in the last game. Keyontae Johnson is a guy we'll see in the NBA next year. He's that good. A three-level scorer who is always a threat. They're playing really well as a team right now. Our defense will have to be a complete team effort with all the talent they have on their team."
In Manhattan, Tech led by as many as eight points seven minutes into the second half before an 11-0 run gave the Wildcats the lead. Final score: 68-58. Big 12 record: 0-7.
"We are always talking about consistency and urgency," Adams said. "Our focus has to stay on that as we continue growing as a team. We can't get too high or too low when playing a team like Kansas State. If you miss a shot or assignment, we have to reset and stay in the moment. We can't let lulls get us in this game. Our emotions have to stay level throughout the game and not let teams go on runs on us."
Tyson has played his best three-game stretch of the season, coming off a career-high 20 points at Oklahoma State after recording his third double-double of the season with 19 points and 10 rebounds at Baylor. In the win over Iowa State, he helped spearhead the 23-point comeback and finished with 11 points and his third game of the season with nine rebounds. Tech improved to 1-8 in Big 12 play with that win but is now 1-10 after a tough loss at No. 11 Baylor last Saturday and falling 71-68 at Oklahoma State on Wednesday after a last-second putback thwarted a 14-point comeback to its completion. Tyson hit a 3-pointer with a minute left in the game to bring it to a one-point game. He's now averaging 10.3 points and 6.0 points for the season, growing in his sophomore season after only playing eight games as a freshman at Texas. Prompted about playing K-State, Tyson said, "We have to play together. We have looked disconnected out there. Spacing is a huge thing. If we do those things I think we'll have a good chance to win."
Washington has started the past two games in a freshman season where he has played 21 of 24 in a reserve role. He led Tech with five assists at Baylor to go along with seven points in 30 minutes of play. The next game, one assist, three rebounds and six turnovers at OSU. It's a season of growth for the 2021 Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year. Finding a role and expanding it. Producing when called upon. Staying positive and responding to the negative. Â
"I feel like what is helping me right now is our spacing," Washington answers to one question about how he's improving. The next ask, tell me about your six turnovers in Stillwater? "Stay in the lab, staying focused and watching film to work on what I need to work on. I can't rush the game. Staying patient. Everyone has bad games. I just have to lock back in."
Brush it aside. On to the next.
Adams and the Red Raiders find themselves in a daunting position with only eight games remaining in the regular season. Just a year ago, in his first season leading the program, Tech went 12-6 in Big 12 play and were 18-0 at home. The team reached the Big 12 Championship Final and advanced to the Sweet 16 with wins over Montana State and Notre Dame before falling in a hard-fought battle to Duke in the building that the Golden State Warriors play in. He was the Associated Press Big 12 Coach of the Year and a finalist for the Naismith National Coach of the Year. That was less than a year ago. This year's team started the year at No. 25 in the AP Top 25 rankings and was ranked as high as No. 21. Expectations were high – elevated by four straight trips to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history. It was just over a month ago that this team came into Big 12 play with a 10-2 record and on a 29-game home winning streak. They're now 1-4 at home and at No. 74 in the NET rankings.
This wasn't the plan and is frustrating for everyone. Coaches. Players. Fans. Adams was lauded as a mastermind last season. Now he's being critiqued for his arms being crossed on the sidelines. This year's team is young. That's undeniable. Four freshman are playing important roles, including Pop Isaacs who is averaging 13.9 points per game in Big 12 play but has missed the last four games due to an ankle injury he suffered early in the second half against West Virginia. Washington is now a starter. Elijah Fisher and Robert Jennings have showcased their potential and shined in moments. Fisher had nine rebounds at LSU. Jennings scored six to help in the win over the Cyclones. Tyson and Daniel Batcho have dominated at times during their sophomore seasons. Adams knows that the program can grow from this time. As difficult as right now is. Every day is spent in the Womble Practice Facility with the entire design being on winning. In the film room. Offices. Hotel conference rooms. On the court. At night in bed not being able to sleep while thinking of ways to improve. Everything is about getting back to where they were just a year ago. Developing a young roster. Focusing on improving. Not dwelling.
"Our team is staying in the present and working hard on each game," Adams said. "We can't worry about the past or the future. We are in the moment right now and have to stay there to have a strong performance on Saturday. Win each possession."
He says this, when in front of the media and in his office preparing for K-State, knowing that the response on the court is what matters. He says this, believing in this team. Â
For the full press conference, watch the video below.
Postgame Press Conference: vs. Alabama (NCAA Tournament Second Round)
Monday, March 23
Press Conference: NCAA Tournament Second Round Preview
Saturday, March 21
Postgame Press Conference: vs. Akron (NCAA Tournament First Round)
Friday, March 20
A Round One Celebration
Friday, March 20