Texas Tech basketball tops UTEP in exhibition game

The Texas Tech basketball team topped UTEP 85-61 Thursday night in an exhibition game with the proceeds going to charity.

Thursday night, Texas Tech basketball fans got an early opportunity to see the Red Raiders prior to next week’s season tip-off. Hosting UTEP in an exhibition game, the Red Raiders came away with an 85-61 win at United Supermarkets Arena.

College basketball teams are known for playing secret scrimmages that are closed to the public. However, tickets were sold to this game with the proceeds going to the National Compassion Foundation – Santa Fe Strong Fund benefitting victims of May’s mass shooting at Santa Fe High School outside of Houston.

Sophomore forward Jarrett Culver led the way with 18 points to go along with eleven rebounds. After putting up 11.2 points per game as a freshman, the Lubbock Coronado product is expected to be the offensive focal point of the team this year after the loss of 2017-18’s top two scorers Keenan Evans and Zhaire Smith.

But Tech’s other offensive leader Thursday was a bit of a surprise. Senior forward Norense Odiase, who averaged just 3.8 points per game last year poured in 12 points while also pulling down 12 rebounds.

Last season, Odiase scored in double-figures only twice putting up 14 points at Kansas and scoring 12 at home against Oklahoma. Not expected to be a huge offensive factor this season, Odiase will be asked to provide physicality and defense in the post but head coach Chris Beard will certainly take 12 points from the Ft. Worth native anytime.

While Odiase’s offense came a surprise, a lack of scoring from grad transfer guard Matt Mooney was also surprising. After putting up over 18 points per game in the past two seasons at South Dakota, Mooney is expected to be a key offensive force for the Red Raiders this year but he scored only six points against the Miners.

Two veteran wings that also need to be bigger contributors on offense this year are senior Brandone Francis and sophomore Davide Moretti. Francis finished the game with 11 points (including two three-pointers) while Moretti added eight. That duo combined to average 8.6 points per game last year but will need to help fill the gap left by the loss of six of last year’s top eight scorers.

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According to Beard, he wants to see a more balanced scoring effort from his team this year.

"“I think we have six or seven guys that can get into double figures in any given night, and that is what we strive for” he said following the game."

Despite making a run to the Elite 8 last year, the Red Raiders were picked to finish 7th in the Big 12 preseason poll. Those lowly expectations are a result of losing five seniors and an NBA lottery pick from last year’s team.

It also remains to be seen how well the six new players, including two graduate transfers (Mooney and Tariq Owens), mesh together. Building continuity will be a key for this year’s squad, especially early in the season and the exhibition matchup with UTEP provided a chance for the Red Raiders to work on their on-court chemistry.

"“It was fun.” Odiase said of playing with his new teammates. “It was fun to see those guys in this atmosphere and it was fun for us to get back to playing basketball in this arena with our fans. It was just fun for our first game.”"

In addition to the two graduate transfers, Texas Tech has added a JUCO transfer (Deshawn Corprew) and three true freshmen (Khavon Moore, Kyler Edwards and Josh Mballa). Of that group, Edwards had the biggest impact Thursday scoring nine points and collecting five boards.

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Texas Tech officially gets its season underway on November 6th at home against Incarnate Word. Believe it or not, Texas Tech basketball is already back in action.

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