Texas Tech basketball: Why the Red Raiders were nearly upset by OK State

Tech’s 3-point defense was uncharacteristically poor

One one hand, we must give the Cowboys their due.  In hitting a school-record 17 three-point shots, they put on a shooting exhibition unlike any were have seen from a visiting team in the history of the United Supermarkets Arena.

That was especially true of junior guard Lindy Waters, who drilled several of his seven 3’s over Red Raider defenders.  But that should not overshadow the fact that Tech was terrible when it came to defending the perimeter.

Outside of Water’s miracle shots in the final minutes of regulation and overtime, too many of OSU’s looks from deep were wide open looks.  That was certainly the case for the majority of the six 3’s Thomas Dziagwa hit on the night as well as the 3-pointer that walk-on Dee Mitchell made to put OSU up 59-58 with 3:34 to play in the second half.

And once Tech allowed Waters and Dziagwa to find their rhythm, it looked like the Red Raiders forgot how to guard the three-point line.  In fact, Waters’ ability to shoot off the dribble baffled Texas Tech all night as the Red Raiders were unable to figure out how to switch on ball screens in order to keep a defender in Waters’ pocket.

Then there were moments of just confounding lapses in execution.  Most notably was Jarrett Culver’s failure to foul Waters in the final seconds of regulation.

As Waters had the ball near mid-court, Culver inexplicably reached around to try to knock the ball away rather than just fouling him.  So instead of putting Waters on the free throw line and forcing OSU to make one free throw and miss one, get the rebound and hit another shot, Tech gave the hottest shooter on the planet at that point to have a decent look from deep and Waters drained it.

All season, Tech has been among the top five teams in the nation in defending the 3-pointer.  But for some reason, the Red Raiders got away from that Wednesday night and it nearly cost them dearly.