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Texas Tech basketball: Players that have to step up to stop losing streak

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TX - JANUARY 26: Kyler Edwards #0 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders goes to the basket against Keyshawn Embery-Simpson #11 of the Arkansas Razorbacks during the second half of the game on January 26, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Arkansas 67-64. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX - JANUARY 26: Kyler Edwards #0 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders goes to the basket against Keyshawn Embery-Simpson #11 of the Arkansas Razorbacks during the second half of the game on January 26, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Arkansas 67-64. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /
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LUBBOCK, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 24: Guard Terrence Shannon #1 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 24: Guard Terrence Shannon #1 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

Terrence Shannon Jr. may have discovered his role against Creighton

Every team needs a garbage man; someone to do the dirty work.  For years, that was Norense Odiase or Justin Gray.

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This year, that needs to be Terrence Shannon Jr.  The 6-foot-7 freshman started to do just that against Creighton and was a major reason his team was able to claw its way back into the game and get to overtime.

It isn’t that Shannon can’t be an offensive factor.  After all, he’s averaging 9.6 points per game and he scored 8.5 p.p.g. in Vegas.

But he’s not yet skilled enough to be a creator and his outside shot, while improved, remains a work in progress.  So where he can do the most for his team is when it comes to doing things that don’t always show up on the stat sheet.  He needs to watch game film of guys like Odiase and Gray or Toddrick Gotcher, or Jaye Crockett.  Shannon needs to perfect the art of acquiring floor burns.

What surprised many of us about Shannon was that he arrived already looking like he’d been in a college strength program for years.  Unlike many freshmen, he already has the strength to battle with players larger and older than he is.

Against Creighton, he was integral in the comeback because he was able to save a number of loose balls, deflect some passes, and grab some offensive rebounds.  Unfortunately, that’s not what the rest of his teammates were able (or willing )to do and it cost Tech the game because Creighton made more of the dirty plays at the end of regulation and in OT.

Texas Tech under Chris Beard has become a program known for collecting more floor burns than any other.  Beard preaches to his team that they are expected to be the first to the floor when there is a loose ball.

Next. What we learned in Vegas. dark

We haven’t seen that mentality take root just yet but after the second game in Vegas, it appears that Shannon might be getting that message.  He’s more than just a glue guy but right now, his team needs him to lead the way in the less pleasant aspects of the game and if he can take pride in being this year’s garbage man, it will make him a favorite among his teammates, coaches, and fans.

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