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Texas Tech basketball: Hidden moments in Tech’s victory over UT

By Matthew Conner

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 05: The Texas Tech Red Raiders mascot looks on during practice prior to the 2019 NCAA men's Final Four at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 5, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 05: The Texas Tech Red Raiders mascot looks on during practice prior to the 2019 NCAA men's Final Four at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 5, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Jericho Sims #20 of the Texas Longhorns (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
Jericho Sims #20 of the Texas Longhorns (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

UT forward Jericho Sims Fouls out

While Matt Coleman is UT’s best playe, forward Jericho Sims might be the Horns’ most important.  That’s because the 6-foot-9 junior is an explosive athlete who can guard every spot on the floor as well as dominate on the glass and protect the rim.

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"“There’s no doubt about it, he was a focal point of our game plan,” Beard said.  “He’s a special player.  He affects the game on both ends…I don’t know if there’s any one thing we did that we can take credit for but I will tell you, he’s a focal point.  We talked about him all week in preparation, in-game coaching, constantly reminding the guys that he’s a real difference-maker.”"

On Saturday, Sims was held to just two points and four rebounds.  That’s far below his averages of 9.7 points and 7.9 rebounds.

It was foul trouble that hurt Sims.  For the game, he played only 19 minutes.  And when Kai Jones was lost after playing only eight, it means that the two primary big men for Texas played just a combined 27 minutes out of a possible 80.

Remember that 8-0 first-half run that we analyzed earlier?  It began the moment Sims went to the bench with his second foul  At that point, he had already accrued all of the positive stats that he would on the afternoon and he’d been a significant component of the defense that had stifled the Red Raiders.  He did not return for the remainder of the half.

After the intermission, he picked up foul No. 3 as Kyler Edwards drove at him with 17:16 to go.  He would sit out for almost four minutes and during that time, Tech had made up five points on the scoreboard.

Foul No. 4 came with 10:42 to go and again, it came on a Kyler Edwards drive.  Bumping Edwards as he hit a contested layup, Sims was sent to the bench again, this time with his team ahead only 41-38.

When Sims returned with 3:51 to go, the game was even at 52.  He would last only 34 seconds before picking up his final foul.  And you guessed, correctly…it came on a Kyler Edwards drive.

On that play, Edwards passed up an open 3-pointer and drove to the rim where he and Sims met.  Ewards hit both free throws to tie the game and on Tech’s next possession, Terrence Shannon put his team ahead for good.

Jericho Sims is the biggest mismatch on the UT roster.  So much of what Shaka Smart wants to do runs through him and Coleman.  When Tech was able to send Sims to the bench for the remainder of the game, UT was forced to finish the game without a third starter and the most athletic and disruptive force on their roster

Next. Texas Tech all-decade centers. dark

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Notice that on each of the three second-half fouls Sims collected, Edwards drew them by driving the ball to the lane.  Sometimes the benefit of attacking the basket is about more than just scoring points.  It is about imposing your will on your opponent and forcing the officials to make calls. That’s what Tech did to neutralize Sims on Saturday and it was a huge reason the Red Raiders were able to pull off the season’s largest comeback.

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