Texas Tech basketball: Red Raiders blow out Cyclones in Ames

Chris Clarke does not play per coach’s decision

The other Red Raider that has been in Chris Beard’s doghouse lately is senior Chris Clarke.  And on Saturday, the grad transfer was the only Red Raider who did not play.

Following the game, Beard said that Clarke was healthy but was held out as a coach’s decision.  It’s not hard to understand why Beard has been frustrated with his team’s leading rebounder and assist man.

In his last two games, he had averaged just two points, and 2.5 rebounds and assists.  Tech has to have more from a player, especially in terms of assists and rebounds, who’s been putting up team-highs of 5.5 assists and 6.0 rebounds per game.

Keep in mind that Tech needs Clarke to be part of this rotation regardless of what the other players are providing.  He’s essentially Beard’s second post presence after T.J. Holyfield.  Despite being just 6-foot-6, he’s strong enough and crafty enough to guard other team’s post players and when he’s struggled, Tech has often been unable to compete in the paint, especially if Holyfield finds himself in foul trouble.

Iowa State is not a big team overall but senior forward Solomon Young did have a strong game on Saturday with 16 points and five rebounds.  Still, Tech was able to win the battle on the boards 34-30 despite the benching of the team’s leading rebounder.

Hopefully, this message will get through to Clarke because this team is better when he is a contributor.  Maybe the fact that his teammates won on the road by 30 points without needing a thing from him other than encouragement from the bench is just the kick in the pants he needs to get back to being the type of player we think he can be.