Texas Tech basketball: The one area where Chris Beard has struggled since taking over

This year has been extremely frustrating when it comes to close games

By now, you don’t need me to remind you of all the close losses this team has sustained this season.  But what is worth considering is the myriad of problems that have arisen during those setbacks.

Indeed, it hasn’t just been one issue that’s cost Tech some key victories in the six OT or one-score losses thus far.  In fact, it’s almost felt like something different every game.

Against Crighton in Las Vegas, Davide Moretti was knocked to the ground on the last possession of regulation after coming up with a steal on a play that would have drawn a whistle had it occurred at any other portion of the game.  But the refs swallowed their whistle and Tech couldn’t make the plays needed to win when the game went to OT.

Moretti was at the center of more drama in the next game when Tech fell in OT at DePaul.  His missed free throw in the closing seconds allowed DePaul to hit a game-tying three on its last possession of regulation.

In the OT loss to Kentucky, Moretti also missed the first of two free throws with 18 seconds to play meaning that he was only able to tie the game with his second attempt.  Then, in the closing seconds of OT, Terrence Shannon had a shot blocked just one possession before Moretti turned the ball over on the Red Raiders’ final attempt to tie or win the game.

In the 73-70 loss to Oklahoma State, another turnover swung the game in the closing minute as Jahmi’us Ramsey had the ball stolen from him with his team down just one point.  And on the ensuing possession, Tech gave up an offensive rebound that led to two huge OSU free throws.

That brings us to Monday night’s loss to Baylor.  In the final 1:30 of regulation, Tech turned the ball over three times in a row.  On three possessions with the game tied at 60, Tech failed to get off a single shot, did not draw a foul, and did not make any play that would be considered a winning play (at least on offense) by Chris Beard.

In OT, Chris Clarke turned the ball over on a risky pass with just 12 seconds to play and Tech down 69-68.  That gaffe came on the fast break when Clarke would have been wise to simply attack the basket rather than try to loft a pass to Kevin McCullar as he did.

Then, the best Tech could manage when needing a three-pointer to tie the game was a desperation heave from Davide Moretti who looked like he was trying to draw the foul more than actually make the basket.  That came despite Tech having 12 seconds to create something, more than enough time to try to get a better look than the one they settled for.