Texas Tech basketball: Scouting Georgetown transfer Mac McClung
He has a flair for the dramatic, especially in the clutch
Another area where McClung could be a huge asset for the Red Raiders is at the end of the game (or even end of the half) situations. That’s where Tech was dreadful this season.
McClung has enough confidence to last two lifetimes and when the game is on the line, he looks to take matters in his own hands. He did that in both games that I watched.
Against Creighton, which was ranked No. 25 at the time, he hit a contested jumper off the dribble to give his team a four-point lead in the final 30 seconds. That bucket, which came over two defenders, both of whom had their arms extended to try to block the shot, was the final dagger in the 83-80 Georgetown triumph. One possession later, he made two free throws to extend the lead and slam the door completely shut.
When facing Syracuse, the game was not in doubt in the closing minutes. Rather, the 89-79 Georgetown victory was actually put in the barn by a 14-2 run that closed out the first half.
As I said earlier, McClung had the last nine points in that span including three buckets in the final 30 seconds. First, he cut into the lane to receive a pass and then converted with his off-hand (his left) while absorbing a bump from a pair of defenders. It was yet another truly remarkable display of athleticism.
On the ensuing possession, he tracked down a loose ball that Syracuse had fumbled away and he converted that into a breakaway layup. Then came the play that essentially sealed the game.
After the Orange cut the lead to nine points with a jumper, McClung took the inbounds pass with six seconds to play. He quickly moved down the court to drain a pull-up 3-pointer from a couple of feet behind the arc as time expired. That momentum swing was massive as the Hoyas went to the locker room up double-digits instead of ahead only nine points after dominating the final five minutes of the first half.
How fantastic would it be if McClung were to become Tech’s closer next season? Then perhaps the last-minute failings we saw this season against Creighton, DePaul, Bayor (twice), Kansas, Kentucky, and Oklahoma State might be a thing of the past.