Texas Tech basketball classics: Unranked Red Raiders topple No. 3 OU in 2016

Tech makes the plays down the stretch

Coming off of two-straight upsets of top-25 teams (Iowa State and Baylor), the 2015-16 Red Raiders had played their way into NCAA Tournament consideration.  But ESPN bracketology expert Joe Lunardi still had Smith’s team in the “last four out” group when this game began.  Thus, the visit from the No. 3 Sooners was simply massive and a near-capacity crowd was on hand to support the Red Raiders at a time when sellouts were still rare in the Hub City.

In a game that was played within about a six-point range either way for virtually the entire evening, Tech was tested and the young Red Raiders responded.  Remember that Evans, Gray, and Smith were just sophomores at this time (Odiase did not play because of a broken foot).

But bolstered by veterans like Toddrick Gotcher, Aaron Ross, and Devaugnta Williams, this young core of the program came through in the clutch.  And not surprisingly, it was Keenan Evans at the helm in the last few possessions.

With his team down 61-60, he stole a pass with two minutes to play and drove all the way to the rim where he split three defenders and converted a layup that would give the home team the lead for good.  It was the 12th lead change of the game.

After the teams traded misses, Evans found himself at the line with just 30 seconds to play.  He hit both ends of a 1-and-1 to push Tech’s lead to 64-61.  Then, following an OU layup, he hit the first of two free throws to put the Red Raiders up 65-63.

But one final stop was needed.  Thankfully, OU’s own legendary head coach, Lon Kruger, called for a strange play.

Despite having the nation’s leading scorer, Buddy Hield, on the floor, Kruger drew up an alley-oop play that was unsuccessful.  All the while, Hield, and his 28.1 points-per-game, simply stood in the corner of the court having as much impact as the popcorn salesman in the front row.

OU did corral the offensive board but Ryan Spangler couldn’t put the ball in the hoop and Tech survived.  There was controversy and consternation from Sooner fans who felt like Spangler was fouled and who also argued that Gotcher should have been called for traveling as he sprinted down the floor with the ball after Spangler’s miss and celebrate the 65-63 win.

But in a classic case of the Big 12 refs swallowing their whistles, no call was made in the frantic final sequence and the Red Raiders had their biggest win of the year.   But it wouldn’t have come if Tubby Smith hadn’t made one critical strategic change.