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Texas Tech basketball: The good, bad, and ugly from loss to Houston

By Matthew Conner

DALLAS, TX - MARCH 17: The Texas Tech Red Raiders mascot performs during the game against the Florida Gators during the second round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at the American Airlines Center on March 17, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - MARCH 17: The Texas Tech Red Raiders mascot performs during the game against the Florida Gators during the second round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at the American Airlines Center on March 17, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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LUBBOCK, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 25: Guard Micah Peavy #5 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders shoots a layup during the first half of the college basketball game against the Northwestern State Demons at United Supermarkets Arena on November 25, 2020 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 25: Guard Micah Peavy #5 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders shoots a layup during the first half of the college basketball game against the Northwestern State Demons at United Supermarkets Arena on November 25, 2020 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

The Good: Peavy grows up

Though Mac McClung led the Red Raiders in scoring with 16 points, you could argue that Tech’s best player on the day was true freshman Micah Peavy.  Playing just miles from his hometown of Duncanville, the 6-foot-7 forward had an excellent all-around game.

Shooting 6-8 from the floor, he had 12 points, second-most on the team.  He also gave his team four rebounds and an assist.

It is interesting to see how freshmen play the first time they face legitimate top-25 competition and Peavy passed his personal test.  He was not intimidated by the physical Cougars and as he battled, you could see him grow up a little bit.  He even had the courage to get chippy and push back against some Cougars who tried to push him around both during play and after the whistle.

In the first half, Peavy essentially was the Red Raider offense for a period of time.  He scored six of Tech’s first nine points as he tried to keep his team in the game amidst an onslaught from the Cougars.

It was an impressive showing after he had a quiet afternoon on Friday against Sam Houston State.  That day, he didn’t score and only attempted two shots in 17 minutes of action.

But he was far more aggressive and much more confident against the Cougars on Sunday.  However, there remains an aspect of his game that must improve.

Thus far, Peavy is 0-6 on the year from the free-throw line.  That included an 0-3 showing on Sunday. (He did make one free throw but had it wiped out by a lane violation on the part of Marcus Santos-Silva.)

Peavy is proving to be a physical player who gets his nose dirty.  Thus, he’s going to go the line quite a bit in his career and he’s got to start making the most of those opportunities.

Free-throws aside, the youngster was excellent on Sunday.  He responded to the increase in competition by taking his game and his physicality to a new level and that’s an encouraging sign early in the year.

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