Wreck'Em Red
Fansided

Texas Tech basketball: Hidden moments in Tech’s loss to Kansas

By Matthew Conner

Dec 17, 2020; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Marcus Garrett (0) works the ball against Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Micah Peavy (5) in the second half at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2020; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Marcus Garrett (0) works the ball against Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Micah Peavy (5) in the second half at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 17, 2020; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Dajuan Harris Jr. (3) works the ball against Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Mac McClung (0) in the second half at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2020; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Dajuan Harris Jr. (3) works the ball against Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Mac McClung (0) in the second half at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

KU gets a 3 from an unlikely source

Freshman Dajuan Harris averages just 1.8 points per game for the Jayhawks.  What’s more, entering Thursday, he had made just one 3-pointer on the season.  So of course, he hit his second against the Red Raiders in a game in which every point was crucial.

After Terrance Shannon went 1-for-2 from the line to give Tech a 47-46 lead with 7:46 to play, KU worked the ball around and it found its way to a wide-open Harris, who sank his second three-pointer of the season.

There were two Red Raider freshmen who made mistakes on this play.  First, Micah Peavy, who was guarding Harris, got caught watching the ball and lost sight of the 6-foot-1 KU guard allowing Harris to get open.

Second, as the cross-court pass over the Tech defense found its way to Harris, Tyreek Smith was the closest Red Raider to him.  But perhaps because of the scouting report or perhaps because of the fact that Smith is still learning how to play in Beard’s defensive system, he didn’t contest Harris’ open jumper.  Rather, he just sat back and played as if he were expecting the guard to drive the ball.

In any close game, points from unexpected sources loom large.  Harris’ three points on Thursday was a season-high for him and it appeared that it took the Red Raiders by surprise when he pulled the trigger from deep.

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