Texas Tech basketball: What we want to see vs. Incarnate Word

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - DECEMBER 06: Guard Mac McClung #0 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders takes the court before the college basketball game against the Grambling State Tigers at United Supermarkets Arena on December 06, 2020 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - DECEMBER 06: Guard Mac McClung #0 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders takes the court before the college basketball game against the Grambling State Tigers at United Supermarkets Arena on December 06, 2020 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
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Dec 17, 2020; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Kyler Edwards (11) looks for an opening against Kansas Jayhawks forward David McCormick (33) in the first half at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2020; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Kyler Edwards (11) looks for an opening against Kansas Jayhawks forward David McCormick (33) in the first half at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Kyler Edwards finds his offense

Speaking of Kyler Edwards, let’s hope that tonight he finds his all-around offensive game.  In fact, let’s hope that he relies less on the 3-point shot than he has in recent weeks because he’s become too dependant on that one aspect of his game.

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In his last two games, he’s attempted only five 2-point shots while launching eight shots from 3-point range.  That’s a shot distribution that only a shooter the likes of Davide Moretti or Stan Bonewitz should have.

It’s tough to remember the last time Edwards drove the ball to the rim for a layup.  It’s also tough to recall the last time he created anything for a teammate off the dribble.

To remember what Edwards can be when he’s at his best, we need to go back to last season’s road game at Kansas State.  That night, he took over down the stretch when Beard put him in pick-and-roll sets at the top of the key.

In that game, 10 of his 14 shots were from 2-point range and he even went to the line three times on his way to 24 huge points.  That began a run of three out of four games that saw him score at least 18 points.

Again, this year’s team doesn’t need Edwards to score 20 points a night to have success and he certainly doesn’t need to score that much to beat Incarnate Word.  But let’s see if he becomes a more all-around offensive player tonight because he has become far too reliant on his 3-point shot.