Texas Tech basketball: Pop Isaacs lifts Red Raiders over NIU in final second

Isaacs plays his best game of the year for Texas Tech

Tech fans had to be happy with what we saw from Pop Isaacs on Thursday.  With 18 points on 7-17 shooting, he was the most efficient he’s been all season.

It would still be great to see his 3-point shooting improve when it comes to his shot selection.  However, after he went 4-11 from deep against UNI, it is obvious that Isaacs has the green light from McCasland and he’s going to let it fly from anywhere in the half-court setting.

It was important for Isaacs to get off to a positive start in this game after he struggled to a 4-14 shooting effort on Wednesday against Villanova.  After missing his first shot of the day, he nailed his second to put Tech on the board and take some pressure off of himself.

Eleven of his 18 points came in the first half and that seemed to keep him engaged in the game, even when the going was tough. At times this year, it has seemed that he’s struggled with frustration as his body language has not always been positive.

This year, Isaacs had not shot over 33% in a game prior to Thursday.  Against UNI, though, he shot 41.4% in what was his most efficient showing thus far.

The Red Raiders desperately need this type of performance from Isaacs on the regular.  Tech doesn’t have other playmakers who can do what he does and when he and Toussaint are both on their game, McCasland’s team has just enough offense to put itself in position to win close games against decent teams.  That was the formula on Thursday and it’s one that needs to be repeated frequently this season.