In college basketball, the first quarter can often feel like a mirage, as Texas Tech found out against Iowa State. The Red Raiders started with a bang, building a 12-point lead early on.
But as we've seen before, early leads can be deceptive. Iowa State turned the tables, pulling ahead by halftime and eventually cruising to a 75-53 victory.
It's a reminder that in college hoops, the second quarter often tells the real story.
Texas Tech's woes were compounded by injuries to key players LeJuan Watts and Christian Anderson. Watts' ankle sprain seems manageable, but Anderson's potential groin injury could be a bigger concern. If either or both miss time in the NCAA tournament, Texas Tech might struggle to advance beyond the first round.
Despite the loss, the Red Raiders did excel in a couple of areas. They allowed just seven offensive rebounds and kept turnovers to ten.
Normally, those stats would suggest a win, but poor shooting and defense told a different story. Texas Tech hit only 31 percent from three-point range, while Iowa State shot a sizzling 54 percent overall.
Looking ahead, it might be time for Texas Tech to shake up their lineup. Marial Akuentok and Josiah Moseley could take over minutes from Luke Bamgboye, whose struggles on the glass have been notable. Similarly, Leon Horner might be a better option than Tyeree Bryan, providing potential for growth and development.
Defensively, Donovan Atwell shone by holding Iowa State's Milan Momcilovic to just five points. Atwell's defensive prowess is well-respected within the Big XII, and his performance was a rare highlight for the Red Raiders.
In terms of strategy, Texas Tech might consider adjusting their short roll plays. Christian Anderson and Josiah Moseley showed promise in this setup, but positioning adjustments could enhance their effectiveness.
Lastly, the game was marred by a slippery LED court, which seemed to cause balance issues for players on both sides. If this contributed to Anderson's injury, it's a concern that needs addressing to ensure player safety.
Overall, Texas Tech has some decisions to make as they prepare for the NCAA tournament. Adjustments in strategy and lineup could be key to their success moving forward.