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Five Thoughts on Oklahoma State’s 75-70 Loss to Texas Tech

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To say Oklahoma State-Texas Tech was a tale of two halves on Tuesday night would be to say Shrek wasn’t an ogre but merely a normal human with some face acne.

Oklahoma State jumped out to a 37-25 lead in the opening half behind a stellar offensive showing. From solid defense to consistent scoring, it was probably the best half I’ve seen them play all season. As a team, OSU shot 47 percent from the floor (15 of 32), 50 percent (5 of 10) from the 3-point line, and limited Texas Tech to 29 percent shooting (7 of 24) from the floor in the first frame.

The second half was a completely flipped script. The Red Raiders offense came alive behind a career-high 25 points from Jarrett Culver, as Tech hit 53 percent of its field goals and 67 percent of its 3s in the final 20 minutes to overcome a 15-point second half deficit and send OSU packing with yet another road L in conference play.

Let’s get into the five thoughts to break this down.

1. Yankuba Sima continues to blossom

Big man from St. John’s may never be an all-league player during his OSU tenure, but boy has he transformed quickly into a weapon for Oklahoma State. Against the Red Raiders, he logged three blocks, altered numerous shots, and generally made life difficult for Tech around the rim. He’s a shot-altering big that gives OSU a dynamic it desperately needed in the frontcourt.

Sima might never be a 15-10 guy — he finished with 5 points and 3 rebounds in 23 minutes of action — but I don’t feel like he’s a brittle big who can’t hold his own. For the most part, he’s been superb in the area OSU needs him, and I think he can continue to be so down the stretch of league play.

2. FOULLLLLLLL

All the fouls! I joked on Twitter that I didn’t want to go full Trae Young but the officiating — both ways, really — was horrendous all night. I watch multiple of hours of games each day during the season, and it was up there among the most painful to watch this season.

All told, the officials called a combined 47 fouls. Twenty-eight of those were on OSU. Do the math and, well, it didn’t add up very nicely for the Pokes. Four OSU players, including three starters, fouled out of the game.

Worst of all, it felt like there was no rhythm of the game. It was completely bogged down by random charge call, one after another.

I’m not crying conspiracy because I genuinely didn’t think the officiating was one-sided. But it’s probably worth noting that only one Texas Tech player was whistled for more than three fouls, and as a team the Red Raiders had nine fewer foul calls.

Maybe just chalk that one up to a ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.

3. Second half whoa’s

I noted how well Texas Tech played in the second half as compared to the first, and yes, percentages certainly do tell a majority of the story. But this tweet gives a better picture of just how bad OSU has been down the stretch.

Maybe it’s a lack of depth that’s hurting OSU in the final frame, considering OSU’s effort output on defense. Or maybe, simply OSU doesn’t yet have the horses to go toe-to-toe with teams for 40 minutes under Boynton. But whatever the case, second half woes (and whoas) have haunted OSU dating back to non-league play against Wichita State.

4. Two-way show at point guard

If you look at overall statistics and impact in per-40 minute frames, Brandon Averette is actually the better option at point guard. Mike Boynton has been rewarding his sophomore as such lately by giving him the nod as a starter, but unlike recent games (Bedlam excluded), Smith and Averette essentially split minutes.

And it’s possible that’s because of Bedlam and Smith’s performance in the rivalry game.

Averette logged 26 minutes and was just 2 of 8 from the floor. He finished with 7 points, 3 assists and 3 rebounds, while Smith got 11 points on 5 of 11, pulled down 3 rebounds and dropped just one dime.

I’m not sure we will get a definitive answer on if either of these options emerge as the go-to at the position, despite the teeter-totter rotation. I thought Boynton did a good job of giving Smith ample time against Tech, though. OSU struggled with a stagnated offense and his injection of athleticism and ability to slice through offense made a real, tangible difference on how the team looked overall.

But some games I think, such as against K-State or TCU, Averette — a steady Eddie who can distribute the rock and find his scorers — might be the best option. I’m fascinated by the real-time battle for minutes, though. Overall I think both are handling it well while Boynton settles on who he can rely on more.

5. Bye bye, NCAAs

Kyle Porter and I went game-by-game on the podcast this week breaking down which games OSU would, and wouldn’t, win. It was an exercise in determing how close OSU might get to the bubble/NCAA Tournament discussion, and we both came to this conclusion: it will have to steal an unexpected win on the road.

Whether that’s against TCU, Kansas, West Virginia — you need to knock down a team likely to be a tourney team to put yourself in the conversation.

That opportunity was nearly seized against Tech. Nearly. And of the remaining road games, it would have probably been the third best available road win, all things considered. So while there are plenty of upcoming games to sneak into the bubble conversation, consider this massive opportunity to jump out in front of things squandered. Tough to blow a 15-point second half lead and keep rolling.


Notebook

• The joy I get from watching Thomas Dziagwa drill triples and smash his head in afterwards is so real. It’s Carmelo-esque, which is maybe why I love it and laugh at it all at the same time.

• Ultimately it made no difference in the final outcome (or did it) but to add to thought two, Brandon Averette was robbed of an and-1 with zero explanation. He sliced between defenders in the lane, Tech was called for a foul after he made the bucket, then refs mysteriously waved the bucket off with no explanation. It resulted in a turnover on the in-bounds play. Urg.

• Guys, I made a new favorite GIF. Also FWIW, Scott Sutton, of all people, was the most visibly upset about OSU losing tonight. I imagine Sean might be a big reason for that.

• So uh, ESPN did a little shenanigans. After the ball floated out of bounds and landed in a fans hands, a Tech fan refused to give up the ball to Kendall Smith, and another Tech fan beside him subsequently appeared to shove Smith. A Marcus Smart incident all over again!

Only problem was, ESPN blotched out basically the entire scene. Total blackout, even after rewinding it. And, conveniently, despite the ref appearing to get involved, ESPN refused to replay the incident. Shenanigans avoided!

• That warm, tingly feeling I get when Dizzy drops a 3-pointer from the logo is the same, exact opposite feeling that overcomes me when either Brandon Averette or Kendall Smith pulls up from beyond the arc.

• Grind.

• Grind.

• Grind.

• The Big 12 is hard. Fortunately, next up is a non-Big 12 game: OSU plays at Arkansas on Saturday in the SEC-Big 12 challenge.

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