money No. 12 Texas Tech basketball looks to end regular season on high note against Oklahoma State
In some respects, the Texas Tech men's basketball team may face its stiffest challenge of the season in its regular-season finale.
The No. 12 Red Raiders, who have won three games away from Lubbock, are looking to end their season on a high note when they take on Oklahoma State inside Gallagher-Iba Arena in the final Big 12 Conference game for both squads.
In addition to trying to win on the road, Texas Tech coach Mark Adams laid out several other factors that make the game more daunting — including the fact that it will be the Cowboys final game of the season.
'They really just screwed a bunch of kids': NCAA denies appeal, bans OSU men's basketball from postseason
Last November, the NCAA Infractions Appeals Committee upheld a one-year postseason ban and other penalties against the program. The result is OSU will not play in the NCAA Tournament and are ineligible for the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City next week.
So, this is it, and Adams knows.
"We'd be naive if we didn't understand what we're getting into," he said. "First of all, it's a road game, that's a challenge in itself. ... This will be their last game to play as a team and they know it.
"They'll treat it like a Super Bowl and we'll get their best shot emotionally and physically. It's a huge challenge for us."
The Red Raiders are coming off a 73-68 home victory over Kansas State — allowing Texas Tech to secure its first 18-0 record inside United Supermarkets Arean. It also marked the first undefeated record at home since the 1995-96 season.
That occurred thanks to Davion Warren turning in one of his best performances, which included a season-high 23 points to go along with four rebounds and four steals in 30 minutes of action.
"I showed that I can score at this level," Warren said of his performance Monday. "But since I've been here, I've been programmed to play defense. That's what I'm starting to fall in love with, being a defender."
Adams was pleased to see another player step up and help Bryson Williams, who scored 19 points on Monday night and is averaging 16.3 points per game in conference play.
“Davion, he kind of took the game over,” Adams said after his team improved to 23-7 overall and 12-5 in the Big 12 to stay in the race for a regular season conference championship. “They were double-teaming Bryson. Bryson obviously has a good game night in and night out.”
More: How to watch, stream Texas Tech basketball vs. Oklahoma State
The Red Raiders will need a full-team effort Saturday afternoon against an Oklahoma State squad buzzing after a 53-36 road win over Iowa State — holding the Cyclones to their lowest point total inside Hilton Coliseum.
The Cowboys (14-15, 7-10) have confidence and the mentality of knowing — no matter the outcome — their season comes to a close once the buzzer sounds.
“Maybe my time in basketball,” Boynton said Wednesday on the radio following the win over Iowa State, ranking the level of satisfaction for how OSU won with its defense.
“Because of all the circumstances. You get to this point of the year and what they did tonight, the selfless nature that you have to defend at that level for 40 minutes on the road. Phenomenal.
“I couldn't be more proud of a group of guys for sticking together, for believing in what our values are and giving us a chance to try to finish the season on a high note.”
Oklahoma State can do that if they turn in another strong defensive performance and get more offense out of Avery Anderson III, Moussa Cisse and Bryce Thompson who have led the scoring attack the last five games.
Anderson has notched 16.4 points per game, while Thompson has averaged 11.6 and Cisse has been at 9.8 during that stretch. Thompson leads the team in scoring, and is the only double-digit scorer at 10.6 points this season.
"Mike's done a fabulous job of keeping his guys focused and motivated," Adams said. "I was in a situation like that back at West Texas A&M. ... It's tough to get those guys going and keep them motivated. I feel sorry for his players and even their staff.
"But he's done an incredible job. ... They'll be ready for us."
Injury updates
The Red Raiders have not had a squad at full health for a part of the conference season. That won't change Saturday, but the availability of certain players might.
Daniel Batcho (knee) and Terrence Shannon, Jr. (back) practiced Wednesday and are expected to travel to Stillwater, Oklahoma. Kevin McCullar (left ankle) is listed as a game-time decision by Adams.
Batcho and McCullar did not play Monday against Kansas State, while Shannon did but tweaked his back, according to Adams, and led to him logging 18 minutes in the win.
"Cross our fingers and hope that we'll all be healthy and ready for the Big 12 Tournament," Adams said Thursday.
NO. 12 TEXAS TECH AT OKLAHOMA STATE
When: 2 p.m. Saturday
Where: Gallagher-Iba Arena, Stillwater, Oklahoma
Records: Texas Tech 23-7, 12-5. Oklahoma State 14-15, 7-10
Online stream: ESPN+
Radio: FM 97.3
Notable: Texas Tech owns a 5-25 record all-time when playing in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Game coverage: Follow @cmsilvajr on Twitter for live updates, with postgame recap and interviews to follow on www.lubbockonline.com.
BIG 12 MEN'S BASKETBALL STANDINGS
Team Big 12 record Overall record
Baylor 13-4 25-5
Kansas 12-4 23-6
Texas Tech 12-5 23-7
Texas 10-7 21-9
TCU 8-8 19-9
Iowa State 7-10 20-10
Oklahoma State 7-10 14-15
Oklahoma 6-11 16-14
Kansas State 6-11 14-15
West Virginia 3-14 14-16
THURSDAY'S SCHEDULE
TCU vs. Kansas,
SATURDAY'S SCHEDULE
TCU at West Virginia, 2 p.m., ESPN+
Texas Tech at Oklahoma State, 2 p.m., ESPN+
Oklahoma at Kansas State, 3 p.m., ESPN+
Texas at Kansas, 3 p.m., ESPN
Iowa State at Baylor, 5 p.m., ESPN2
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech looks to finish season on high note in game against OSU
