3. This loss is a learning experience
This could be said for just about every team, regardless of who and when during the season. However, early-season losses are much easier to handle than late in the season, when jockeying for seeding in the NCAA Tournament. Both of these teams are expected to be dancing in March and expected to be near the top of their conference.
COVID affects the most on the teams with either roster overhauls or coaching changes. Schemes aren’t implemented yet, practices are limited, physical practice is set to a minimum. That was the case with Texas Tech as Shannon and Edwards are the only two that played last season in Lubbock.
Beard made it a priority to get talent out of the transfer market when they snagged Santos-Silva and McClung. However, it is clear they need more time to gel as McClung was just 3-11 from the field and Santos-Silva had six turnovers on only just three shots attempted. That can’t happen for someone that is coming off two magnificent performances to begin his Red Raider career.
Over the course of the year, Tech will be able to gel better and get more comfortable with the system and how Beard wants them to play. Freshman Micah Peavy shot 6-8 from the field and scored 12 points. That is an encouraging sign for the Red Raiders and help them, alongside 10-14 from the free throw line for McClung. It was not enough Sunday to escape Fort Worth with a sweep of the field.