‘D’ to be key for squad
SAN DIEGO — Mark Adams is a glass-half-empty type of person.
But even the pessimistic first-year Texas Tech could not have been happier with the play of his defense, which led to offense, in a statement 97-62 win over Montana State in a firstround NCAA Tournament game.
“I don’t know if I could have scripted this any better,” Adams said following Friday’s win. “It was a great game for us.”
Now, they need to do it again two days later.
The No. 3 seed Red Raiders advanced to the Round of 32 and are set to take on Notre Dame in a 6:10 p.m. Sunday matchup against Notre Dame with the winner advancing to the Sweet 16.
Texas Tech is looking to advance to the third round for the third time since 2018 — the last time included a special run to the NCAA title contest back in 2019.
This time around, the Red Raiders will compete against the Fighting Irish — an opponent with not much of a series history. The only time the two teams squared off back on Dec. 6, 1975, was in South Bend, which ended in an 88-63 Notre Dame win.
The adjustments Adams has made have evolved into his no-middle, “side” defense which has been copied and utilized by college and some NBA teams around the country. Baylor used it last season to claim the program’s national title.
Adams has joked that Bears coach Scott Drew, “ran it better than me” when asked about other people in his profession trying to install his unique defense that attempts to funnel the ball toward the side of the court before all five defenders swarm and defend to keep it there until a turnover, contested shot or stop is achieved.
“That’s the best defensive team in the country for a reason,” Montana State coach Danny Sprinkle said Friday. “They make every catch hard. They contest not only every shot, they contest every pass, and they made it really difficult for us.”
Notre Dame guard Cormac Ryan feels it will be a competitive matchup against the Texas Tech defense, which is yielding 60.4 points per game — good for No. 11 in the country.
“I mean, I think when you’ve got a group that’s rolling like we are, playing games close together I think is actually a great thing,” said Ryan, who hit seven 3pointers in a 78-64 win over Alabama on Friday. “Just keep the mojo going, keep the flow. … We’d play today (Saturday) if we could.
We’re hungry, we want to get out on the court, lace them up and go get it.
“Texas Tech is a strong defensive team, and we’re going to be prepared to play a competitive, tough game. That’s what you sign up for in March Madness and that’s what we’re going to get.”
Adams agreed about facing off against the No. 11 seed Fighting Irish.
“I know he’s got a great offensive mind and defensive mind,” Adams said Saturday of Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey. “So they play really good defense, as well, and block out and don’t give up a lot of second and third shots.
“I don’t know exactly what he’s going to do with only another day to get ready for our defense. And it’s kind of the same on our end. … At the end of the day, it comes back to we’ve just got to play well, do what we do best and stick to our identity. And I’m sure they’ll do the same.”