Bill Self wasn't loving what he saw from his team in what he deemed a no-pressure situation. No. 1 KU basketball had controlled the game against Texas Tech for the majority of the contest, but KU’s grasp had started to loosen. Texas Tech looked poised to make KU uncomfortable down the stretch.
Self didn’t hold back during the under-eight media timeout of the second half and told his team exactly what he was thinking. The Jayhawks responded with some clutch play to defeat Texas Tech, 66-62.
“Gosh dang guys, I don't know why you're playing so tight; West Virginia won” Self recalled telling his team. “They just kind of looked at me. I said, 'We're just playing for pride, just have fun.' And they did compete down the stretch."
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West Virginia’s win is what made the final minutes a no-pressure situation. For Baylor to grab a share of the Big 12 title, it first needed to defeat West Virginia. Then the Bears needed KU to lose to Texas Tech. By the time the first media timeout of the second half came, West Virginia had already won. Self said he was made aware on the sideline.
At the time of Self’s talk with his players, KU held a two-point lead over Texas Tech.
After the under-eight timeout, KU finished the game shooting 7 for 10 from the field with only two turnovers. The Jayhawks did leave points at the free throw line, as Marcus Garrett missed the front end of a late one and one, but still held on to close the game out.
It might not have been perfect, but it appeared to be a step in the right direction for KU.
"I thought we were good, and certainly made plays down the stretch,” Self said. “Ochai [Agbaji]'s 3 down the stretch, Marcus' unbelievable play at the end of the shot clock. And then, of course, Christian [Braun]'s play in transition. We didn't make all our free throws down the stretch but we made enough."
Agbaji’s 3 and Braun’s late steal and score were important, but no play meant more than Garrett's shot.
With about 40 seconds to play, KU led Texas Tech by two points. At the end of the shot clock, Garrett drove into the lane, absorbed contact, and made a running floater that banked off the backboard.
The shot reminded Self of another big shot that was hit by a KU guard in Lubbock.
"I told the guys it was like Devonte [Graham]'s play two years ago,” Self said. “Devonte's shot clinched a Big 12 Championship. This one wasn't as big, but it was the same exact situation. Nothing going on, nothing. And [Garrett] puts his head down and drives it and throws a little mini running hook."
Udoka Azubuike was there for Graham’s shot two years ago. He thought Garrett’s shot was clutch, too.
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“That was a huge layup he made over there,” Azubuike said. “That was big time."
As KU enters the win-or-go-home part of the year, late game execution will be important in closing teams out. So what’s the key going forward?
“Just executing and staying composed out there,” said point guard Devon Dotson. “Don't let the fans get into it. It's big when we have experience and guys that we can rely on."
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Bill Self used unique tactic to spark KU basketball late at TTU - 247Sports
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