Kevin Obanor expects 'something beautiful' as Texas Tech begins Big 12 Conference Tournament against West Virginia
KANSAS CITY — Two days ago, Kevin Obanor was shocked.
The Texas Tech senior, who's been on an endless roller coaster ride of emotions along with his teammates throughout the regular season, was dealt another piece of adversity prior to postseason play.
The Red Raiders found out their head coach Mark Adams was suspended Sunday “in relation to the use of an inappropriate, unacceptable, and racially insensitive comment last week,” according to a Texas Tech news release.
More:Texas Tech head coach Mark Adams suspended pending investigation by athletic director Kirby Hocutt
"Was I surprised? Yeah," Obanor said of learning about Adams' suspension. "Life happens sometimes. In a time like that, we knew we needed each other more than ever. So, just trying to bring each other close to each other and be there for each other. That's been a big emphasis for us."
Corey Williams, who was named the interim coach for the Big 12 Tournament, will look to bring this squad of 13 players together as the Red Raiders (16-15) prepares to face off against West Virginia (18-15) for the third time at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
"People think we're wounded, but we've got a plan," Williams said, " ... We got to find a gameplan and execute and have the opportunity to win the basketball game. This is not about anything else — not the noise, not the surroundings, it's about these players and the time they put into their craft to get us to this point. Now we've got to go out and execute."
As of Tuesday, Williams said he has not been in contact with Adams the past two days. But the Texas Tech assistant, who was elevated to interim head coach, admitted he will reach out before Wednesday's tipoff.
"I just think that we all need some time and I want to give him his space," Williams said if it would be awkward to have a conversation with Adams amid the circumstances since Sunday. "Give this team some space and coach this basketball team. Our focus is on this team right now."
The main focus has been keeping the outside distractions to a minimum, according to Williams. In the past two days, he feels he's done the best he can to do that — much less prepare for the Mountaineers, who have won their last two games.
"We can't lose 10," Williams said of Erik Stevenson, who wears No. 10 and averages a team-best 15.5 points for the Mountaineers this season. "We gotta make sure we in his personal space, make him put it (the ball) on the floor.
"It's gonna to come down to who gets those 50-50 balls and which team has the will, the capacity, the ability to allow us to be able to win the basketball game. ... We understand that they are tough, physical basketball team and we certainly want to make sure we fight fire with fire."
Stevenson, who netted 21.5 points in the previous two contests against the Red Raiders, is one of four players averaging double figures, including Tre Mitchell (11.5 points per game, 5.3 rebounds per game), Kedrian Johnson (11.0 ppg, 2.1 rpg) and Emmitt Matthews, Jr. (10.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg).
Among those defensive assignments, the Texas Tech players have also had to go through interviews by athletic Kirby Hocutt and other staffers Sunday as part of a more thorough inquiry of Adams’ interactions with his players and staff.
"We handled it pretty good," Obanor said of how his team dealt with the suspension over the last two days. "At first, it was kind of a nail-biter. But, through this whole season — it's had its ups and downs. I think, for such a time as this.
"Those moments, right there, have prepared us for something like this. Win-or-go-home situation, right here, I'm going to continue to play for my guys and vice-versa. It's very hard to play against a desperate team. Expect a lot of madness."
Texas Tech will be able to counter with a healthy roster that should include Daniel Batcho, who's been dealing with nagging foot injuries the last several weeks. Fardaws Aimaq also appears to be turning a corner after missing the first 16 games to start the season. In 10 games played, he's netting 11.8 points and 8.3 rebounds.
"I think something beautiful is about to happen through all the chaos and the madness," Obanor said. "We just have to stay close to each other, keep believing, having faith and everything will be in God's hands."
Practice notes
Mark Adams' son, Luke, was also not at Tuesday's practice prior to the Big 12 Tournament. Luke Adams hired as the Director of Player Development following a four-season run at New Mexico Junior College last April. Luke Adams also played guard for the Red Raiders from 2012-15 and was an Academic All-Big 12 first team selection.
The Texas Tech men's basketball team had all players available to practice Tuesday, including Daniel Batcho who'd been dealing with a nagging foot injury the last several weeks. He was the final player the Red Raiders were attempting to get healthy toward the end of the season.
TEXAS TECH VS. WEST VIRGINIA
When: 6 p.m. Wednesday
Where: T-Mobile Center, Kansas City
Records: Texas Tech 16-15. West Virginia 18-13
TV: ESPNU
Radio: FM 97.3
Coverage: Follow writers @cmsilvajr and @byStephenGarcia, along with photographer @annierice_photo on Twitter for live updates, with postgame analysis and images at lubbockonline.com.
Fast fact: The winner between Texas Tech and West Virginia takes on top-seeded Kansas at 2 p.m. Thursday. The contest is set to be broadcast on ESPN or ESPN2.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Kevin Obanor expects 'something beautiful' as Texas Tech begins Big 12 Conference Tournament against West Virginia
