Kevin Obanor has no regrets after returning to Texas Tech, enduring difficult season

The question has been asked too many times for Kevin Obanor to remember.

“Do you regret returning to Texas Tech?”

The Texas Tech senior, who elected to return for some ”unfinished business,” expected a bit more in terms of wins and postseason aspirations. But, the Houston native admitted his final year donning the scarlet and black has been a positive learning experience all the same.

Many of those lessons have come in the form of losses and becoming a better servant leader on and off the court.

”I don’t regret coming back, even the way this season went,” Obanor said. ”Those losses, it builds endurance and makes a person resilient. There’s still hope for that.

“Just grateful these last couple of weeks, especially as it’s been hitting hard. I’m just trying to tell the young guys to appreciate it because the days are going by fast. It’s already March. Just taking it one day at time. Just embracing it.”

Putting it in God’s hands

Obanor is a religious spirit thanks to the tutelage of his parents — Johanna and Ken — both ministers.

Kevin has done his best on a daily basis to provide his personal testimony through his successes and failures on the basketball court. Win or lose, Obanor has kept the same even-keeled attitude through it all.

It’s been a calming presence for the five freshmen and two sophomores who have all been learning on the fly through the regular season.

Pop Isaacs and Robert Jennings Jr. both have said Obanor has provided advice about not panicking when shots aren’t falling, keeping the same energy on the offensive and defensive ends.

Even when playing time has been a topic of discussion, Obanor has been quick to use the phrase, ”Everyone runs their own race,” a statement Texas Tech coach Mark Adams has used to describe the process a player undergoes before developing into the finished product.

Isaacs and Jennings, along with Lamar Washington and Elijah Fisher, are well on their ways. It’s been a long process, but the team is beginning to show signs of life on offense. Lapses on defense and turnovers have been the issues throughout the season.

But there have been reasons for the struggles, according to Obanor — who is averaging a team-leading 14.7 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.

“There’s a reason for everything,” Obanor said. ”We were 1-10, we fought back to put ourselves on a four-game winning streak. And we lost these last few games, but it’s all for a reason. God works in mysterious ways.

”I mean, I could say, after those two wins, kind of got a little sloppy, a little content in practice. He had to humble all of us. It’s all for a reason, to build those good fruits that we need.”

Getting refocused

If the message was to hone in, the Red Raiders (16-14, 5-12) got the directive delivered from the coaching staff during practices leading into the regular season finale set for 5 p.m. Saturday at United Supermarkets Arena. Texas Tech needs victories, to put it lightly, as the postseason beckons.

"We know we're good enough to beat anybody," Adams said. "We just have to close that margin, that thin line between winning and losing. That involves getting loose balls, shot selection, guarding. This last game is a big one for everyone. For seeding in the Big 12 and March Madness. It's a do-or-die situation. Our guys know that. We expect them to play well. Our coaching staff is excited about their attitudes and preparation for this game."

The Cowboys (16-14, 7-10) are also looking to earn an NCAA Tournament berth, and could do so without needing to win it all in the conference tournament. On Friday, OSU and Texas Tech are listed as a ”Next Four Out” team by ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi.

It’s a key game for both squads, which have dealt with losing streaks and injuries at different times of the year. The Cowboys have adjusted to the loss of Avery Anderson, who elected to have surgery on his wrist Feb. 8 when both squads played in Stillwater, Okla. — which saw the Red Raiders drop a 71-68 decision due to not blocking out John-Michael Wright.

Kalib Boone is averaging a team-best 11.8 points per game to go with 5.1 rebounds per contest, while Bryce Thompson (11.7 points per game) and Wright (10.2 per game) have diversified the offense with their perimeter scoring and outside shooting skills.

As for Obanor, he’s not fixated on the various scenarios. Instead, he’s trying to get his teammates to have faith and focus on the next game because, if they can win four in four days — they get an automatic bid next week.

”There’s no telling where I’d be without my faith,” Obanor said. “I try to tell the young guys, even after the Kansas game — it was pretty discouraging. It’s easy for everybody to point fingers. But, you know, like I stated when we were 1-10, we’ll get in the (NCAA) Tournament.

“I’m all about the unexpected. When I was at Oral Roberts, Sweet 16. Or, last year, we had our hands full with Notre Dame and God came through. So, I have full faith that anything is possible. All you can do is be positive and expect the best to happen.”

Getting a win Saturday afternoon could be a huge confidence-booster before traveling to Kansas City, Mo.

”It’s March, this is where players become players,” Obanor said. ”This is where a whole ’nother gear comes into play. I don’t fear nobody but God. But, it’s about to be a whole ’nother, a whole different KO. I’ll break that to the team.

“May God bless Oklahoma State because it’s not going to be easy, for sure.”

TEXAS TECH VS. OKLAHOMA STATE

When: 5 p.m. Saturday

Where: United Supermarkets Arena

Records: Texas Tech 16-14, 5-12. Oklahoma State 16-14, 7-10

TV: ESPN2

Radio: FM 97.3

Fast fact(s): Texas Tech’s Kevin Obanor, the only senior on the team to have exhausted his eligibility after this season, will be honored prior to the game. Going into Saturday, the Houston native has amassed 2,118 points, 1,081 rebounds, 37 double-double and made 209 three-point shots in 153 career games.

MEN’S BIG 12 CONFERENCE STANDINGS

Team, Big 12 record, Overall record

*Kansas 13-4, 25-5

Kansas State 11-6, 23-7

Baylor 11-6, 22-8

Texas 11-6, 22-8

TCU 9-8, 20-10

Iowa State 8-9 17-12

Oklahoma State 7-10, 16-14

West Virginia 6-11, 17-13

Texas Tech 5-12, 16-14

Oklahoma 4-13, 14-16

* — Kansas clinched outright conference title

EDITOR’S NOTE: Seeding will be determined after the completion of games Saturday to set up the Big 12 tourney bracket.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Kevin Obanor has no regrets after returning to Texas Tech, enduring difficult season