Elimination leaves Texas Tech heartbroken

Texas Tech guard Kevin McCullar (15) puts his head down on a table after 68-66 loss to Arkansas in a second-round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

The news conference following a season-ending loss is one of the hardest parts of the job for a head coach.

It was especially hard for an emotional Chris Beard of Texas Tech on Sunday.

The Red Raiders nearly rallied from 13 points down and had a chance to tie the game near the buzzer, but came up empty to allow Arkansas to hold on for a 68-66 victory in a second-round NCAA Tournament game at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

The win advanced Arkansas (24-6) into the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1996 and kept Texas Tech (18-11) from getting back to that round for the third time since 2018.

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“It was obviously a classic NCAA game," Beard said. "It could have gone either way. I was hoping it was going to be one of those games where the team that had the ball last was going to win it. That’s what it felt like.

“Our guys did a great job of coming back in the game. We’ve done it before. There’s no quit in these guys. So proud of our team and our players. I really enjoyed coaching this year’s group. The kind of fight in that comeback, that’s who we are.”

Arkansas, which will face Oral Roberts in the Sweet 16 on Saturday, led 56-43 after Davonte “Devo” Davis’ basket with 9:30 left.

“Arkansas did a lot of great things tonight,” Beard said. “I thought their defense was outstanding. And then we had to try to come from behind and get a little bit out of our offensive identity. But our guys did a great job giving us a chance. I want to congratulate Arkansas and wish them the best of luck in the Sweet 16.”

Beard chose not to call a timeout down two points after Arkansas’ JD Notae split a pair of free throws with 19 seconds left.

Terrence Shannon led Texas Tech with 20 points and looked to tie it, but the ball ended up in Kyler Edwards' hands. Edwards drove, but Justin Smith’s defense bothered his attempt with two seconds left and Notae grabbed the rebound.

“Things just didn’t go our way,” Beard said. “I think we miss a free throw in the last couple of minutes, we get a really good look around the basket. (Shannon) played great tonight.

“Then the play late, you know I’ve always tried to put the game in players' hands. Those are situations that we practice. We call them 'chaos.' We knew the objective.”

Beard was OK with Edwards’ decision.

“I think Kyler made the right play,” Beard said. “He knew we were only down two and we’re going to try to take the two. We’re going to try to take the two in those situations and get the inside-out three. I thought he got a good clean look at it. He made the right play.”

Beard said his team was doing what he called "playing to the bone."

“It’s a 40-minute game," Beard said. "We really competed down the stretch and gave ourselves a chance. Just proud of our players. It’s a hurt locker room right now.”

Beard wishes he could do more for his team.

“There’s only one team that finishes with a good mood," he said. "I guess if you win the NIT you’re in a good mood, too.

“I love my players. I’m really proud of them. I thought we played it to the bone tonight. And I thought we had a lot of courage to make that kind of comeback.”

Beard struggled to get through the press conference.

“These are tough press conferences, guys,” Beard said. “You guys are trying to talk about basketball and our journey just ended. This team came together during a worldwide epidemic called the covid. Guys on this team chose Texas Tech over Zoom visits."

Beard vows to win it all one season. The Red Raiders came up short two years ago against Virginia in the championship game.

“In my opinion it always stings unless you’re out there on that final Monday night and in that confetti," he said.

“I’ve been there but the confetti wasn’t coming down on us, so that’s the deal. I won’t stop trying and will do everything in my power until we win that whole thing one day.”