Fansided

Texas Tech’s Keenan Evans is day-to-day with toe injury

By Chris Stone

LUBBOCK, TX - FEBRUARY 13: Keenan Evans #12 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders shoots the ball over Rashard Odomes #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners during the second half of the game on February 13, 2018 at United Supermarket Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Oklahoma 88-78. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX - FEBRUARY 13: Keenan Evans #12 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders shoots the ball over Rashard Odomes #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners during the second half of the game on February 13, 2018 at United Supermarket Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Oklahoma 88-78. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /
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Texas Tech could be in a rough place if Keenan Evans misses any amount of time.

Texas Tech point guard Keenan Evans is listed as day-to-day with a toe injury he suffered during a weekend loss to Baylor, head coach Chris Beard told Jon Rothstein on Monday morning. The specific nature of Evans’ injury hasn’t been disclosed.

Evans limped off late in the first half against the Bears on Saturday before returning to the court at the start of the second period to test the injury. Unfortunately, he couldn’t continue.

The 6-foot-3 senior is playing at an All-American level this season, averaging 18.2 points and 3.3 assists per game. If he misses any amount of time there would likely be significant implications for a Red Raiders squad entrenched in a fight at the top of the Big 12.

Evans is Texas Tech’s only real shot creator and his influence is evident in the on/off numbers. The Red Raiders have scored 1.13 points per possessions with the senior guard on the floor this season, per Hoop Lens, compared to a disastrous 0.98 with him on the bench. That’s the difference between the 29th and 288th-ranked offenses in the country, per KenPom.

Texas Tech doesn’t play again until Wednesday at Oklahoma State, but if Evans misses any games, it could swing the Big 12 title race. After Saturday’s loss, the Red Raiders are tied atop the standings with Kansas as the Jayhawks seek at least a share of their 14th straight regular season conference championship.

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Although Kansas still has to travel to Lubbock to face Texas Tech next Saturday, the Red Raiders are due to visit West Virginia in Morgantown before season’s end. If Beard’s team split those games and won out, they’d be guaranteed at least a share of the regular season title.

Without Evans, though, expectations would change dramatically. It wouldn’t be the first time a major injury influenced the title race during Kansas’ streak. Back in 2008-09, an injury to then Oklahoma sophomore Blake Griffin opened the door for the Jayhawks.