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Texas Tech’s surprise run through the NCAA tournament ended in the Elite Eight on Sunday. Villanova dispatched the Red Raiders, 71-59, to punch another ticket to the Final Four and end the winningest season for Texas Tech in more than 20 years.
Part of what made Texas Tech a feel-good story was the rise of guard Keenan Evans. Evans entered the program as the No. 292 recruit in the country back in 2014, but he got better every year and eventually grew into a legit star this season as a senior. Evans was great at times in this tournament, scoring 23 points to beat Stephen F. Austin in round one and 22 points against Florida to put Texas Tech into the second weekend.
What makes his performance even more incredible is he did it on a broken big toe:
Texas Tech senior Keenan Evans confirms that he played at the end of the season and through the NCAA Tournament with a broken big toe. Looking at surgery soon.
— Chuck Carlton (@ChuckCarltonDMN) March 25, 2018
Evans wasn’t great against Villanova on Sunday, finishing 3-of-14 from the field for 12 points in the loss.
Still, Evans will go down as one of the best players in this tournament. He’s also definitely one of the toughest.