During his recovery from a broken foot, Zach Smith wondered if a return this season really was possible.
He still did everything the Texas Tech trainers and medical staff asked while pushing himself through the doubts to have a chance to contribute one last time.
"There was a point I didn't," Smith said, "but I'm happy to be here now."
The senior from Plano East has emerged as a valuable piece off the bench with Texas Tech (26-9) returning to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2005 and headed to the NCAA East Region in Boston for a Friday meeting with Purdue (30-6).