NBA Draft Watch/College Basketball Game of the Day: January 28th (TCU at #16 Texas Tech) Preview/Prospects of Note
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| Jarrett Culver, Texas Tech |
A Monday matchup to tip off the week of college basketball features two Texas-based teams from the Big 12 that have the talent to make a run in the tournament.
Texas Tech comes into their home tilt against TCU ranked 16th in the country, having won their most recent game against SEC-opponent Arkansas on Saturday, 67-64, after having lost their three previous games in Big 12 play. Prior to their slight slide Tech stood 15-1 and ranked as high as 8th in all of college basketball, with their then lone loss coming to Duke at Madison Square Garden.
Relying on their dependable defense, which rates as arguably the best overall in the country, the Red Raiders make it tremendously tough for teams to score the ball, allowing them to remain competitive even when they themselves find difficulty in it's own offensive efficiency and have a record 16-4 (4-3 in the Big 12).
Taking the trip to travel through Texas to Lubbock to take on a fellow Big 12 opponent and rival, TCU (Texas Christian) is a talented team who also enters their game against Texas Tech with just four losses on the season and fresh off a win against an SEC-squad. Defeating Florida 55-50, as a part of the Big 12/SEC Challenge, the Horned Frogs made it two wins in a row after having also beat Texas on the road last Wednesday. Prior to that TCU had lost three of it's four games in Big 12 Conference play, with two of them coming on the road against ranked opponents in 23rd Oklahoma and 7th Kansas.
They currently stand at 15-4 on the season, with an even record of 3-3 in the Big 12.
They currently stand at 15-4 on the season, with an even record of 3-3 in the Big 12.
On the floor tonight comprised from both teams will be a few talented prospects who have a potential NBA-future, with none more promising than Texas Tech sophomore Jarrett Culver.
After starting in just over half his games (20 of 37 games played) as a freshman while averaging double-figures (11.2 points per game), Culver has taken a significant step forward in his second season on the college basketball scene. As smooth and efficient a scorer you'll find on the perimeter at the amateur level, the slender 6'6, 195 pound wing is Texas Tech leading scorer at 18.9 points per game while shooting 52.8 percent from the field.
Culver has been able to up his scoring output and overall effectiveness as a scorer during his sophomore season utilizing fine footwork and maximizing his movements to bolster his ability to create his own shot. Exhibiting composure and decisiveness with the ball in his hands, the potential top-10 pick is able to pull up off the dribble and set his feet for a shot at the basket within flow of the offense as he displays dexterity in body control, which also is to his benefit when driving the lane for a finish (76-110, 69% on shots at the rim, with only 17 coming from assists by a teammate). Willing to be patient and take what the defense gives him, Culver has also improved in his tendency to find his teammates, leading the team in assists at 3.9 per game.
Not just a force offensively, Culver isn't nearly mentioned enough for his prowess on defense. Using his wide wingspan (ranging near 7-feet) and discipline as a defender, he is able to be a factor when guarding on the ball, in help and playing the passing lanes, as well as giving an engaging effort on the glass as Texas Tech's leading rebounder (6.9 per game). When accounting for his entire effort on that end of the floor, you have the player who is currently ranked first in defensive win shares in the country at 2.1 (which estimates the number of wins a player contributes to his team due to his defense).
Another highly effective player for the dominant defensive crew that Texas Tech puts on the floor is the lanky 6'10, 205 pound Tariq Owens. A redshirt senior transfer from St. John's, Owens has earned the reputation of a noted rim protector having led the Big East Conference in blocks per game the past two seasons at 2.2 (2016-2017) and 2.8 (2017-2018), respectively.
Receiving a medium amount of minutes (24.1), Owens has continued having a large impact on the defense again this season. Effectively changing the game with his infectious energy and trampoline-type leaping ability to reject shots at the rim, as well as closing out to attempts from the perimeter, the lanky big man currently is averaging 2.5 blocks per game (second in the Big 12, fourth in the country in block percentage) while also remaining a reliable rebounder (5.1 rebounds per game, ranking 10th in rebound percentage in the Big 12).
All told for his defensive effort, Owens is also amongst college basketball most effective defensive players with a defensive rating (81.1 points allowed per 100 possessions) that is rated first in the Big 12 and third in the country. Though he doesn't often look for his shot, Owens is effective on offense converting on 73% (48-66) of his shots at the rim (according to Hoop Math), where his high-ranging hops make him a prime player for his teammates to leave lob passes in the air for.
Receiving a medium amount of minutes (24.1), Owens has continued having a large impact on the defense again this season. Effectively changing the game with his infectious energy and trampoline-type leaping ability to reject shots at the rim, as well as closing out to attempts from the perimeter, the lanky big man currently is averaging 2.5 blocks per game (second in the Big 12, fourth in the country in block percentage) while also remaining a reliable rebounder (5.1 rebounds per game, ranking 10th in rebound percentage in the Big 12).
All told for his defensive effort, Owens is also amongst college basketball most effective defensive players with a defensive rating (81.1 points allowed per 100 possessions) that is rated first in the Big 12 and third in the country. Though he doesn't often look for his shot, Owens is effective on offense converting on 73% (48-66) of his shots at the rim (according to Hoop Math), where his high-ranging hops make him a prime player for his teammates to leave lob passes in the air for.
Facing a fantastic defensive team in Texas Tech, TCU point guard Alex Robinson's influence on the game is likely to be of imminent importance on having an impact on the final score.
A transfer from Texas A&M, the 6'1, 180 pound playmaker has made plenty of plays during his three seasons at TCU in developing into one of the premiere passers in all of college basketball. Currently first in the Big 12 and third in the county in assists per game (7.7), Robinson will step onto the floor tonight 10 assists away from tying the TCU career-record in that category, presently having had a hand in 585 baskets by his teammates while playing for the Horned Frogs.
Robinson can deliver just about any drop-off for a dime to one of his teammates, with his ability to knife the defense with nifty no-look passes or make the mundane routine toss to someone for two or three. A true floor-general, he successfully functions in transitioning between being able to push the break to find those running the floor for easy looks and move the defense in the half-court with his ability to find his way into lane causing defenders to have to help off their man where he often locates the right read.
While his passing ability is the most prominent part of his game, Robinson isn't confined to just complimenting his teammates, as he averages 12.7 points per game and is fourth in steals per game in the Big 12 (1.7). Despite lacking definite attention as potential draft pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, the fine floor general could find his way onto one of the 30 teams as someone who'll likely earn their shot through the NBA Summer League.
One of the teammates Alex Robinson will look to and rely on to realize some of his potential assists is Desmond Bane. A powerfully built wing at 6'5, 215 pounds, Bane plays the part with robust rushes to the basket where he regularly converts on his attempts in the paint (53-74, 72% on shots at the rim). Capable of soaring strong above the rim or taking contact while converting on close range looks, the junior is able to utilize his ability to get to the basket well in pairing it with the other aspects of his game offensively.
Leading TCU in scoring at 15 points per game on 50.2 percent shooting from the field, Bane has a balance in attacking the defense from all three parts of the floor which keeps his opponents honest in attempting to check him. While shooting a respectable 35.1 percent from three-point range this season, he is capable of getting hot at a given moment from beyond the arc — having led the Big 12 in three point percentage last season, when he shot 46.1 percent.
Moreover, Bane has made nearly an equal amount of 2-point jump shots (28) and 3-point attempts this season (27), illustrating his ability to be a true threat regardless of where he receives the ball in TCU's motion-offense. Coming off back-to-back 17 point games against Texas and Florida, the Indiana native is in-line for an increase in his scoring should he be able to get to the free throw line with regularity as he is shooting a healthy 89.4 percent from the stripe.
Joining Bane on the wing for the Horned Frogs is one of the most recent rising prospects in college basketball by the name of Kouat Noi.
Having come to TCU after competing at one of, if not the top prep programs in America — Montverde Academy — the Sudan-born, Australian-national has ascended after redshirting in his first year for the Fort Worth-based university. Now a redshirt sophomore, the 6'7, 205 pound wing/forward has made a profound impact, particularly as of late, as he was recently inserted into the starting lineup three games ago — having coming off the bench to begin the season until he put up 30 points against Oklahoma on January 12th.
Since surfacing in the starting lineup, Noi has continued his strong play, responding with his first career double-double verse Texas last Tuesday to the tune of 15 points and 11 rebounds, before then putting up 23 points in the win against Florida on Saturday.
For his positive performances during the last seven days of play, he was recently named Big 12 Player of the Week.
On the floor Noi has showed obvious traits that translate to the next level, with legit launchability out to and beyond the NBA three-point line coupled with a quick release and the size shoot over the defense when they're quick to closeout (2.5 three's made per game, shooting 40.4%). When the opposing team has been overzealous defending his unlimited range from beyond the arc, the second-leading scorer for TCU (14.7 points per game) has shown he will occasionally, yet effectively step in and sink a mid-range jump shot (11-17, 65% on 2-point jump shots).
Not just a force with the ball in his hands, Noi plays with an evident effective energy that enables him to regularly out-hustle opponents in transition and grab offensive rebounds (1.5 per game) on put-backs of his teammates misses or follow his own shot for a second chance opportunity, which he does quite well.
A transfer from Texas A&M, the 6'1, 180 pound playmaker has made plenty of plays during his three seasons at TCU in developing into one of the premiere passers in all of college basketball. Currently first in the Big 12 and third in the county in assists per game (7.7), Robinson will step onto the floor tonight 10 assists away from tying the TCU career-record in that category, presently having had a hand in 585 baskets by his teammates while playing for the Horned Frogs.
Robinson can deliver just about any drop-off for a dime to one of his teammates, with his ability to knife the defense with nifty no-look passes or make the mundane routine toss to someone for two or three. A true floor-general, he successfully functions in transitioning between being able to push the break to find those running the floor for easy looks and move the defense in the half-court with his ability to find his way into lane causing defenders to have to help off their man where he often locates the right read.
While his passing ability is the most prominent part of his game, Robinson isn't confined to just complimenting his teammates, as he averages 12.7 points per game and is fourth in steals per game in the Big 12 (1.7). Despite lacking definite attention as potential draft pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, the fine floor general could find his way onto one of the 30 teams as someone who'll likely earn their shot through the NBA Summer League.
One of the teammates Alex Robinson will look to and rely on to realize some of his potential assists is Desmond Bane. A powerfully built wing at 6'5, 215 pounds, Bane plays the part with robust rushes to the basket where he regularly converts on his attempts in the paint (53-74, 72% on shots at the rim). Capable of soaring strong above the rim or taking contact while converting on close range looks, the junior is able to utilize his ability to get to the basket well in pairing it with the other aspects of his game offensively.
Leading TCU in scoring at 15 points per game on 50.2 percent shooting from the field, Bane has a balance in attacking the defense from all three parts of the floor which keeps his opponents honest in attempting to check him. While shooting a respectable 35.1 percent from three-point range this season, he is capable of getting hot at a given moment from beyond the arc — having led the Big 12 in three point percentage last season, when he shot 46.1 percent.
Moreover, Bane has made nearly an equal amount of 2-point jump shots (28) and 3-point attempts this season (27), illustrating his ability to be a true threat regardless of where he receives the ball in TCU's motion-offense. Coming off back-to-back 17 point games against Texas and Florida, the Indiana native is in-line for an increase in his scoring should he be able to get to the free throw line with regularity as he is shooting a healthy 89.4 percent from the stripe.
Joining Bane on the wing for the Horned Frogs is one of the most recent rising prospects in college basketball by the name of Kouat Noi.
Having come to TCU after competing at one of, if not the top prep programs in America — Montverde Academy — the Sudan-born, Australian-national has ascended after redshirting in his first year for the Fort Worth-based university. Now a redshirt sophomore, the 6'7, 205 pound wing/forward has made a profound impact, particularly as of late, as he was recently inserted into the starting lineup three games ago — having coming off the bench to begin the season until he put up 30 points against Oklahoma on January 12th.
Since surfacing in the starting lineup, Noi has continued his strong play, responding with his first career double-double verse Texas last Tuesday to the tune of 15 points and 11 rebounds, before then putting up 23 points in the win against Florida on Saturday.
For his positive performances during the last seven days of play, he was recently named Big 12 Player of the Week.
On the floor Noi has showed obvious traits that translate to the next level, with legit launchability out to and beyond the NBA three-point line coupled with a quick release and the size shoot over the defense when they're quick to closeout (2.5 three's made per game, shooting 40.4%). When the opposing team has been overzealous defending his unlimited range from beyond the arc, the second-leading scorer for TCU (14.7 points per game) has shown he will occasionally, yet effectively step in and sink a mid-range jump shot (11-17, 65% on 2-point jump shots).
Not just a force with the ball in his hands, Noi plays with an evident effective energy that enables him to regularly out-hustle opponents in transition and grab offensive rebounds (1.5 per game) on put-backs of his teammates misses or follow his own shot for a second chance opportunity, which he does quite well.
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