Texas Tech University Athletics
Fresno State To Battle Texas Tech On Wednesday
December 09, 2014 | Men's Basketball
Freshman Norense Odiase continues to impress as the native of Fort Worth is averaging 10.5 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.
December 9, 2014
LUBBOCK, Texas - With each game that passes, Texas Tech's five freshmen are moving ever closer to becoming sophomores.
The next step in the evolution of a team takes place Wednesday night, as Texas Tech hosts Fresno State at United Super Markets Arena at 8 p.m.
"The long break has helped us focus on getting some things worked on that we have had trouble with. Things like our turnovers and free throw shooting," said Red Raider head coach Tubby Smith. "I think the extra time and working around finals allowed us to get the ext work in."
With the fourth youngest starting lineup in the nation, each game has been an experiment in growth. The Red Raiders are off to a 5-1 start and are 5-0 at home to start the season. It is the 27th time that Texas Tech has started 5-1 in the 90-year history of the program. If the Red Raiders were able to get to 6-1, it would mark just the 17th time in program history that it has happened.
Smith is no stranger to fast starts as a head coach. In 24 years as a head coach, Smith has started 5-1 on 16 different occasions.
With his win over Auburn in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge, 46-44, Smith earned his 530th career win. A win over Fresno State would move the Maryland Magician into a tie for 65th on the all-time NCAA Division I victories list with his good firend Gene Keady. He is 18th among active head coaches in career victories. A victory would also give Smith a winning record at Texas Tech at 20-19.
With all of the talk about the freshmen, it is important to note that the team's leading scorer comes off the bench in Devaugntah Williams, who is averaging 11.8 points per game. He is both deadly from deep and at the line. Williams is hitting at 63.6 percent from beyond the arc and 84.6 percent from the free throw line.
Williams only scored four points in the Auburn win last week, but he waited until they counted most. First he nailed a pair of free throws to tie the game at 44-44. He followed that up with a spin move in the lane for the game winner with 2.2 second left on the clock.
"I think what Devaugntah brings to our program is a level of maturity," said Smith. "He is an accurate shooter that knows he can make it when the game is on the line."
Another side note from the Auburn game is about Clark Lammert. The senior from San Antonio puts his body on the line at every practice and game and it was worth six points against the Tigers. Lammert took two charges which led to Red Raider baskets and followed that up with a loose-ball scamper that also led to points for the Red Raiders. For the season, Lammert has taken six charges.
Fresno State is led by former Texas assistant Rodney Terry, who is in his fourth season with the Bulldogs. He led the squad to the College Basketball Invitational finals last season after securing his first 20-win season in the San Joaquin Valley.
The Bulldogs are led by a familiar face in Julien Lewis, who may be best remembered in the Hub City as the author of the game-winning shot for Texas in overtime against the Red Raiders in 2012. In two previous games in United Supermarkets Arena, Lewis has averaged 16.5 points against the Red Raiders. After switching his allegiance from Longhorns to Bulldogs, Lewis returns to Lubbock for a third time.
Another name to look out for is Keenan Evans' former teammate at Richardson Berkner High School -- Karachi Edo. The 6-6 forward is averaging 11.0 points and 4.2 rebounds a game.
After Wednesday's action, Texas Tech will host Prairie View A&M on Sunday at 1 p.m. at United Supermarkets Arena.
