Texas Tech University Athletics
Men's Basketball Meets Arkansas-Pine Bluff in Saturday Matinee
December 18, 2015 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 18, 2015
LUBBOCK, Texas -- The Texas Tech men's basketball team moves into the heart of a three-game stretch over a seven-day span Saturday versus Arkansas-Pine Bluff at the United Supermarkets Arena.
Tip time is set for 3 p.m. CT, and the game will be televised by FOX Sports Southwest Plus along with the FOX Sports Go app. Robert Giovannetti, John Harris and Justin Nusser will serve as the announcing team.
The Texas Tech Sports Network will carry the game live on its new flagship stations 97.3 FM, 100.7 FM and 950 AM in Lubbock with Brian Hanni and Chris Level on the call. The radio broadcast also will be available on the Texas Tech Sports Network radio affiliates, online at www.TexasTech.com and the TuneIn Radio app.
The Red Raiders (7-1) have amassed a six-game winning streak highlighted by three straight victories in double figures, most recently a hard-fought 79-67 decision versus South Dakota State. During its last three games, Tech has limited its opponents to a 32.2 field goal percentage.
The two teams will meet on the same date for the second consecutive season, the Red Raiders claimed a 72-51 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff (2-9) behind a team-leading 13 points courtesy of Justin Gray. The Golden Lions has played all 11 of their games away from home to start the season.
"I like the way that we're playing coming off a good performance against a talented South Dakota State team," Texas Tech head coach Tubby Smith said. "I like our guys' frame of mind, and I'm hoping that we carry over into tomorrow's game. We know we have to be ready to play because they're a very capable team of having a good game if we don't do our job."
Fans can purchase tickets to Saturday's game for as low as $5 online at www.TexasTech.com until midnight on Friday as part of the Wreck The Halls promotion. Tickets also can purchased in person at the United Supermarkets Arena Ticket Office starting 90 minutes prior to tipoff.
Texas Tech Athletics invite fans to arrive early, and the first 200 children will have the opportunity to decorate their own holiday ornament on the USA concourse.
About Texas Tech
The Red Raiders have had at least four players collect double figures in five of six games during the team's current winning streak. All five starters are averaging over 8.5 points per game and are logging over 20 minutes per contest.
Toddrick Gotcher has been the hot-hand and poured in 16.0 points per game over his last three outings. He has drained 12 of his 17 field goals from three-point territory during the three-game run. Gotcher exploded for a career-high 20 points versus UT Martin and followed up with 17 points against South Dakota State.
Devaugntah Williams has compiled double figures in seven of eight games to begin the season. He has registered 15.4 points per game which ranks sixth on the Big 12 leaderboard. Williams also has tallied 4.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He paces the Big 12 and ranks 14th nationally with a 92.6 clip at the free throw line.
Norense Odiase and Zach Smith have started 38 of their 39 career appearances. The sophomore post players have combined to reach double figures seven times this season with Odiase accomplishing the feat in three of his last four outings. Smith filled the box score with 13 points, six rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two steals versus South Dakota State. He has knocked down 11-of-13 at the foul line over his last four appearances.
Keenan Evans handles the point guard duties for Tech. He has garnered 8.6 points and 2.9 assists per game. He has dished out 10 assists against two turnovers over his last two games. Evans' mother, Shantell, played basketball at Arkansas-Pine Bluff and was an All-SWAC performer during her career.
Justin Gray, Aaron Ross and Devon Thomas continue to be Tech's top three performers off the bench. The trio contributed seven points apiece and dialed up 21 of the team's 23 bench points during the South Dakota State game. Gray has boosted his scoring mark to 9.3 points per game in his last four appearances. Ross has secured at least five points in six of eight games, and Thomas has picked up his play with at least five points during three of Tech's last five games.
"I think this team is where we expected to be," Smith said. "It takes time to get the right people in your program. The group that we signed last year with Norense, Zach, Keenan and Justin, I knew they would be the backbone of the program. We wanted to build the program for longevity. We've had a couple of junior college players that have helped us transition. Devaugntah is leading us in scoring this season, and Devon is giving us what we need. We're on track, and we're hitting certain points during the process of why we're getting better. This group is still young, but they're very coachable."
About Arkansas-Pine Bluff
The Golden Lions have lost four in-a-row to open the month of December. Last time out, UAPB was handed a 69-57 defeat at Santa Clara. Arkansas-Pine Bluff's two victories have come by two points apiece versus Seattle and Southeastern Louisiana.
JoVaughn Love has secured a team-leading 11.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. He has piled up double figures in five of last six appearances which includes a 20-point performance during the Santa Clara game.
Ghiavonni Robinson has chipped in 9.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Robinson racked up a season's best 24 points at Michigan State coupled with a 15-point and 8-rebound effort at Iowa State, both program ranked inside the Top 5.
"We played Arkansas-Pine Bluff last season," Smith said. "I was impressed with Coach Ivory. He does a good job with their team. They're a team that plays a very tough schedule. They've played teams like Iowa State, Hawaii, Virginia Tech, Nebraska, Cincinnati and Michigan State. They're better than their record indicates. When you play that type of competition, they're going to continue to get better. We've got to find a way to contain Love and Robinson."
Up Next
The Red Raiders play their final game before their week-long holiday break Tuesday versus Little Rock at United Supermarkets Arena. Tipoff is on-tap for 2 p.m. CT, and the game will be televised by FOX Sports Southwest in addition to the FOX Sports Go App.
Visit www.TexasTech.com for the latest news and information on the men's basketball program. Fans also can follow the program on its social media outlets at www.Facebook.com/TexasTechMBB and @TexasTechMBB on Twitter.
