Texas Tech University Athletics
Owens, Mooney Named to Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award Watch List
January 23, 2019 | Men's Basketball
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech seniors Tariq Owens and Matt Mooney were named to the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award Watch List where the Red Raiders are the only team with two players selected for the national list of 15.
Owens and Mooney are both graduate transfers for Texas Tech and have helped limit opponents to 35.3 percent shooting which leads the nation. TTU is second in the country by holding teams to 55.9 points per game and 26.4 percent shooting on 3-pointers. The Red Raiders lead the Big 12 with 96 blocked shots and 143 steals going into Saturday's non-conference game against Arkansas at 5 p.m. on Saturday at the United Supermarkets Arena.
Owens is 10th nationally and first in the conference with 47 blocked shots after having one on Tuesday night at Kansas State. An Odenton, Maryland native who transferred from St. John's, he established a new Texas Tech single-game record with eight blocked shots earlier this season against Memphis earlier this season and had four against Oklahoma and Texas in conference play. His 47 blocks are tied with Zach Smith (2015-16) for the seventh most in a single-season by a Tech player in program history. His 2.47 blocks per game are second in the Big 12 and 14th nationally. Mooney transferred from South Dakota leads the Red Raiders with 33 steals this season. He is currently fourth in the conference with 1.74 steals per game for Tech's defense.
The Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List also includes: Tacko Fall (UCF), Zion Williamson (Duke), De'Andre Henry (Virginia), Barry Brown Jr. (Kansas State), Bruno Fernando (Maryland), Zavier Simpson (Michigan), Jordan Murphy (Minnesota), Ethan Happ (Wisconsin), Kylor Kelley (Oregon State), Matisse Thybulle (Washington), Ashton Hagans (Kentucky), Grant Williams (Tennessee) and Brandon Clarke (Gonzaga).
With seven conferences represented on the list, the Big Ten leads defensively with four players chosen, and close behind with three players represented is the Big 12, whose Jevon Carter of West Virginia won the inaugural award. Players not on the Midseason Watch List are still eligible to be selected as award semifinalists, which will be announced in February.
Owens and Mooney are both graduate transfers for Texas Tech and have helped limit opponents to 35.3 percent shooting which leads the nation. TTU is second in the country by holding teams to 55.9 points per game and 26.4 percent shooting on 3-pointers. The Red Raiders lead the Big 12 with 96 blocked shots and 143 steals going into Saturday's non-conference game against Arkansas at 5 p.m. on Saturday at the United Supermarkets Arena.
Owens is 10th nationally and first in the conference with 47 blocked shots after having one on Tuesday night at Kansas State. An Odenton, Maryland native who transferred from St. John's, he established a new Texas Tech single-game record with eight blocked shots earlier this season against Memphis earlier this season and had four against Oklahoma and Texas in conference play. His 47 blocks are tied with Zach Smith (2015-16) for the seventh most in a single-season by a Tech player in program history. His 2.47 blocks per game are second in the Big 12 and 14th nationally. Mooney transferred from South Dakota leads the Red Raiders with 33 steals this season. He is currently fourth in the conference with 1.74 steals per game for Tech's defense.
The Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List also includes: Tacko Fall (UCF), Zion Williamson (Duke), De'Andre Henry (Virginia), Barry Brown Jr. (Kansas State), Bruno Fernando (Maryland), Zavier Simpson (Michigan), Jordan Murphy (Minnesota), Ethan Happ (Wisconsin), Kylor Kelley (Oregon State), Matisse Thybulle (Washington), Ashton Hagans (Kentucky), Grant Williams (Tennessee) and Brandon Clarke (Gonzaga).
With seven conferences represented on the list, the Big Ten leads defensively with four players chosen, and close behind with three players represented is the Big 12, whose Jevon Carter of West Virginia won the inaugural award. Players not on the Midseason Watch List are still eligible to be selected as award semifinalists, which will be announced in February.
And here it is! Our first ever Naismith Men's Defensive Player of the Year presented by @BonaBuzz midseason team! We tracked blocked shots, steals & ball-hawking defense & these 15 players lead the way. Who is the most dominant defensive basketball player? https://t.co/xWrSiBnjj7
— The Naismith Trophy (@NaismithTrophy) January 22, 2019
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