Texas Tech University Athletics
SPOTLIGHT: Mooney, Owens Thriving as Grad Transfers
March 23, 2019 | Men's Basketball
TULSA, Oklahoma – Matt Mooney and Tariq Owens. Two names that excited Red Raider fans in an offseason full of roster turnover.
Evans, Gray, Smith. A few members of last year's squad that had remained through a coaching change because they believed in their new head coach's vision for the future of Red Raider basketball and helped lead the program to it's first-ever Elite Eight.
The offseason plan would be a challenge for Chris Beard and his staff. Replace six of 2018's seven leading scorers and build a team around a rising hometown hero in Jarrett Culver.
Enter Mooney and Owens.
Two graduate transfers tasked with replacing some of the Red Raiders' most accomplished and decorated players. It didn't take long to realize what they both brought to the table.
"Texas Tech was one of the first schools to call when I decided to transfer," Mooney said. "Coach Beard really blew me away when he came to my house in South Dakota. When I went on my first visit to Lubbock, I just knew it was the place for me."
"I came on my visit right after the Elite Eight run last year," Owens said. "The thing that caught my eye was the culture of hard work and dedication. The team was in the gym right after their season ended, and I wanted to be a part of that program."
In Owens' first game against Incarnate Word, he scored five points and blocked six shots. In that same matchup, Mooney fired off 12 points to complement six assists and three steals. The duo combined to turn the Cardinals over nine times.
The defensive intensity they brought in that game continued the rest of the year.
Mooney ended his season by averaging 11 points and two steals a game. He finished second in the Big 12 conference with 60 steals on the year on his way to All-Big 12 Second Team, Defensive Team and Newcomer Team accolades, all in his first year of Power Five competition.
"Coach [Mark] Adams has changed my game immensely," Mooney said. "The whole staff really challenged me to embrace their defensive style. I bought in, and it's definitely helped me."
Owens himself averaged nine points, six rebounds and two-and-a-half blocks per game. His 83 blocks during the regular season snapped the all-time Tech record, and he is currently riding a 33-game streak with at least one block per contest. He joined Mooney on the All-Big 12 Defensive Team, while also garnering an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.
"My defensive ability has definitely been elevated this year," Owens said. "The coaches are constantly on me and trying to improve my abilities, beyond just shot blocking."
Their efforts helped lead the Red Raiders to the top ranked defensive efficiency in the nation and a three seed in the 2019 NCAA Tournament. Neither Mooney nor Owens had ever played a game in the tournament before this year.
The moment, while special, was never too big for the seasoned tandem.
In Tech's first round matchup with Northern Kentucky, Owens continued to be a force to be reckoned with, as he set a new NCAA Tournament program record with five blocks. He also scored 12 points in Friday's contest.
"It was a great experience," Owens said. "I've been preparing for this my whole life. During the game, it was all about just sticking to what I do and trusting all the hard work and preparations I've made up to this point."
Mooney, not to be outdone by Owens, tallied nine points, a career-high eight assists and also had five steals. Yet another NCAA Tournament record for Tech, as he tied Will Chavis' 2002 performance with five steals.
"This is what I came here for," Mooney said. "It's March Madness. I've dreamed of this opportunity my whole life. I took a moment just to soak it all in before tipoff. When the ball tipped, it was all business."
Colorado Springs, Colorado. Knoxville, Tennessee. Mooney and Owens' journeys began in two different places. They both took very different paths to Lubbock. Whatever happens in the remainder of the month of March, whatever madness ensues, the two will end their collegiate careers with Tech, with defense and potentially, a trophy.
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Evans, Gray, Smith. A few members of last year's squad that had remained through a coaching change because they believed in their new head coach's vision for the future of Red Raider basketball and helped lead the program to it's first-ever Elite Eight.
The offseason plan would be a challenge for Chris Beard and his staff. Replace six of 2018's seven leading scorers and build a team around a rising hometown hero in Jarrett Culver.
Enter Mooney and Owens.
Two graduate transfers tasked with replacing some of the Red Raiders' most accomplished and decorated players. It didn't take long to realize what they both brought to the table.
"Texas Tech was one of the first schools to call when I decided to transfer," Mooney said. "Coach Beard really blew me away when he came to my house in South Dakota. When I went on my first visit to Lubbock, I just knew it was the place for me."
"I came on my visit right after the Elite Eight run last year," Owens said. "The thing that caught my eye was the culture of hard work and dedication. The team was in the gym right after their season ended, and I wanted to be a part of that program."
In Owens' first game against Incarnate Word, he scored five points and blocked six shots. In that same matchup, Mooney fired off 12 points to complement six assists and three steals. The duo combined to turn the Cardinals over nine times.
The defensive intensity they brought in that game continued the rest of the year.
Mooney ended his season by averaging 11 points and two steals a game. He finished second in the Big 12 conference with 60 steals on the year on his way to All-Big 12 Second Team, Defensive Team and Newcomer Team accolades, all in his first year of Power Five competition.
"Coach [Mark] Adams has changed my game immensely," Mooney said. "The whole staff really challenged me to embrace their defensive style. I bought in, and it's definitely helped me."
Owens himself averaged nine points, six rebounds and two-and-a-half blocks per game. His 83 blocks during the regular season snapped the all-time Tech record, and he is currently riding a 33-game streak with at least one block per contest. He joined Mooney on the All-Big 12 Defensive Team, while also garnering an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.
"My defensive ability has definitely been elevated this year," Owens said. "The coaches are constantly on me and trying to improve my abilities, beyond just shot blocking."
Their efforts helped lead the Red Raiders to the top ranked defensive efficiency in the nation and a three seed in the 2019 NCAA Tournament. Neither Mooney nor Owens had ever played a game in the tournament before this year.
The moment, while special, was never too big for the seasoned tandem.
In Tech's first round matchup with Northern Kentucky, Owens continued to be a force to be reckoned with, as he set a new NCAA Tournament program record with five blocks. He also scored 12 points in Friday's contest.
"It was a great experience," Owens said. "I've been preparing for this my whole life. During the game, it was all about just sticking to what I do and trusting all the hard work and preparations I've made up to this point."
Mooney, not to be outdone by Owens, tallied nine points, a career-high eight assists and also had five steals. Yet another NCAA Tournament record for Tech, as he tied Will Chavis' 2002 performance with five steals.
"This is what I came here for," Mooney said. "It's March Madness. I've dreamed of this opportunity my whole life. I took a moment just to soak it all in before tipoff. When the ball tipped, it was all business."
Colorado Springs, Colorado. Knoxville, Tennessee. Mooney and Owens' journeys began in two different places. They both took very different paths to Lubbock. Whatever happens in the remainder of the month of March, whatever madness ensues, the two will end their collegiate careers with Tech, with defense and potentially, a trophy.
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