Texas Tech University Athletics
Adams addresses media prior to official practice
September 22, 2022 | Men's Basketball
Mark Adams stepped up onto the press conference stage on Thursday afternoon for the first time this season set to talk about his second year leading the Texas Tech men's basketball program. Following a Sweet 16 run in Year 1 that also saw an 18-0 home record, Adams took questions from a room full of reporters about his expectations for the 2022-23 season which officially begins with the first day of practice on Monday.
"We're excited about this team," Adams said. "We have high expectations. Our fanbase expects success. West Texas fans want guys who are going to play hard and together. They want grit and represent West Texas the right way. It's a tall order and we've got our work cut out for us. Our guys have embraced it though. I think we'll be able to compete with anyone in the country."
The Red Raiders are coming off a 27-10 overall record, led the country in defensive efficiency and rolled to NCAA tournament wins over Montana State and Notre Dame before falling to Duke in the Sweet 16. Tech returns only three players from that team though and with Kevin Obanor the returning starter. Obanor led Tech last season with 48 3-pointers and is coming off an NCAA Tournament where he recorded double-doubles in all three games. He is joined by Daniel Batcho and KJ Allen who are returning from reserve roles, six guys from the transfer portal in Jaylon Tyson, Kerwin Walton, De'Vion Harmon, D'Maurian Williams, Malik Ondigo and Fardaws Aimaq and freshmen Ethan Duncan, Lamar Washington, Robert Jennings, Richard Isaacs, CJ Williams and Elijah Fisher. Â
"We don't have the length that we did last year, but I think we are maybe more skilled. I think we'll be a much better 3-point shooting team and have players with experience at the combo-guard position. We're hoping we'll be more efficient on offense than we were last year. I love these guys. They have really bought into our program. I love the culture of the team. We recruited guys that fit our system of playing hard and playing together. Something we looked back on is that we didn't shoot the 3-ball very well. Bringing in D'Maurian and Kerwin who can really shoot it. Our intention was to get a roster who can shoot the 3. I think we've done that. We have a team that can do that."
A point of emphasis at the press conference was the size that Tech could play with this season with Batcho and Fardaws on the court at the same time.Â
"It makes our team unique with two 7-footers," Adams said. "On both sides of the floor. It can certainly help on the defensive end, but with a guy like Fardaws who can hit the 3 it can stretch the defense by making the center come out and guard. That opens the lane to drive. We're changing some things, but it's fun having a team like we have where we have options. Playing big guys at the same time is exciting. Fardaws is a guy who may have more skill than any big guy who has been here overall. He can shoot outside and inside. You can always feel his presence when he's on the court."
Batcho played as a reserve in 33 games last season, averaging 2.2 points and 2.7 rebounds per game but has excited the coaching staff throughout the summer.
"Daniel is really a different player than he was last year," Adams said. "There are a lot of times at practice when he is separating himself from the other players. He's a 7-foot guy who is very athletic. He's worked on his shooting. Completely different player. He has a chance to play in the NBA in the next couple of years. He's improved that much."
Adams went through the roster at the press conference giving his take of where the team is at going into the first week of official practice. With under 50 days until welcoming Northwestern State to Lubbock for the season opener, Adams closed the initial address to the local media by giving a personal review of how he is approaching his second season.
"I'm reminded every day of how lucky I am through the encouragement when people come up and say nice things about the program," Adams said. "I appreciate being here and the great team we had last year. I hope that we're going to put a team out on the floor again this year that will be just as competitive. We are going to fight every game and really play defense. Hopefully we'll make our fanbase proud of the way we play."
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