Texas Tech University Athletics
Aimaq makes Double T Insider guest appearance
February 16, 2023 | Men's Basketball
LUBBOCK, Texas – A day after Texas Tech's win over No. 6 Texas, Fardaws Aimaq was on the set of the Double T Insider discussing the high of back-to-back victories over nationally-ranked opponents and also the difficulties of a season where he has missed 21 of 26 games due to injury. "I had a really good summer where I was in the best shape of my life," Aimaq said on the show. "I was the leanest I've ever was, the strongest I ever was. The quickest, most athletic I've ever been. To get hit with that injury and be on a scooter for the next three months was tough. I'm still trying to get back to the swing of things."
Aimaq provided 12 points and eight rebounds in the win over the Longhorns on Monday night after returning to the lineup in the 71-63 win over No. 12 Kansas State last Saturday. He had missed the previous five games following a three-game return from being out 16 games to start the year. In his first season at Tech following two seasons at Utah Valley and one at Mercer, Aimaq is currently averaging 8.8 points and 5.8 rebounds through five games played. For his career, he's at 1,100 points, 947 rebounds and has 41 double-doubles through 88 games.
"The biggest thing for me right now is getting comfortable out there," Aimaq said. "When you go that long without playing basketball it can take some time to get your feel and touch back. I think the other night was just a glimpse of what I'm capable of. One of my biggest attributes is making my teammates better around me."
Aimaq missed the first 16 games of the season due to a foot injury he suffered in preseason workouts before returning on January 14 against Texas in Austin. He had 12 points and five rebounds in that game and followed it with 12 points and nine rebounds in a home loss to Baylor. He would provide six points and six rebounds at K-State on January 21, but reaggravated the injury and missed the next five games before returning in the home victory over K-State where he led Tech with a +17 in 23 minutes of playing time.
"When you're winning everything feels a little better," Aimaq said. "I'm not 100 percent, but I'm trying to give it 100 percent. That's what I can do right now. I want to stay locked in and do everything I can to help this team win."
Aimaq and the Red Raiders play at West Virginia on Saturday at the WVU Coliseum in Morgantown, West Virginia before taking on Oklahoma next Tuesday in Norman, Oklahoma. The Red Raiders and Mountaineers are set for an 11 a.m. (CST) tipoff with the game being on ESPNU.
"After we beat Kansas State, we had a really good celebration, throwing water on coach and having a lot of fun. It was a huge win. A relief in a way too. Against Texas, there wasn't too much of that in the locker room after the win. We are a team that had high expectations coming into the season. We lost that some along the way, but I think we are heading in a good direction. We expected to beat Texas. That's a good feeling when you're a team that is playing with confidence."
Watch the full episode of Aimaq on the Double T Insider below ? Â
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Aimaq provided 12 points and eight rebounds in the win over the Longhorns on Monday night after returning to the lineup in the 71-63 win over No. 12 Kansas State last Saturday. He had missed the previous five games following a three-game return from being out 16 games to start the year. In his first season at Tech following two seasons at Utah Valley and one at Mercer, Aimaq is currently averaging 8.8 points and 5.8 rebounds through five games played. For his career, he's at 1,100 points, 947 rebounds and has 41 double-doubles through 88 games.
"The biggest thing for me right now is getting comfortable out there," Aimaq said. "When you go that long without playing basketball it can take some time to get your feel and touch back. I think the other night was just a glimpse of what I'm capable of. One of my biggest attributes is making my teammates better around me."
Aimaq missed the first 16 games of the season due to a foot injury he suffered in preseason workouts before returning on January 14 against Texas in Austin. He had 12 points and five rebounds in that game and followed it with 12 points and nine rebounds in a home loss to Baylor. He would provide six points and six rebounds at K-State on January 21, but reaggravated the injury and missed the next five games before returning in the home victory over K-State where he led Tech with a +17 in 23 minutes of playing time.
"When you're winning everything feels a little better," Aimaq said. "I'm not 100 percent, but I'm trying to give it 100 percent. That's what I can do right now. I want to stay locked in and do everything I can to help this team win."
Aimaq and the Red Raiders play at West Virginia on Saturday at the WVU Coliseum in Morgantown, West Virginia before taking on Oklahoma next Tuesday in Norman, Oklahoma. The Red Raiders and Mountaineers are set for an 11 a.m. (CST) tipoff with the game being on ESPNU.
"After we beat Kansas State, we had a really good celebration, throwing water on coach and having a lot of fun. It was a huge win. A relief in a way too. Against Texas, there wasn't too much of that in the locker room after the win. We are a team that had high expectations coming into the season. We lost that some along the way, but I think we are heading in a good direction. We expected to beat Texas. That's a good feeling when you're a team that is playing with confidence."
Watch the full episode of Aimaq on the Double T Insider below ? Â
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Players Mentioned
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