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WICHITA, Kan. — There's no way to sugarcoat things for Kevin Overton. His first year with the Texas Tech basketball team has been a bit of a roller coaster.
Coming in after transferring from Drake, Overton has all the tools of a two-way standout player. But on a team with talented players and a variety of lineup options to use, Overton's playing time with the Red Raiders has been sporadic.
The recent injury to Chance McMillian has opened the door for Overton to get some more run, and he's trying to make the most of his opportunities. He played 33 minutes, 37 seconds in the Big 12 Conference semifinal loss to Arizona, when he matched season-highs of 20 points and four made 3-pointers.
In his return to the NCAA Tournament on Thursday, Overton brought the energy needed for the Red Raiders to find a narrow edge at halftime. Much like the rest of the season, though, somebody else had the hot hand. That was Kerwin Walton, who went for a career-high 27 points on eight 3-pointers, making it hard to replace him with Overton in the second half of an 82-72 win over UNCW.
More: Elijah Hawkins shows 'championship level' ability in Texas Tech basketball's March Madness win
Texas Tech's potential success in March Madness has always hinged on the team's depth. That especially applies to Overton, who at times has been the team's primary ball handler early in the season and also played the 4-man role in Tech's smaller lineup setups.
"Ups and downs like any year," Overton said, "especially playing for a different coach, just stuff you've got to learn. It's definitely been a mental year for me. I would say as far as staying engaged with everything all at once and then playing a different role, that just makes it harder.
"It's been a lot, but it's been good for me for sure."
When Darian DeVries — who has since become the head coach at Indiana — left Drake for West Virginia, the Bulldogs brought in Ben McCollum to lead the program. Overton went to the transfer portal to see what his options were, but McCollum wanted Overton to stick around Des Moines.
"He was one of the main people that recruited me," Overton said. "He wanted me to come back."
Just two players from last year's Drake team are back in Nate Ferguson and Andrew Alia. The pair recalled Overton's freshman year of college as the Oklahoma City native finding his footing in the college ranks.
Neither Ferguson or Alia fault guys like Overton for transferring out, and the decisions seem to have benefitted everyone in their own way.
More: Kirby Hocutt believes Grant McCasland will be Texas Tech basketball coach 'a long, long time'
"We went to Spain last year, we made our foreign trip last year, so we got to get closer with him," Alia said. "He's just a good dude all around. Good teammate. I think everyone can attest to that, too."
Ferguson said Overton's sometimes understated demeanor is something he's had since he first got to Drake. It's part of who he is.
"I think he's kind of to the point, sticks to himself, knows what he wants," Ferguson said, "but I think he really cares about his teammates and success as a team."
The changeover in the program, though, doesn't diminish how Overton feels about facing off with his old school for a spot in the Sweet 16.
"I think it's still personal," Overton said, "and it is still the place that I went. Same fans, same people in the stands. I think for me, it's much the same. I know pretty much most of the team, so it's definitely personal for me."
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: It's 'personal' for Texas Tech basketball's Kevin Overton vs. Drake
Continue reading...
Coming in after transferring from Drake, Overton has all the tools of a two-way standout player. But on a team with talented players and a variety of lineup options to use, Overton's playing time with the Red Raiders has been sporadic.
The recent injury to Chance McMillian has opened the door for Overton to get some more run, and he's trying to make the most of his opportunities. He played 33 minutes, 37 seconds in the Big 12 Conference semifinal loss to Arizona, when he matched season-highs of 20 points and four made 3-pointers.
In his return to the NCAA Tournament on Thursday, Overton brought the energy needed for the Red Raiders to find a narrow edge at halftime. Much like the rest of the season, though, somebody else had the hot hand. That was Kerwin Walton, who went for a career-high 27 points on eight 3-pointers, making it hard to replace him with Overton in the second half of an 82-72 win over UNCW.
More: Elijah Hawkins shows 'championship level' ability in Texas Tech basketball's March Madness win
Texas Tech's potential success in March Madness has always hinged on the team's depth. That especially applies to Overton, who at times has been the team's primary ball handler early in the season and also played the 4-man role in Tech's smaller lineup setups.
"Ups and downs like any year," Overton said, "especially playing for a different coach, just stuff you've got to learn. It's definitely been a mental year for me. I would say as far as staying engaged with everything all at once and then playing a different role, that just makes it harder.
"It's been a lot, but it's been good for me for sure."
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March Madness matchup with Drake 'personal' for Texas Tech basketball's Kevin Overton
When Darian DeVries — who has since become the head coach at Indiana — left Drake for West Virginia, the Bulldogs brought in Ben McCollum to lead the program. Overton went to the transfer portal to see what his options were, but McCollum wanted Overton to stick around Des Moines.
"He was one of the main people that recruited me," Overton said. "He wanted me to come back."
Just two players from last year's Drake team are back in Nate Ferguson and Andrew Alia. The pair recalled Overton's freshman year of college as the Oklahoma City native finding his footing in the college ranks.
Neither Ferguson or Alia fault guys like Overton for transferring out, and the decisions seem to have benefitted everyone in their own way.
More: Kirby Hocutt believes Grant McCasland will be Texas Tech basketball coach 'a long, long time'
"We went to Spain last year, we made our foreign trip last year, so we got to get closer with him," Alia said. "He's just a good dude all around. Good teammate. I think everyone can attest to that, too."
Ferguson said Overton's sometimes understated demeanor is something he's had since he first got to Drake. It's part of who he is.
"I think he's kind of to the point, sticks to himself, knows what he wants," Ferguson said, "but I think he really cares about his teammates and success as a team."
The changeover in the program, though, doesn't diminish how Overton feels about facing off with his old school for a spot in the Sweet 16.
"I think it's still personal," Overton said, "and it is still the place that I went. Same fans, same people in the stands. I think for me, it's much the same. I know pretty much most of the team, so it's definitely personal for me."
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: It's 'personal' for Texas Tech basketball's Kevin Overton vs. Drake
Continue reading...
