Over the past month, Texas Tech basketball sophomore forward Darrion Williams has been the Red Raiders' best player and one of the Big 12's top performers. This week, he was recognized at the conference for his recent performance.
On Monday, the Nevada transfer was named the Big 12 Player of the Week (sharing the award with Texas' Tyrese Hunter) and the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week.
Of course, Texas Tech went 2-0 last week, and Williams was an integral part of both wins. In the game against Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Williams had 18 points, nine rebounds and five steals as the Red Raiders defeated the Cowboys 75-58. That night, he was 8-12 on the floor, including his 2-3 on 3-point shooting.
And on Saturday, he had 16 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and one steal despite being in foul trouble for much of the game. In Tech's 78-68 win, he went 6-for-7 from the floor and 1-for-1 on 3-pointers.
No Red Raider has improved more than Williams over the course of the season. He has been a starter all season and has evolved from a great role player to arguably the Red Raiders' best overall player.
In the first 21 games of the season, he scored in double figures eight times. That included four double-doubles.
During that time, he scored in single digits 13 times. Up until February 3, at home against Cincinnati, he was averaging 8.9 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. While these numbers are reasonable, he was far from being a difference maker and at times disappeared in key moments.
However, since the Feb. 6 loss to Baylor, he has scored in double figures in 10 consecutive games. He also recorded five double-doubles. During this period, he averaged 17.2 points and 9.2 rebounds per game, making him one of the best players in the conference.
What made his development so decisive was that it occurred at a time when players like Pop Isaacs, Chance McMillan, and Joe Toussaint were experiencing extended shooting slumps. So Williams' improved scoring became all the more important to keep the team above water, especially when Warren Washington was sidelined for much of the last month with a foot injury.
Of course, Williams' best game of the year was his 30-point outburst against Kansas on February 12th. On the night, he went a perfect 12-12 from the field, 4-4 from the free throw line, and also grabbed 11 rebounds. . But for some reason, despite scoring 12 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in a game against Iowa State, he didn't win the Big 12 Player of the Week award.
Fortunately, Williams was honored with the honor after another strong showing this week. He's been playing some of his best back-set ball as Tech heads into the postseason, and it looks like weekly Big 12 voters are finally taking notice.
