Season In Review: Big 12 Play An Adjustment For Davide Morretti

With the Texas Tech basketball season now in the books we take a look at the freshman season of Davide Morretti who found life in the Big 12 to be quite an adjustment.

Any college freshman is likely to find that adjusting to college life will come with challenges. That must be infinitely more difficult for international students adjusting to life in a new country. Now, imagine how difficult it would be for a college freshman to make those adjustments while playing a key role for a top-10 college basketball team. Such was the task facing Davide Morretti this season.

Considering that the native of Italy did not arrive in Lubbock until late in the summer of 2017, it is impressive to consider how well he performed for Chris Beard. While juggling college classwork and playing major college hoops a half a world away from his family, Morretti averaged 3.5 points, 1.1 assists and 0.8 rebounds per game.

Morretti proved to be a capable shooter from the outside, giving Texas Tech a much-needed three-point threat off the bench. However, he was inconsistent and streaky with his shot resulting in a sub-par 31% conversion rate on shots from deep.

Inconsistency was the hallmark of the young point guard’s season. In the non-conference portion of the schedule, Morretti was one of the top reserves on the team, especially offensively.

After 10 points in the season opener, Morretti went on to average 5.6 points per game in non-conference play. During that stretch, he had his only two double-digit scoring games of the season including a season-high 14 against Florida Atlantic.

But once Big 12 play started, life became more difficult for the Italian. In 18 regular season conference games, Morretti scored just 2.05 points per game. His season hit a low point in February when he went scoreless in five out of six games during which his confidence clearly wavered.

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At times, it was obvious that the physical style of play in the Big 12 took its toll. Though Morretti played in an Italian professional league against grown men prior to coming to Lubbock, the style of play in Europe is more free-flowing and less physical than what is common in the United States meaning he was likely to find life in the Big 12 difficult.

Fortunately, when the pressure was at its most intense, the true freshman found his scoring touch again. In four NCAA Tournament games, his scoring average jumped back up to 4.75 points per game. Morretti was solid against eventual national champion Villanova in the Elite 8 scoring seven points off the bench.

The late-season offensive production has helped Texas Tech fans feel confident that Morretti can be a greater factor on the offensive end of the court next season. That is something Chris Beard will be looking to overcome after the loss of six of his team’s top eight scorers.

Aside from just scoring, Morretti was solid with the basketball last season averaging 0.8 turnovers per game (though that number was likely aided by playing only 12 minutes per contest). That means Morretti had about one-and-a-half assists per turnovers, a decent number for a true freshman.

However, if Davide Morretti is going to earn significant playing time next season, he will have to beat out some tough competition. Texas Tech will have Missouri transfer and former 4-star prospect C.J. Roberts and three-star high school newcomer Kyler Edwards in the running to replace all-Big 12 point guard Keenan Evans.

Next: Beard Putting Together Best Class In Program History

One key for Morretti this summer will be to add strength to his frame and his style of play. If he is capable of doing so, he could have a major impact for the Red Raiders next season.

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