Texas Tech basketball: Scouting the Northwestern State Demons

Forward Dalin Williams will be coming home

One of the Demons will be making a homecoming of sorts tonight and he’s got a track record of playing well in Lubbock.  Junior forward Dalin Williams from tiny Stinnett, Texas is one of six members of his team that was on the roster in 2018 when Northwestern State last played in Lubbock.

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Playing just 185 miles south of his hometown that night, he put up a career-high 9 points while pulling down 6 rebounds in a losing effort.  Now, he wants to best that performance in his return to the South Plains.

"“Texas Tech is probably the closest D-I team to my hometown,” he told the Bossier Press-Tribune. “Everybody back home loves Texas Tech. It’s so exciting to get to play against a team your friends and family grew up loving and watching. Having that opportunity to play against high-caliber players is special and exciting."

The 6-foot-8, 215-pounder has averaged 1.4 points and 1.5 rebounds per game in his career proving just how much of an anomaly his showing in Lubbock two years ago was.  But there’s no question that Beard will be reminding his team of Williams’ strong showing last time he came through the Hub City.

"“I love playing in non-conference games,” said Williams. “You get a chance to go head-to-head with some of the best teams in the nation. You get to see how you respond against teams like that. You make plays of your own, get defensive stops, and it gives you confidence going into conference play.”"

So keep an eye on no. 35 tonight when he’s on the court.  Though he isn’t anything other than a role player, he’s already proven that he can take his game to a new level when playing near his hometown.