Whenever one star is out, it is always great to have another step up. That's what Texas Tech junior forward Darrion Williams has done with the team's leading scorer and rebounder, JT Toppin sidelined.
In fact Williams has played so well that he has been named the Big 12 Player of the Week. It is the second time in his career that the former transfer from Nevada has earned that distinction.
In two games last week, Williams helped the Red Raiders blow out Oral Roberts and Lamar. Averaging 16.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 7.0 assists in those two contests, he was the Red Raiders' best player in the final two games before the start of Big 12 play.
Against Oral Roberts, Williams did not shoot the ball efficiently going just 3-7 from the floor on his way to ten points. However, he had a huge impact on the game by setting up his teammates. He led all players with nine assists to go along with four rebounds and a pair of steals in Tech's 86-50 win.
Darrion Williams is named the Big 12 Player of the Week 💪@OfficialDW03 | @Big12Conference pic.twitter.com/hFnDDKdhJz
— Texas Tech Basketball (@TexasTechMBB) December 23, 2024
Then, on Saturday against Lamar, in a game that also saw Red Raider big man Federiko Federiko sit out due to a shoulder injury, Williams again stuffed the stat sheet. Putting up a season-high 23 points, he also had seven rebounds, five assists, and two blocked shots as Tech won easily 101-57.
On the season, Williams is averaging an impressive 16.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game. And with Toppin sidelined for most of December, the Red Raiders have turned to Williams to be their guiding force.
Without Toppin's 18.6 points and 11.0 rebounds per game in the lineup, Williams has been the focal point of opposing teams' defensive game plans. However, his numbers have not dipped as he's posted 16.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists in the last four contests.
The hope is that Toppin will return for the start of Big 12 play against UCF in Lubbock on December 31. If that happens and he can play at the level we saw from him prior to his minor leg injury, then he and Williams could combine to form the best frontcourt in the Big 12. That would be a huge boost as the Red Raiders embark on a run of 20 consecutive games against league opponents.
Of course, it is great to have Williams playing some of his best basketball as conference play arrives. Now, he must carry this momentum into the new year when the intensity of the schedule ramps up in a big way.