By Philip Arabome
Tubby Smith has made his mark on the Texas Tech basketball program in just one game.
The Red Raiders defeated Houston Baptist, 76-61, in what could be best described as a competitive affair. The crowd was small, yet supportive; the Huskies were pesky and kept the game interesting throughout; and the Red Raiders followed a first half full of fast break dunks and great interior play with missed opportunities and frequent fouls.
Jordan Tolbert, the redshirt senior and team leader, finished with a double-double on his birthday. Tolbert, who celebrated his 21st birthday Friday, contributed 16 points and 12 rebounds. Freshman guard Robert Turner was the only other Red Raider to notch double figures with 12 points.
Both players were pleased with their efforts, but Turner was busy offering up praise to his big man.
“He’s a man down there,” Turner said, referring to the 6-foot-7 Tolbert. “We’re gonna get [him] the ball. He’s a beast.”
Tolbert said he wasn’t necessarily looking for offense on Friday, opting to make his presence on the glass.
“My first instinct was to rebound,” Tolbert said. “I didn’t think about scoring at all. Every time a shot went up, I just thought ‘Rebound’.”
That instinct Tolbert refers to was certainly seen by Tubby Smith, who had nothing but praise for his forward.
“If we can get that type of effort out of [Tolbert], and keep him out of foul trouble, he can be a special player,” Smith said.
Smith made a major statement regarding his frontcourt of Tolbert and forward Jaye Crockett, who had nine points and seven rebounds in 23 minutes of action.
“Jaye Crockett and Jordan Tolbert are two athletic guys who can play beyond college basketball,” Smith said.
When thinking about his first game at Tech, Smith noted the excitement he gets when he makes his coaching debut somewhere. He is a well-traveled coach, making stops in Tulsa, Georgia, Kentucky, Minnesota and now Texas Tech, but the feeling still remains.
“You get the butterflies every time you coach a game, every time you walk on the court, when you’re in front of the crowd,” Smith said. “It was a great turnout; lot of energy in the building.”
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