Louisiana Tech Basketball Roster: The Team to Watch This Season
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The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs basketball team is one to watch this season! Check out their roster and get to know the players that make up this talented squad.
Introducing the Louisiana Tech Basketball Roster
This season, the Louisiana Tech Basketball team is one to watch. The team is stacked with talented players that are sure to put on a show every time they hit the court. Get to know the team with this introduction to the Louisiana Tech basketball roster
Why Louisiana Tech is a team to watch this season
This season, the Louisiana Tech basketball team is definitely a squad to keep an eye on. Many experts have said that the team has a real chance to go deep in the NCAA tournament and possibly even make a run at the Final Four. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why the Bulldogs are looking so good this season.
One of the biggest reasons for Louisiana Tech’s success this season has been the play of their star guard, Daevion Williamson. Williamson has been simply incredible for the Bulldogs, averaging over 21 points and six assists per game He’s also been shooting an outstanding 52% from three-point range Williamson is not only one of the best players in the conference, but he’s also one of the most exciting players to watch in all of college basketball
Another big reason for Louisiana Tech’s success has been their balanced scoring attack. The Bulldogs have four different players averaging double-figures in points per game This balance makes it very difficult for opposing teams to key in on any one player and makes Louisiana Tech very dangerous on offense.
Lastly, Louisiana Tech has been winning games thanks to their tough defense. The Bulldogs are currently ranked in the top-20 nationally in fewest points allowed per game. If they can continue to play tough defense, there’s no reason why they can’t make a deep run in March Madness
So keep an eye on Louisiana Tech this season, they might just be the team that ends up surprising everyone come tournament time
The starting lineup
Coach Mike White has announced his starting lineup for the 18-19 season The Bulldogs will be led by seniors DaQuan Bracey and Eric Konkol, junior Amorie Archibald, and sophomores JaColby Pemberton and Exavian Christon.
The bench players
In order to have a successful season every team needs a deep bench. The key to a deep bench is having players that not only add valuable minutes, but also players who can come in and change the game. Louisiana Tech has just that. They have a roster full of talented individuals who are capable of coming in and making an impact on both ends of the floor. Here is a look at the bench players who will be key to the success of Louisiana Tech this season.
Player 1: G/F Malik Petteway
Malik is a 6’6” wing player who is known for his athleticism and shooting ability. He is a great scorer and rebounder and has the ability to play both ends of the floor. He will be key for Louisiana Tech this season as they look to make a run at the conference championship
Player 2: G Jalen Harris
Jalen Harris is a 6’5” guard who is known for his scoring and shooting ability. He is a great shooter from long range and has the ability to put up points in a hurry. Harris will be key for Louisiana Tech this season as they look to make a run at the Conference Championship
Player 3: F/C Ikenna Smart
Ikenna Smart is a 6’9” forward/center who is known for his rebounding and defensive abilities. He is a great shot blocker and rebounder and has the ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. Smart will be key for Louisiana Tech this season as they look to make a run at the conference championship.
The coaching staff
The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs are led by Head Coach Eric Konkol, who is entering his sixth season at the helm. Konkol has led the Bulldogs to four consecutive seasons of 20 or more wins, including a 27-7 record last season. Konkol was named the Conference USA Coach of the Year in 2017-18 and has been named one of the top 25 coaches under 40 by CBS Sports
Assistant coach Dusty May is in his second season at Louisiana Tech. May served as the head coach at Florida Gulf Coast from 2014-16, leading the Eagles to an NCAA Tournament appearance in his first season. May also served as an Assistant Coach at TCU, Memphis and UCF.
Assistant coach Steve Merfeld is in his sixth season at Louisiana Tech. Merfeld was previously the Head Coach at Evansville, where he led the Purple Aces to four straight postseason appearances. Merfeld also served as an assistant coach at Iowa State and Bradley.
The schedule
The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Basketball team represents Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana. The school’s team currently competes in Conference USA They play their home games at the Thomas Assembly Center.
The Bulldogs have appeared in five NCAA Tournaments. Their most recent appearance came in 1991. They have also played in five National Invitation Tournaments. Louisiana Tech’s first appearance came in 1957 and their most recent appearance came in 2013. They last played in the postseason in 2016, when they lost in the first round of the NIT to Georgia Tech
This season, the Bulldogs will look to return to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1991 with a talented roster that includes two returning starters and a number of role players who will be key to the team’s success.
Schedule:
11/6 vsMorehead State
11/9 vsArkansas-Pine Bluff
11/13 vsWofford
The conference
Louisiana Tech’s basketball team is in the Conference USA which is made up of 14 teams in the southeastern United States The conference is made up of two divisions, East and West. The East division includes teams from Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. The West division consists of teams from Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.
The rivals
The Louisiana Tech basketball team has some serious rivals this season. Among their biggest rivals are the University of Oklahoma, the University of Texas, and Baylor University These are all teams that have been at the top of the rankings for years, and Louisiana Tech is looking to make a serious run at the title this year. With a strong team and some fantastic young players they have a real chance to make some noise in the tournament this year.
The fans
The fans are the Heart and Soul of any team, and Louisiana Tech Basketball is no exception. The team’s passionate supporters create an electric atmosphere at home games making it one of the most difficult places for opposing teams to play. Louisiana Tech’s fan base is also one of the most loyal in the country, regularly sell-out arenas and follow the team on the road.
The bottom line
This season’s Louisiana Tech basketball team is one to watch. With a strong roster of talented players, the team is poised to compete at a high level this season. Here’s a look at the team’s roster:
Players to watch:
--Chris Johnson A 6’3″ guard from Baton Rouge Johnson is a skilled scorer who can also provide solid defense. He averaged 12 points per game last season and will be a key player for the team this season.
-Jimmie Taylor: A 6’8″ forward from Shreveport, Taylor is a versatile player who can score inside and out. He averaged 14 points and six rebounds per game last season and will be counted on to provide leadership for the team this season.
--Xavier University A 6’10” center from New Orleans, University is a big body in the paint who can provide rebounding and defense. He averaged eight points and six rebounds per game last season and will be counted on to anchor the team’s defense this season.