On the Diamond
NiJaree Canady was named the D1 Softball National Pitcher of the Week:
Canady tossed a no-hitter in the first game against Kansas and then tied her season high for strikeouts with 14 in her second outing.
The reigning National Player of the Year threw 12.0 innings, struck out 26 batters and allowed just three hits and one run.
Texas Tech baseball dropped a mid-week game in Frisco to Oklahoma 8-6. Texas Tech was down 6-1 before attempting a comeback.
On the Hardwood
CBS Sports’ Isaac Trotter on the teams just eliminated:
Trotter — Buy: Grant McCasland has earned the benefit of the doubt. The Texas Tech staff is one of the best in the business at finding the right fit for their schemes. Darrion Williams and JT Toppin transformed from Mountain West Freshmen of the Year into Big 12 superstars in Lubbock. Every addition for Texas Tech has been a hit, lately. The pieces just seem to work. If Toppin is not a pro, getting him back for a second season is the No. 1 priority for this brass.
Texas Tech feels like it should still be playing for a title, but with another strong April, Texas Tech could be well-positioned to be one of the best Big 12 teams next year again.
Maryland hired Texas A&M’s Buzz Williams and the Aggie fans have already centered their search on Ole Miss’ Chris Beard and our very own Grant McCasland. If Williams was willing to leave for Maryland my guess is that the support he’s being given at TAMU is not that great, while I think that the facilities and support that McCasland has at Texas Tech is off the charts. I’d say to never say never, but I think TAMU won’t hire either of these guys and will find someone else.
On the Gridiron
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal’s Don Williams reports that receiver Caleb Douglas hyper-extended his knee in Saturday’s scrimmage, no surgery, just rest.
Also from Williams, the defensive backs standing out during spring practice:
McBath said right behind Boyd are Balfour and Pollock. He said Pollock, who he coached previously at Mississippi State, is the most consistently physical player in the group. Pollock was a full-time starter for the Bulldogs as a sophomore last season, making 10 pass breakups and an interception.
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Greene said his best communicators on the back end, based on their experience, include Wisniewski, Jordan and A.J. McCarty.
The group of young up-and-comers at safety includes 2024 signees Peyton Morgan, Malik Esquerra and Oliver Miles, all of whom played a little last year while maintaining their redshirt status.
ESPN’s Bill Connelly ($) ranks the best quarterbacks of the 2000’s and Patrick Mahomes was #64 and Graham Harrell was #39. Baker Mayfield was #1, Cam Newton #2 and Vince Young #3.
ESPN’s Steve Muench ranks the depth at each position with the best players and then a sleeper. RB Tahj Brooks makes the list at running back, but TE Jalin Conyers makes the list at tight end:
Late-round sleeper: Jalin Conyers, Texas Tech. Conyers is another Texas Tech player flying under the radar. The Arizona State transfer had five touchdown catches and two rushing scores last season (and threw for one more). At 6-3, 260 pounds, he had the quickest short shuttle (4.27 seconds) for a tight end at the combine and tested well overall. He runs and tracks the ball well and makes contested catches downfield. He was used in college as a wildcat quarterback, which speaks to his ability to make plays with the ball in his hands.
Again, I enjoy these. Robert Giovanettii and head coach Joey McGuire.