Open thread, Sweet Sixteen: Owens compares programs, Big East transfers, game times

Before we get to the games... is Tariq Owens throwing shade at St. John’s?

In the NY Post’s article about Owens finding a home at Texas Tech:

“Everybody has things we need to work on,” Owens said Wednesday, “and our coaching staff, instead of telling us we need to work on them, they put plans in place for us to work on them, and I really enjoy that about this program.”

“I knew this would be an environment that I’d be able to come down and work in,” Owens said. “The main thing that attracted me is the fact I’d be given the opportunity to work as hard as I can. I like being in environments where you have something to prove and you have to work to really achieve something. Coach Beard doesn’t give anything easy. It doesn’t matter who you are.”

Maybe he’s talking in general, and not in comparison to St. John’s.

Owens has maintained his numbers against stronger competition.

• His overall offensive efficiency is up, Texas Tech is utilizing him in lob plays, his jump shot is better (improving from 34% to 53% on longer twos),
• Owens has maintained his 75% of his shots at the rim, with more unassisted scores,
• and Owens has more freedom to crash the offensive glass, grabbing just under 12% of his team’s misses to 6% of St. John’s misses as a junior.

Owens’ three-point shooting has dipped, however, and his defensive rebounding numbers have dropped slightly.

Also of interest/ links

Joey Brunk is transferring from Butler. Once a fairly-touted four star recruit, the big man, who could never carve out consistent time, will be a grad transfer, having graduated in three years.

Xavier’s Keonte Kennedy is transferring. But the Musketeers are bringing in Jason Carter from Ohio University, who should be an immediately-eligible grad transfer. Carter is 6’8” and, while most of his scoring comes from inside the arc, he also shot 34% from beyond the arc.

Creighton fell in the NIT to TCU by 13. DePaul is still going in the CBI, now 18-15 and going into the CBI best-of-three finals.

One of DePaul’s touted recruits, Romeo Weems, was named Mr. Basketball in Michigan. He’s also a top-50 recruit.

Former Johnnie wing Amir Garrett opens another campaign with the Cincinnati Reds in the bullpen as a strikeout guy. Hoping for another solid year, plus some improvement; the rotation may be weak enough for him to get back to starting.

Five questions about Seton Hall’s offseason, including “will Myles Powell come back”, will Taurean Thompson come back (he barely played since early February). the non-conference schedule, point guard development and roster additions. (Why would Myles Powell go pro? He’s not going anywhere near the two rounds of the NBA Draft).

Tonight’s Sweet Sixteen games

Florida State vs. Gonzaga

When: 7:09 pm

Watch: CBS | March Madness Live

Announcers: Kevin Harlan / Reggie Miller / Dan Bonner // Dana Jacobson

Purdue vs. Tennessee

When: 7:29 pm

Watch: TBS | March Madness Live

Announcers: Brian Anderson / Chris Webber // Allie LaForce

Texas Tech vs. Michigan

When: 9:39 pm

Watch: CBS | March Madness Live

Announcers: Kevin Harlan / Reggie Miller / Dan Bonner // Dana Jacobson

Oregon vs. Virginia

When: 9:57 pm

Watch: TBS | March Madness Live

Announcers: Brian Anderson / Chris Webber // Allie LaForce