Second round of Las Vegas Invitational Starts Today
11/19/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 19, 2001
Today's Game: The TCU Horned Frogs face Arkansas-Monticello today in the second round of the Las Vegas Invitational. Tipoff is set for 4:30 p.m. central time, (2:30 p.m. pacific time). TCU opened the tournament Friday, November 16 with a 93-79 win over Northwestern State. Today's contest is being played at Valley High School in Las Vegas. On Tuesday, November 20, TCU will play former WAC rival UTEP. The final opponent will be determined based on how the Frogs fare in their bracket.
Radio/TV: The Arkansas-Monticello game can be heard on ESPN 103.3 FM or KTCU (88.7 FM) with Brian Estridge (play-by-play) and former TCU basketball letterman Herb Stephens (analysis) describing the action. This game will not be televised.
Billy Tubbs: One of the nation's winningest coaches, Billy Tubbs is in his 8th season at TCU and his 28th overall as a head coach. His career record stands at 580-282, which places him 12th among the NCAA's winningest active coaches. Tubbs needs only 20 wins to reach the 600 victory plateau. Only 35 coaches have won at least 600 games in their respective careers. While at TCU, Tubbs has recorded a win-loss mark of 141-80. He is assisted by Brian Fish, Rob Flaska and Scott Edgar.
Experimental Rules: Three experimental rules will be used throughout the Las Vegas Invitational. The experimental rules are:
*The free throw and three-second lane will be widened to the NBA free-throw and three-second lane.
*No free throws shall be awarded to the offended team for a foul committed by a member of a team in control of the ball. Instead, the offended team will be awarded possession of the ball. As under the current NCAA rule, the foul will count toward disqualification and the team-foul total.
*Jump balls will be held at the center circle for all situations in which the alternating possession arrow was used. Any two players may jump, except for a held ball and when the ball is simultaneously caused to go out of bounds.
The Frogs in Las Vegas: This is TCU's first trip to Las Vegas since the 1998-99 season, when the WAC Post Season Tournament was held at the Thomas and Mack Center. In the three years that both TCU and UNLV were members of the WAC, the Frogs played a total of nine games in Las Vegas, compiling a record of 5-4.
The TCU vs. Arkansas-Monticello Series: This will be the first meeting between TCU and Arkansas-Monticello. The Boll Weevils are a member of the Gulf South Conference. Last season, they posted a 20-8 record overall, and 12-4 in conference play to tie for the league regular-season crown.
Impressive Debut for Blount: In his first Division I game, guard Junior Blount had an impressive debut for the Frogs. Blount's 34 points scored against Northwestern State were not only the most points ever scored by a TCU individual in a season opener, but it was also the most ever scored by a Frog in his first collegiate game. Blount hit 12-of-27 shots, including 7-of-15 three-pointers. The seven made three-pointers tied him for fifth in single-game three-pointers made, while the 15 attempts tied him for third. The school-record for three-pointers made is nine, which was set by Michael Strickland vs. Arkansas in the 1990 season. Malcolm Johnson owns the record for three-pointers attempted with 16 vs. Fresno State in 1998. In the two exhibition games, Blount scored 26 vs. Czech-Select, and 18 vs. Athletes First, hitting a total of 13 three-pointers in the two games.
Welcome to TCU: Led by Junior Blount's 34 points, TCU newcomers accounted for 66 of the team's 93 points against Northwestern State. Freshman guard Corey Santee added 16, while junior college transfer Jamal Brown scored seven points. Corey Valsin and James Davis, a pair of redshirt freshmen, combined for nine points, respectively.
Diaper Dandies: When the Frogs took the court last Friday, head coach Billy Tubbs started two freshmen, Corey Santee and Corey Valsin. Santee, a true frosh from Flint, Michigan opened the season as the starting point guard, while Valsin, a redshirt freshman started at the "3" spot in the opening night lineup. In addition, redshirt freshman guard James Davis played a total of 14 minutes off the bench. A fourth freshman, forward Marcus Sloan could see action during the Las Vegas Invitational. The three freshmen did not disappoint as they contributed a combined 25 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists, while committing only one turnover.
Marlon Emerges: Senior post Marlon Dumont had an impressive showing against Northwestern State, recording a double-double with 21 points and 13 rebounds. Both totals are career-highs for Dumont. Ten of the 13 rebounds were offensive boards. Last season, Dumont recorded two double-doubles, including a 17-point, 11 rebound performance vs. Grambling. In exhibition play, Dumont led the Frogs in scoring with a total of 49 points. Against Czech-Select, Dumont scored 31 points, including 20 in the first half. He scored 18 points against Athletes First, all coming in the second half.
