Tamin Lipsey’s Big 12 Tournament Debut Features Rare Stat Line
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Iowa State guard Tamin Lipsey had one of the most unique stat lines you’ll see in the Cyclones’ 78-72 victory over Baylor in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tournament.
Lipsey, a freshman from Ames, Iowa, finished the game with 13 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and five steals. It was an incredible overall game for the All-Big 12 Freshman selection.
But, Iowa State sports information tweeted out that the line is a rarity in major college basketball conference tournaments.
That’s the same Kemba Walker who became the No. 9 overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, and the same Banchero that became the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s NBA Draft.
“Lipsey was 5-of-10 and normally he’s been struggling making jumpers,” Baylor coach Scott Drew said. “He made a couple big jumpers (today).”
Drew was also impressed with Lipsey’s defense on Thursday, not that he hasn’t seen it before.
“He set the freshman steal record,” Drew said. “He’s a tremendous on ball defender.”
Lipsey just wanted to go out and have a good game in the first Big 12 Tournament game of his career.
“(It was) just the preparation and the energy that our whole team had,” Lipsey said. “Not just one guy wins the game. It’s everyone connected that does that. Just coming out with energy and doing whatever I can to help our team win and get an edge.”
Lipsey entered the game averaging 7.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.1 steals. He started every game for Iowa State as its point guard.
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard
