By Jeff Walker | A-J SPORTS EDITOR

Coming off a Class 5A state championship with Duncanville, and among a recruiting class of three freshmen expected to contribute right away, D’walyn Roberts’ first season at Texas Tech might not have gone according to script.

Texas Tech's D'walyn Roberts, shooting over East Central's Ian Adams during their game Thursday, didn't play much as a freshman last season, but he's playing like a new man this year.

He played in 22 of the Red Raiders’ 31 games, and after showing a glimpse of his potential early in the season against Gonzaga in the Great Alaska Shootout, Roberts spent a lot of time in the remaining games on the bench – particularly in Big 12 Conference play.

Based on last season, one could easily surmise that if Roberts’ playing time was going to change this season, he would have to prove his value to the Red Raiders.

The proof came early.

“He and Mike Prince, to be honest just from last year – we went in here with about seven or eight guys and they really weren’t (considered to be) in the rotation,” Tech head coach Pat Knight said. “I couldn’t watch them all summer, but when practice started – individual workouts in the fall – they started showing us some stuff. After the first week of practice, we started looking at the stats and every team they played on they were winning. They were doing the little things, so I said, Hey, we’ve got two new guys that we didn’t have last year who are going to play for us.’”

Roberts was in the Red Raiders’ starting lineup in the season opener against St. Francis (Pa.) and he hasn’t lost his spot yet, starting in all four games thus far and he should make it five tonight against Southeastern Louisiana.

The 6-foot-7 forward may not lead Tech in scoring, but he’s putting together more performances this season like he had last season against Gonzaga. Facing Tech’s toughest competition to that point, a ranked team in Gonzaga, Roberts finished with 11 points and five rebounds in 23 minutes. He was 4 of 8 from the field and 3 of 3 from the line.

Through four games – albeit against competition not on the same level as the Zags – Roberts’ averages are approaching the numbers he put up in Alaska. He’s averaging 7.8 points and three rebounds while shooting 55 percent (11 of 20) from the field.

“My focus during the offseason was to try and not think too much when I was playing. I think that hurt me last year,” Roberts said. “I also worked a lot on my shooting and dribbling, and I’m still trying to get stronger.”

Roberts may be the biggest benefactor to the Red Raiders’ change in tempo. Tech’s faster pace is more suitable to his style of play. Roberts isn’t going to bang with the Blake Griffin’s of the world. Roberts is a slasher, a leaper, who can jump with the best of the conference, which may be why Knight sends him out to the center circle for the opening tip.

“I like to play this way,” Roberts said. “It’s the way I’ve been playing all my life. I like playing fast.”

Part of Knight’s rotation this season figured to be the five players who are averaging double figures – Alan Voskuil (15.5), Nick Okorie (15.0), John Roberson (15.0), Mike Singletary (13.8) and Trevor Cook (11.3). That leaves about three or four spots open to receive significant playing time and unless he changes, Roberts should continue to be in that mix.

“That just makes us that much better,” Knight said. “That’s what you try and do, guys have got to develop. D’walyn developed from his freshman year to his sophomore year and that’s all a credit to him. He worked hard over the summer – I think Mike (Prince) did too – and so I’m really pleased with those guys. You go with the guys that played well last year, and then, of course, the guys that you recruited, so that’s given us two bonuses so far this year.”

College basketball

• Who: Texas Tech vs. Southeastern Louisiana

• When: 7 p.m. today

• Where: United Spirit Arena

• Records: Tech 4-0; SELU 1-2

• TV: KAMC

• Radio: KKAM 1340 AM D’way to go

A look at D’walyn Roberts’ statistics this season compared to last season:

2007-08 Category 2008-9

4 Starts 4

2.5 Points/game 7.8

1.8 Rebounds/game 3.0

11.5 Minutes/game 18.8

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jeff.walker@lubbockonline.com 766-8735

terry.greenberg@lubbockonline.com 766-8700