Edwards continues growth since championship game
Seven is the number of freshmen Texas Tech basketball brings in for its journey to try and repeat a historic run to the national title game.
Two is the number that represents two big returners for this team – Davide Moretti and Kyler Edwards, who is being thrust into the role of possibly starting a majority of the year.
On Monday, Chris Beard addressed the media before the team heads to the Bahamas for a foreign tour that includes three games. He discussed Edwards' growth and progress so far after losing key veterans such as Norense Odiase, Jarrett Culver, Matt Mooney and Tariq Owens.
Last season, Edwards played in all 38 games and would finish the year with 42 assists, 23 steals and 31 three-pointers. He averaged 5.5 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game as a freshman.
"Since that last time we played on Monday night to today," Beard said, "I think Kyler's done about as much as he possibly can individually to put himself in a situation to take the next step. I have a lot of confidence in Kyler ... He's completely bought in. He's put in the time."
Beard went on to say his confidence in the hometown Arlington (TX) native comes from his day-to-day process.
Edwards, according to strength and conditioning coach John Reilly, stands out with Moretti as guys the newcomers look to when it comes to workouts and the process Beard and the staff have in place.
The new adjustment for Edwards will be learning to play within his new team without Culver or Mooney, to name a couple who have left, by his side.
"You know the next step is can he motivate others," Beard said. "Great players make people around them better. It wasn't just about Matt Mooney her. It was Matt made Moro and Culver better. This is a step for Kyler.
"But, I've been really impressed with his work ethic and his buy-in. I like Kyler – I love Kyler. I respect him and I'm looking forward to getting into a world where I trust him. And I think that's a process but it's certainly no surprise – we have to have Kyler have a great season. I think he needs to turn himself into a Big 12 level player, an all-conference type guy for us to have the kind of season we all want to have."