Last Year: 22-10; 12-4, Second in Conference USA, no postseason appearance
Head Coach: Talvin Hester (Third Year; 37-28 at Louisiana Tech, with no NCAA Tournament appearances)
Projected Starting Lineup
PG Sean Newman, Jr – 6’1″, 160 Junior
G Amaree Abram – 6’4″, 195 Junior
W Devin Ree – 6’8″, 180 Junior
F William Jeffress – 6’7″, 210 Senior
C Daniel Batcho – 6’11”, 235 Senior
Experienced Reserves
G Al Green – 6’3″, 180 Junior
G Jordan Crawford – 6’3″, 175 Junior
W Kaden Cooper – 6’5″, 190 Sophomore
F Will Allen – 6’7″, 225 Junior
F Sean Elkinton – 6’8″, 230 Junior
Freshmen
G AJ Bates – 6’3″, 190
W Landren Blocker – 6’6″, 200
In his two seasons at the helm back in Ruston, LA, head coach Talvin Hester has significantly raised the talent level of his Dunkin’ Dogs. He has also quickly returned his Bulldogs to the 20-plus-win plateau that previous coach Eric Konkol had established as LA Tech’s baseline of expectations. Back then, Hester was with Konkol as an assistant for three years. In the present, Hester and his staff have solidly rebuilt the Tech roster. The next hurdle for Hester’s program to clear is the one called ‘winning close games’.
Of the 28 games the Bulldogs have lost the past two seasons, 17 of them have come by a margin of six points or fewer, and some of the losses have been particularly grating. During last year’s most excruciating stretch, the Bulldogs lost three straight non-conference road games against Saint Louis, Seattle (in overtime), and Grand Canyon by a combined 10 points. The worst part was that it took two different three-point heaves in the final seconds from the Billikens, a couple of flat-out bad calls at Seattle to force OT, and then lastly a back-breaking triple from WAC Player of the Year Tyon Grant-Foster to punch the Bulldogs out in each game, respectively.
Being good enough to stay in each game on the schedule is quite an achievement, but the close losses sapped Tech’s confidence last year. This time around, Hester’s crew is looking to remove all doubt. The goal of challenging for a Conference USA title is clearly before them, and these Dunkin’ Dogs look like they’re ready to eat.
The biggest reason they’re expecting success in Ruston is the return of Louisiana’s favorite Batcho man. That would be French center Daniel Batcho, one of the most productive post players returning to any program in the country. Hester first got to know the developing big man at Texas Tech, where both player and then-assistant coach were on the sidelines for the Red Raiders’ run to the Sweet Sixteen in 2021-22. Last spring, Batcho followed Hester east, and that decision led to a true breakout season for the pivot from Paris.
In his debut with the Bulldogs, Batcho ranked tenth in the country in blocks per game, posted 11 double-doubles, and led his new conference in offensive rebounds, total boards, and field goal percentage for the season. Batcho racked up 50 putback tries and converted 68.0% of them at the rim, per Hoop-Math, helping to keep the Bulldogs out of scoring doldrums and often seizing momentum for his side. He’s a devastatingly mobile shot swatter, and Batcho has developed excellent timing and anticipation when opponents try to back him into a good look. He will have to avoid foul trouble like never before this year as the team’s top offensive weapon, and Batcho will need all the nuance he’s accumulated so far to get it done. With Batcho’s ability to catch in deep and draw almost the whole defense towards him, Hester will hope to see an evolution in his big man’s passing game, as well.
Life will be tougher for Batcho without his running mate from last season, do-everything forward and CUSA Player of the Year Isaiah ‘Iso’ Crawford. The Bulldogs must also replace sharpshooter Tahlik Chavez, who ranked fifth in the conference in triples a year ago. Fortunately, Hester has added an intriguing blend of rising young talent and veterans looking to step into the spotlight. Devin Ree fits in both camps, as an improving former Top 100 recruit who now has two seasons of experience under his belt. A lanky 6’8″ wing, Ree can really shoot the ball, and opponents know it. He didn’t do a great deal within arm’s reach of the rim last year, but if Ree can begin to attack closeouts fiercely and convert on cuts to the cup, his scoring game should blossom. A rather disruptive influence defensively, Ree can cover all over the lineup with his vast wingspan and standout agility for his height. Now that he’s a junior, Hester is hoping that Ree can put it all together and emerge as an every-game force.
“That’s what I came here for. I came to meet high expectations. I just want to win, man. I have team goals and team goals will take care of my individual goals.”
– Amaree Abram
A big question on the lips of Bulldog fans this summer has been: is Amaree Abram finally poised for a breakout? Once a 4-star guard who flashed serious potential as a freshman at Ole Miss, Abram saw the floor in highly irregular spurts last season at Georgia Tech. It was a frustrating experience for the former Texas prep star, but the lefty combo guard feels as though he’s found a coach and a place where he can succeed.
“He (Hester) always has high standards and high expectations. It’s our job to meet them,” Abram told the Ruston Daily Leader this August. “That’s what I came here for. I came to meet high expectations. I just want to win, man. I have team goals and team goals will take care of my individual goals.” Two years ago at Mississippi, Abram showed that he could really shoot the ball. He worked his way into a starting role by shooting 36.4% from the land of trey and 40.0% on 105 mid-range tries, per Bart Torvik. As a spot-up threat who can use his dribble to get into the lane once opponents start worrying about his jumper, Abram will be looking to bring a dynamic that the Bulldogs need. As a playmaker, Abram has good vision and is big enough to give Hester some fun options with his lineups, and the Bulldogs have gained another player who can get the rock inside to Batcho. If he can recapture his full confidence early this fall, Abram may emerge as the star he was always expected to become.
Just as intriguing an arrival as Abram is Kaden Cooper, who spent his rookie year at Oklahoma. A 4-star prospect just last fall, Cooper has incredible physical tools but got lost in the shuffle with the Sooners. He isn’t yet a refined offensive player, but Cooper is hell on wheels in transition and can absolutely drop the hammer when thrown a good pass near the rim. Tech’s passers will make good use of of his talents for slashing to the cup when he doesn’t have the ball, and Cooper must build off of that by making enough shots to space things out. His size and pro-style physique will translate defensively, and Cooper’s power ought to complement the wiry length of Ree nicely in bothering opposing wings. He may be a work in progress on some fronts, but Cooper has unteachable gifts. If Hester and his staff can unlock the youngster’s potential, Tech could find a new star in Cooper.
Point guard Sean Newman is back to keep everyone on the same page and see that Batcho is well-fed, and that’s sure to be a comfort to his teammates. After a standout debut season in the junior college ranks, Newman smoothly transitioned to Conference USA. He led the league in assists despite missing four games due to injury, and when Newman was out, the squad keenly felt the need of his calming influence.
“He is so steady and so solid,” Hester described Newman to the Bossier Press-Tribune in mid-December last season. “He makes us a better basketball team.” A patient and composed ballhandler who distributes the ball well around the perimeter, Newman is likely to be seen feeding the ball inside to Batcho relentlessly this winter. If he can show off a more consistently dangerous jump shot, Newman will become that much more of a threat to score the ball and open up the offense. Slick off the bounce and fearless attacking the paint, Newman didn’t always strike fear into the opposition as a shooter last year. He’s worked hard this summer to better add that dimension to his repertoire, and the Bulldogs are excited to see what’s next from their maestro.
Third-year guard Jordan Crawford is from Ruston, and he’s back as a solid part of the backcourt rotation. With Newman’s emergence last year, Crawford saw a dip in minutes, but his value as a defender and distributor is plain to see. As the team’s third guard capable of running point, Crawford keeps things flowing smoothly and creates effectively with his dribble. If Crawford can show a consistent jumper this year, his role could grow once more. Junior college import Al Green will also be looking for minutes, and he’s got the jumper to earn them. Green shot 37.5% from distance and 51.6% from the floor overall at the lower level last winter. He has shown off a solid mid-range game in summer practices, and if Green can consistently knock down open jumpers, he’ll find himself on the floor this year.
| Five Stats Which Tell The Tale (with national ranks) |
| 65.6 – Opponent Points Per Game (15th) |
| 49.0% – Team 2FG Percentage (238th) |
| 0.420 – Free Throw Attempts Per FG Attempt (11th) |
| 70.1% – Team Free Throw Percentage (269th) |
| 5.0 – Blocked Shots Per Game (17th) |
Hester has a variety of forwards to mix and match in support of Batcho. Junior Will Allen has played stout minutes in reserve the past two seasons, and figures to do so again. He’s not huge, but Allen does his work on the block. Through his first 61 games at Tech (with 20 starts), Allen has made just 55 field goals, but he’s grabbed 75 offensive boards and 77 defensive ones. He’s particularly good on the offensive glass, and despite averaging just 8.7 minutes per game last winter, Allen came up with 15 putback stabs, per Hoop-Math. Hester knows what he will get from the burly young forward, and that’s good defense, great positioning inside, an occasional bucket, and all-out-effort. Division II transfer Sean Elkinton is more of a stretch-4. He was highly productive at St. Edward’s, and Elkinton has the size to make a go of things. If he can prove himself defensively, Elkinton may add some contrast to the Bulldog frontcourt as an outside threat.
No one has any doubts about William Jeffress as a defender. He spent three seasons at Pittsburgh (four, counting a medical redshirt), and though he wasn’t much of an offensive contributor, Jeffress proved himself as one of the best and most versatile defenders in the ACC. He’s long, quick, and physical, and Jeffress is capable of going against bigger guys or shutting down highly athletic wing scorers. The value he brings on that side of the floor allowed Jeffress to average more than 16 minutes and make 22 starts in his Pitt career even though his shooting splits were, well, poor. In Ruston, his new coaches aren’t concerned by that; they’re focusing on all of the other things that Jeffress does at a high level.
“I think he’s loving being loved,” Hester told the Ruston Daily Leader, speaking about Jeffress this summer. “When you’re a role guy for three years you can start being like, ‘Man I want to step up and do a little more.’ I think he’s loving that we’re on him and every day we’re paying a high level of attention to him.” With just a bit of offensive improvement, Jeffress should prove highly valuable to the Bulldogs, and should help Batcho to give Tech one of the best interior defenses in CUSA.
| Five Out-of-Conference Games to Keep an Eye on |
| @ Memphis – December 4 |
| vs Grand Canyon – December 16 |
| vs UMass – November 13 |
| @ Louisiana-Lafayette – December 7 |
| @ UT-Arlington – November 9 |
Hester has brought in a couple of freshmen who look like they’ll be similarly good fits with the Bulldogs going forward. Landren Blocker is a wing player with good size and length which Tech’s coaches will definitely take advantage of. Blocker has open-floor moves and halfcourt slashing ability, and has the beginnings of a smooth pull-up game to compliment his dribble-drive skills. If he keeps polishing those overall offensive traits and can work against smaller players for post-ups, Blocker could one day fill a familiar isolation scoring role for the Bulldogs. Young point guard AJ Bates brings considerably more height and length than Newman, and his passing instincts are strong. There is no obvious need for either of this year’s rookies to assume a big chunk of the minutes immediately, but both can help out on a team that wants to get out on the break and really guard people.
The Dunkin’ Dogs have set out to test themselves again during the non-conference schedule, with another handful of tough road games. They’ll also host a stronger Grand Canyon side with revenge in mind come mid-December. With the veterans they’ve got back, LA Tech remembers the sting of their close losses last year, and one of the biggest themes for this year’s crew will be overcoming those near-misses.
That goal is part of a larger mission which will focus on team consistency this winter. Tech could hang with just about anyone last year, but their inability to close out good opponents hurt them. If the Bulldogs can play 40 full minutes of quality basketball, they’re going to be tough to beat. If each ten-minute section of action looks fairly different from game to game, there will be more frustration. These Dunkin’ Dogs have the size and athleticism to be a tremendous defensive outfit, and they’ll cash in with transition buckets once their defense has produced a steal or stop. If they can bring it in the same ways right up until the final whistle each time this year, LA Tech is going to have a chance to deliver on their potential in March.
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