As the co-champions of the LSC, the Tarleton State Texans pride themselves on being a well-rounded team with multiple leaders and options to take over games.
But like any good team, there is a go-to guy. And for Tarleton, senior forward Fabian Wilson gladly takes that role. And don’t let his 240-pound frame fool you. While he’s usually the man on the floor to grab a big rebound or make a key stop, Wilson isn’t afraid to become the clutch scorer if needed as well.
Many times this season, and even late last year, Wilson has hit key baskets down the stretch. In a triple-overtime loss to co-champion Midwestern State, Wilson hit a 3-pointer to force overtime, a running layup as time expired to force a second overtime and then tying free throws in the final seconds to pull even for an eventual third overtime.
Last year against MSU in the LSC Championship in Bartlesville, the Texans trailed by 14 at halftime before Wilson hit three consecutive 3-pointers to put TSU on a run that would eventually send them cruising past the Mustangs and into the finals.
“He’s always been a pretty good shooter,” Tarleton State head coach Lonn Reisman said. “He’s ready to take that shot. He’s taken it a couple of times this year to really help us win some games.”
Wilson, the only Tarleton State player on the All-LSC first team, said it’s a mindset that helps him want the ball in those clutch situations.
“I’m not afraid to hit a big shot. If my team needs me, and if I’m open, I’m going to take the shot to hit it,” Wilson said. “I’m not afraid to take those shots. But coach wants me to control the paint and that’s what I try to do. He wants me to Wes Dipprey to get in there and control the paint with everything we have.”
And controlling the paint is certainly Wilson’s game. While he ranks 10th in the LSC in scoring at 13.3 points per game, he’s also in the top 10 in other categories, such as rebounding, where he ranks third, pulling down seven boards a game. Wilson is also seventh in the league in field-goal percentage at 528 percent and he’s seventh in blocked shots averaging one per game.
“He’s a very big power player,” Reisman said of Wilson. “And he has a lift for a player his size. He’s a little quicker than you think he is. His physical strength, he can do a lot with it. He’s really worked on his inside moves. I think he’s got a great feel for the game inside the paint.”
More than anything, Reisman said Wilson’s presence inside provides the Texans with open outside shots. In Wednesday’s quarterfinal win over Texas A&M-Kingsville, who actually led TSU by three at halftime, the Texans rallied with a 42-point scoring surge in the second half. With Wilson demanding constant double teams, it opened up shots for teammates Brian Word, who scored 13 of 15 points in the second half and Chris Harrell, who hit two big 3-pointers in the run.
“Without a doubt, he helps us in that area,” Reisman said of Wilson. “When they start double-teaming him, it’s going to give you an opportunity to go inside-outside. I like to go inside-outside a lot better than outside-in.”
But more than anything Wilson gives on the court, Reisman said he’s excited about the person he has developed into.
“I’m happy for him in a lot of ways. He’s going to graduate,” Reisman said. “You just watch everything about him. He’s grown so much as a person. That’s what pleases me more than him growing as a basketball player.”
And as a senior, Wilson knows the start of March means tournament time, but it also means his collegiate basketball career is nearing the end.
“Every game is like a championship game,” Wilson said. “It’s one game at a time from here on out.”
So if this the clutch part of the season, expect the Texans to rely on Wilson even more down the stretch, if that’s even possible.
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