Teichmann: An offensive technician

Speed and length are two of the Union men's basketball team's strengths this season, but neither was a match for Freed-Hardeman's Kyle Teichmann on Saturday.

Teichmann tied a career-high 29 points by scoring inside and outside in a 94-89 loss to No. 17 Union.

The 6-foot-6 sophomore has eclipsed the 20-point mark eight times in 17 games this season, building upon this past season in which he was named TranSouth freshman of the year.

Teichmann may lack some of the physical strength that FHU fans were used to when former center Zack Frey was the cornerstone of the program.

But Teichmann brings various technical skills to the Lions' offense even with less than two collegiate seasons.

"He killed us (Saturday)," said Union coach David Niven. "He can go inside or outside. He can put it on the floor and drive.

"(FHU) got it to him on out-of-bounds plays and in the halfcourt. And we didn't play bad defense either. He is one of the best in our league."

Teichmann faced a Union roster with five players standing at least 6-foot-6, including a mixture of athletic low-post and perimeter defenders.

But he withstood a pounding in the post on offense and defense while creating shots on the perimeter for himself and others against quicker defenders.

"He's a really good player," said FHU coach Jason Shelton. "He's very solid in a lot of areas.

"He can always improve offensively and he is still learning about post defense. But he steps up and makes baskets in an unselfish way and looks for teammates as well."

Teichmann spread his points out in Saturday's game, but scored nine of FHU's first 11 points to offset Union's 7-2 start.

He opened the second half by completing a three-point play, handing the Lions their largest lead at 46-40.

The Brentwood native hit one of his two 3-pointers to tie the game at 62-62 before scoring his last 10 points in the final 5:30 to keep FHU close.

"It depends on the game," Teichmann said when asked if he had a preferred way to score. "We see what the defense is doing and find a mismatch.

"(Saturday) I played well outside."

Teichmann leads the team with 19 points and seven rebounds per game, and his efforts have become more important since FHU lost seniors Ken Bingham and Vincent Barnes.

Bingham, the team's second-leading scorer with 11 points, will have surgery on his Achilles tendon Tuesday while Barnes (five points, four rebounds) can play a lot of different positions.

Bingham played Jan. 8 in a win against Cumberland while Barnes (broken foot) has missed the past three games.

Both players could be out for the season.

"I do feel like I have a target on my back even more so," Teichmann said. "My teammates played really well (against Union), and we can carry that over.

"We are still adjusting to the injuries."

Copied from the Jackson Sun 1/17/2011. Matt Vines is the writer.