Chris Beard takes over a Texas Tech basketball program that welcomes three impact transfers.
TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS
Last Season: 7th, 9-9 in Big 12, 19-12 overall
Predicted Big 12 Finish: 4th
Projected Depth Chart
C: Tommy Hamilton (Sr)/Norense Odiase (Jr)/Matthew Temple (Sr)
PF: Zach Smith (Jr)/Anthony Livingston (Sr)
SF: Aaron Ross (Sr)
SG: Justin Gray (Jr)/Niem Stevenson (Jr)/Shadell Millinghaus (Jr)
PG: Keenan Evans (Jr)/Gio McLean (Sr)/Devon Thomas (Sr)
Gone: SG-Devaugntah Williams, SG-Toddrick Gotcher, G-Jordan Jackson (transfer-Midland JC), C-Rokas Ulvydas (transfer-UCF), SG-C.J. Williamson Jr. (transfer-Florida Gulf Coast)
Strengths:
With the addition of grad transfers, Anthony Livingston from Arkansas State and DePaul’s Tommy Hamilton, the Red Raiders have a nice combination of skill and depth in their frontcourt. The two join four returning forwards who all averaged eight-plus points per game in Zach Smith, Aaron Ross, Norense Odiase, and Justin Gray. Not many teams Big 12 will be able to match Texas Tech’s size and strength inside.
Question Marks:
While there is a plethora of options inside, Tech must replace their two leading scorers from a year ago in Devaugntah Williams and Toddrick Gotcher. Keenan Evans is back to run the point and Gray should slide over to the shooting guard position and is a good outside shooter. Quinnipiac grad transfer, Gio McLean brings experience and scoring to the lineup while JUCO transfers Niem Stevenson and Shadell Millinghaus will compete for playing time as well.
Player to Watch:
Texas Tech has eight-nine guys who could go off any night and that balance is going to be invaluable. Ross’ versatility as an inside/outside option though makes him a dangerous threat. He averaged 10.3 points per game and 4.5 rebounds as the team’s sixth man last season, playing just 22 minutes per game.
X-Factor:
Beard’s aggressive on the transfer market in landing the three grad transfers could ultimately be the tipping point that gets the Red Raiders back to the NCAA Tournament. How Hamilton, Livingston, and McLean blend on this roster while taking small roles than they did last season will be vital to the team’s success.
Looking Ahead to 2017-18:
With six seniors on this season’s roster, Beard has already hit the ground running for his 2017 class. Florida transfer shooting guard, Brandone Francis will become eligible and the team already has commitments from JUCO guards, Hyron Edwards and Jordan Brangers as well as Jordan Culver.
Key Non-Conference Games:
11/22 vs. Auburn (Cancun Challenge)
11/23 vs. Purdue/Utah State (Cancun Challenge)
12/17 at Richmond
1/28 vs. LSU (SEC/Big 12 Challenge)
David Kay is a senior feature NBA Draft, NBA, and college basketball writer for the Sports Bank. He also heads up the NBA and college basketball material at Walter Football.com and is a former contributor at The Washington Times Communities. David has appeared on numerous national radio programs spanning from Cleveland to New Orleans to Milwaukee to Honolulu. He also had the most accurate 2011 NBA Mock Draft and the most accurate 2012 NBA Mock Draft on the internet (Yup, repeat champ… #humblebrag), and finished with the second most accurate 2013 NBA Mock Draft (nearly a three-peat.) You can follow him on Twitter at David_Kmiecik.