Texas Tech Red Raiders
2020-2021 Overall Rank: #20
Conference Rank: #4 Big 12
After consecutive seasons with at least 27 wins, Texas Tech dropped off a bit last year, though it was understandable with so much roster turnover after their trip to the National Championship Game. The Red Raiders finished just 18-13, but still managed to finish 9-9 in the always tough Big 12 and were likely headed to the NCAA Tournament. This year, Texas Tech loses another hefty portion of their production, but there are more returning pieces than last year and a strong group of newcomers joining the roster. With Chris Beard back as head coach, Texas Tech has top-ten team in the nation upside.
2019-20 Record: 18-13, 9-9
Coach: Chris Beard
Coach Record: 94-44 at Texas Tech, 190-74 overall
Key Departed Players:
Jahmi’us Ramsey, Guard, 15.0 ppg
Davide Moretti, Guard, 13.0 ppg
T.J. Holyfield, Forward, 8.9 ppg
Chris Clarke, Forward, 5.6 ppg
Russel Tchewa, Center, 1.7 ppg
Andrei Savrasov, Forward, 1.1 ppg
Jahmi’us Ramsey, Guard, 15.0 ppg
Davide Moretti, Guard, 13.0 ppg
T.J. Holyfield, Forward, 8.9 ppg
Chris Clarke, Forward, 5.6 ppg
Russel Tchewa, Center, 1.7 ppg
Andrei Savrasov, Forward, 1.1 ppg
Key Returning Players:
Kyler Edwards, Junior, Guard, 11.4 ppg
Terrence Shannon, Sophomore, Guard, 9.8 ppg
Kevin McCullar, Sophomore, Guard, 6.0 ppg
Clarence Nadolny, Sophomore, Guard, 2.0 ppg
Avery Benson, Junior, Guard, 1.8 ppg
Kyler Edwards, Junior, Guard, 11.4 ppg
Terrence Shannon, Sophomore, Guard, 9.8 ppg
Kevin McCullar, Sophomore, Guard, 6.0 ppg
Clarence Nadolny, Sophomore, Guard, 2.0 ppg
Avery Benson, Junior, Guard, 1.8 ppg
Key New Players:
Chibuzo Agbo, Freshman, Guard
Nimari Burnett, Freshman, Guard
Jamarius Burton, Junior, Guard, Transfer from Wichita State
Vladislav Goldin, Freshman, Center
Mac McClung, Junior, Guard, Transfer from Georgetown, Pending Waiver
Joel Ntambwe, Sophomore, Forward, Transfer from UNLV
Micah Peavy, Freshman, Guard
Marcus Santos-Silva, Senior, Forward, Graduate Transfer from VCU
Tyreek Smith, RS Freshman, Forward
Nimari Burnett, Freshman, Guard
Jamarius Burton, Junior, Guard, Transfer from Wichita State
Vladislav Goldin, Freshman, Center
Mac McClung, Junior, Guard, Transfer from Georgetown, Pending Waiver
Joel Ntambwe, Sophomore, Forward, Transfer from UNLV
Micah Peavy, Freshman, Guard
Marcus Santos-Silva, Senior, Forward, Graduate Transfer from VCU
Tyreek Smith, RS Freshman, Forward
Projection:
Texas Tech loses three starters and their top two scorers, but Kyler Edwards and Terrence Shannon return and are primed for breakout seasons. Edwards already started his breakout as a sophomore as he averaged 11.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.1 assists in his first season as a starter. With the departures of Ramsey and Moretti, Edwards could become one of the top scorers in the Big 12. Terrence Shannon had a solid freshman campaign, averaging 9.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists. Kevin McCullar and Clarence Nadolny didn’t play quite as much as freshmen, but all three should see bigger roles as sophomores. Texas Tech welcomes a strong group of newcomers including at least three impact transfers and a top-ten recruiting class. Marcos Santos-Silva is a graduate transfer from VCU who should instantly start in the frontcourt. Santos-Silva started all 64 of his games the last two seasons and averaged 12.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.1 steals last year. Jamarius Burton was granted a waiver to play immediately this year after spending the last two seasons at Wichita State. Burton started 52 games there and averaged 10.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists as a sophomore. Joel Ntambwe spent one season at UNLV before sitting out last year at Texas Tech. Ntambwe started all 31 games as a freshman and averaged 11.8 points and 5.5 rebounds. Even if high-profile guard Mac McClung isn’t granted a waiver, the Red Raiders will have one of the top transfer groups in the nation. Texas Tech also has a strong recruiting class led by four-star, top-50 prospects Nimari Burnett and Micah Peavy. Chris Beard has put together yet another strong roster despite losing three starters from last season. The Red Raiders should compete for a Big 12 championship and have Final Four upside in 2021.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 71.9 (147th in nation, 3rd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 63.5 (29, 5)
Field-Goal Percentage: 45.2 (101, 2)
Field-Goal Defense: 40.7 (60, 6)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.2 (175, 4)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 35.5 (66, 1)
Free-Throw Percentage: 75.4 (39, 2)
Rebound Margin: 0.0 (184, 6)
Assists Per Game: 15.4 (25, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.7 (225, 7)
Madness 2021 NBA Draft Rankings:
#21 Terrence Shannon
Madness 2020 Men’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#32 Nimari Burnett
#36 Micah Peavy
#102 Chibuzo Agbo
