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Texas Tech Basketball: Texas Tech Red Raiders 2015-16 Season Preview

By Matt Ostrowski

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Texas Tech Red Raiders

2014-2015 Record: 13-19 (3-15 Big 12)
Postseason: None

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What’s considered a successful season for a team that hasn’t finished above 500 since 2010? Even worse, a team with no tournament appearances since 2007. But this year might be just a little different in Lubbock.

Tubby Smith returns almost all of his rotation players, and the Red Raiders are primed to finally break the 500 mark. There’s no telling where they go from there, but they have a young team that could conceivably make the tournament in the coming years. Regardless of a 500 finish or not, this will still be a long year in Lubbock, however.

Newcomers

F – C.J. Williamson (#282, 247Sports Composite)
G – Devon Thomas (JUCO transfer)
G – Jordan Jackson (#330, 247Sports Composite)
F – Rokas Ulvydas (not ranked)

Key Non-Conference Games

Nov. 19 vs Utah – Texas Tech plays Utah in the first round of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off this season. The Utes will give Tech fits in both the backcourt and the frontcourt.

Jakob Poeltl, arguably the best NBA center prospect in the NCAA, will be a pain for Smith and Odiase to handle inside. At point guard, Brandon Taylor is as quick as they come, and will provide a nice early test for new point guard Keenan Evans.

Playing three games in Puerto Rico is the closest thing to a road game for Texas Tech, and they will play every other non-conference game in the confines of Lubbock, with the exception of a trip to Arkansas in mid-January, after Big 12 play has already started.

Dec. 29 vs. Richmond – Texas Tech’s final tuneup before Big XII play is huge for them for a couple of reasons. First of all, their entire non-conference schedule might only contain one NCAA tournament opponent with the aforementioned Utah.

The Big XII figures to have six or seven of them. Second, their first road game is a trip to Ames, Iowa to take on Iowa State, immediately after their game against Richmond.

Tubby Smith better make sure his team is ready during their final tuneup against the Spiders.

Jan. 30 at Arkansas – Texas Tech will travel to Fayetteville to take on a Razorback team coming off their first NCAA tournament appearance under Mike Anderson, and first for the school since 2008. Sure, they lost Bobby Portis and Michael Qualls, but Anthlon Bell and freshman Jimmy Whitt will sure make this a difficult game for the Red Raiders.

Key Players

Devaugntah Williams – It was an interesting season for the Red Raiders leading scorer last season. He had his great games, like when he absolutely scorched Baylor’s zone, going 8-9 from three to the tune of 28 points. He also had his really bad games, like his 1-10 performance against Loyola. Obviously, as evidenced by his performance against Baylor, he can catch fire in an instant, but he lacks a dribble-drive game to compliment that. If he can improve on that, he might have an outside shot at third team Big 12 this season.

Zach Smith – Williams keys Texas Tech’s offense. Smith keys Texas Tech’s defense. After blocking 1.5 shots per game last year, Smith has a chance to have a major impact on the defensive end this year. He’s not too shabby on the offensive end either, as he possesses a nice, versatile, inside and out game.

Season Outlook

Like I said at the beginning, what do you call a successful season for a team that has been so bad for so long? I really do think they can finish above 500 this year, and that would have to be considered a successful season. Their non-conference schedule is awful, and I think they can at least beat Kansas State and TCU two times each come conference play. Hopefully they can reach 500 and build upon that for the future.

Next: Oklahoma State 2015-16 Season Preview

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