Big 12 Basketball: Big XII Preseason Team Power Rankings

Feb 14, 2015; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Toddrick Gotcher (20) shoots against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at the Frank Erwin Special Events Center. Texas beat Texas Tech 56-51. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports

9. Texas Tech Red Raiders

Last season, Texas Tech was 302nd in the country in offensive rating. That’s… bad. They can talk about how Tubby Smith is their coach all they want, but he can’t do anything if he doesn’t get better personnel on the floor.

Well, guess what? His recruiting class doesn’t look too hot. But for some good news, he returns Toddrick Gotcher and Devaugntah Williams, two of his three best players from last year. The expectations for this year can’t be much more than those guys taking some of the younger guys, who might end up being decent, under their wing (Keenan Evans, Justin Gray, Zach Smith), and seeing some flashes from the under-classmen. It will be another long year in Lubbock.

Texas Tech won’t finish last in the conference if…

Williams and Gotcher perform like seniors. In those two players alone, Tech has the most experienced and proven players in this triumvirate at the bottom of the Big 12. That’s not saying much, but it’s something.

Like I said earlier, they need to take some of the younger guys under their wing, and show them how to compete. Because that’s been something they haven’t been used to in Lubbock.

Next: 10. Kansas State