Texas Tech basketball: Looking closely at the Red Raider roster
By Doug Winkey
Junior Keenan Evans has really upped his game under Coach Beard. His scoring is up from 8.7 to 15.5 and shooting 48% overall compared to 41% a year ago. Every major statistical category is better than last year with at least four or five games left. He could be even more dangerous next season in another year as the team’s primary ballhandler.
The only problem with Evans’ dominance is that few other guards have really made a consistent impact. Backup point guards Devon Thomas and Giovanni McLean only combine for around eight points and three assists per game. Those numbers aren’t actually terrible, but the two are atrocious from deep – neither shoots better than 27% from three and are a combined 12-45, or 27%, from the arc.
Shadell Millinghaus is even worse from deep at 15%, but does manage four points a night. Only Niem Stevenson is real second option on the perimeter with 9.0 points an evening and 41% from the perimeter. A lack of perimeter options has really hurt this team in course of several games.
The wing forward is in a weird spot with Justin Gray. I thought the burly junior would be the guy this season, but his scoring has stayed almost identical to last year (8.8 compared to 8.7). His overall shooting percentage is 56%, but his outside shooting has dropped from 42% as a sophomore to 25%. His rebounding, block and foul numbers would indicate a higher usage rate in the post, which has given him very little room to develop. Moving him outside more could give the team a different, better dimension.
The front court is in better shape with multiple productive options. Zach Smith, Anthony Livingston, Matt Temple and Aaron Ross all logging consistent minutes. All but Temple average at least 9.7 points per game and each does things a little differently. Smith puts up the most traditional post numbers with 7.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. Livingston has been a versatile presence with his 40% outside shooting since transferring from Arkansas State; he hit the big shot against West Virginia back in early January. Ross’s role has been slightly diminished this season, but the senior forward is still chugging along with 9.7 points and 2.8 rebounds. He also gives the Red Raiders another stretch forward option with 43% from deep.