Texas Tech basketball: Looking closely at the Red Raider roster
By Doug Winkey
He could make the pro leap with this season’s progress, but let’s assume Smith will stay for now and be even more of a front court force next season. He will have a lot more room to work without Ross, Livingston and Temple around. Smith will have help from medical redshirt junior Norense Odiase, who has missed almost this entire year with lingering foot trouble. Odiase was great last season when he averaged 8.5 points and 4.2 rebounds. Redshirt senior Tommy Hamilton should also factor in after transferring from DePaul. The former Blue Demon averaged 8.6 points and 5.5 rebounds at his last program and has great size at 6’11”, 260. Those three get recent commit Daniel Mading as reserve support.
The shooting guard and small forward spots should also get some help couple new bodies. Lubbock native Jarrett Culver stands 6’5″ and has some solid hype behind him as a top 20 player in Texas. There is also Florida transfer Brandone Francis-Ramirez. He only averaged 2.0 points as a Gator, but has good size at 6’5″, 210, a year of high major experience, and is a former four-star recruit. Both guys will push for playing time. JUCO shooting guards Joshua Webster and Jordan Brangers round out the newest Red Raiders on the wings.
More important than any of those guys, however, might be Hyron Edwards. Edwards is currently a point guard at Trinity Valley [TX] Community College where he averages 13.7 points and 5.5 assists. He is a three-star recruit on 247 and should bring immediate support to Evans and the point guard position.
Texas Tech is maxed out on scholarships right now at 13, but someone might transfer and Smith could try for the NBA. They graduate a ton this spring, but will still be a veteran squad among many younger Big 12 programs. Coach Beard and company should be much better next year if everyone stays and gets healthy.