Texas Tech Basketball: Chris Beard’s first season ends with no tourney berth
By Doug Winkey
Texas Tech basketball finished 18-14 overall and 6-12 in the Big 12 in Chris Beard’s first year.
Texas Tech basketball was in a strange place last spring. Tubby Smith bolted for Memphis and former assistant Chris Beard was hired from Little Rock by way of UNLV. He brought in a solid class of JUCO guys and graduate transfers, but things never really came together this season. Beard and the Red Raiders went 18-14, 6-12 in the Big 12 and missed the postseason entirely after getting bounced by Texas in the Big 12 Tournament.
Related Story: Looking closely at the Red Raiders' roster
The year started out great. Tech was actually 11-1 in nonconference while playing one of the softest schedules in the country. The Big 12 slate was far less kind; TTU beat both West Virginia and Baylor in Lubbock but were 0-9 in road contests. They never won two games in a row from late-December until the end of they ear. The Red Raiders now have to continue to rebuild the program’s foundation after four players graduate before next season.
There were some bright spots, namely Keenan Evans and Zach Smith, but a lack of consistency and general toughness means Beard’s first run was a letdown.
Final Grade: C-
So, what is next in Lubbock?
Who’s gone:
G – Devon Thomas (4.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.7 apg)
F – Anthony Livingston (9.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg)
F – Aaron Ross (9.0 ppg, 2.8 rpg)
F – Matthew Temple (2.3 ppg)
Livingston is maybe the biggest loss after transferring Arkansas State. The former Red Wolf settled down as a quality third scoring option and even hit the most threes of anyone on the team. Ross took a step back from last year’s numbers but was still an effective post. Temple played much the same role he did last year as the deep reserve in the post.
Thomas was a bit of a disappointment. He came into the season as a potential starting option and while he didn’t produce big, he still managed to nearly double his points and assists. Each of these guys produced in their own way and provided tons of overall experience.
Who’s back:
G – Keenan Evans (15.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 3.0 apg)
G – Niem Stevenson (8.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg)
G – Shadell Millinghaus (3.9 ppg)
F – Zach Smith (12.1 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.4 bpg)
F – Justin Gray (8.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg)
F – Norense Odiase (2.7 ppg)
This is a solid core for next season even if Smith decides to make the NBA leap. Evans and Stevenson were an effective guard duo for much of the year and should return as two of the top three Red Raider scoring options; both hit threes at or above 37 percent. Millinghaus was a role-player but still has a solid pedigree behind him as a former Southern Miss Golden Eagle.
Gray is a good swing man but didn’t get measurably better compared to his sophomore year. The Tampa native’s scoring was very nearly identical to last season (up to 8.9 from 8.7), but his three-point percentage dropped significantly from 42 percent to 22 percent as he moved more into a post-role. Beard should move him back outside to maximize his versatility. Odiase is the final piece definitely returning. He was injured much of the year but averaged 8.5 points and 4.2 rebounds as a sophomore.
Who’s new:
G – Hyron Edwards (6’1″, 175, transfer from Trinity Valley [TX] CC)
G – Jordan Brangers (6’2″, 190, transfer from South Plains [TX] CC)
G – Joshua Webster (6’4″, 160, transfer from South Plains [TX] CC)
G – Jarrett Culver (6’5″, 170)
G – Brandone Francis (6’5″, 210, transfer from Florida)
F – Daniel Mading (6’9″, 200)
C – Tommy Hamilton IV (6’11”, 255, transfer from DePaul)
Coach Beard is bringing in a ton of help to supplement his core returners. Francis and Hamilton bring the most hype thanks to their major college experience. Francis, in particular, was a heavily recruited four-star guy back in 2014. Those are maybe the biggest contenders for big rotation minutes right away.
The JUCO guys are all interesting options as well. Edwards could contend for the starting point position after dishing out 5.5 assists this past season. Brangers looks like a pure scorer with his average of 21.2 points on 51 percent shooting (47 percent 3pt). Webster could also factor as a combo guard and Brangers as the primary distributor.
Lubbock native Culver and Aussie import Mading round out the class. It is tough to see either making a huge impact in year one, but recruiting younger players is the most sustainable way to build consistent contenders.
TTU is maxed out on scholarships, but someone could elect to transfer and Smith is a potential NBA forward with his unique athletic ability. The Red Raiders could be a sleeper if Beard gets his guys to gel in year two.
Next: Catching up on the West region
Final Number to know:
47 – That is the percentage Tech hit from the field this year, which tied for third among Big 12 programs with Iowa State. The returning players could be even more efficient from the floor after hitting just over 48 percent between the six of them. A lot could go right next year if the Raiders can hang tough over the spring and summer.