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Texas Tech Basketball: Analyzing the Red Raiders’ 2018-19 rotation

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 23: Josh Webster #3 and Brandone Francis #1 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrate defeating the Purdue Boilermakers 78-65 in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament East Regional at TD Garden on March 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 23: Josh Webster #3 and Brandone Francis #1 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrate defeating the Purdue Boilermakers 78-65 in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament East Regional at TD Garden on March 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – MARCH 25: Head coach Chris Beard of the Texas Tech Red Raiders reacts against the Villanova Wildcats during the first half in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament East Regional at TD Garden on March 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MARCH 25: Head coach Chris Beard of the Texas Tech Red Raiders reacts against the Villanova Wildcats during the first half in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament East Regional at TD Garden on March 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Texas Tech Basketball has another solid roster for the 2018-19 season. How will this new-look Red Raiders team project when it comes to minutes and roles?

There’s no question how great and historic last season was for Texas Tech Basketball. It was the first time in school history that the Red Raiders have made the Elite Eight and were the biggest threat to end Kansas’ Big 12 Regular Season title streak. The question was going to be whether or not it was sustainable.

Based on the work of Head Coach Chris Beard and the staff – the answer seems yes. Despite losing five seniors (Keenan Evans, Niem Stevenson, Tommy Hamilton, Justin Gray and Zach Smith who were all contributors), a future first-round draft pick Zhaire Smith and Josh Webster to the transfer market, Texas Tech has plenty of talent to remain in both the Big 12 and NCAA Tournament picture.

The Red Raiders have four recruits coming into the fold, including possibly the best Junior College transfer in the 2018 class. They join a pair of quality grad transfers in Matt Mooney and Tariq Owens who filled holes in both the perimeter and in the paint this off-season. The hard work has made this team once again viable for next season.

For this piece, I’ll be taking a look at what Texas Tech’s rotation may look at for next season, using the traditional positions for clarity. There are two players who’ll be joining the program mid-way through and I’ll be discussing their potential impact.

*I’ll be making a call in saying that Josh Mballa, a 6’8 three-star forward will redshirt, or at least play in minimal minutes in 2018-19. Texas Tech isn’t stacked with true frontcourt players but I have a certain view of how the wings will be utilized.