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

Center

Minutes Allocated (40 total): Tariq Owens (20), Norense Odiase (18) and Malik Ondingo (2)

The center position for the Red Raiders was rotated by a few big men, whose job was more so to be impactful on defense rather than score. That looks to be the same thing for the following season, although there’s a clear starter down low.

Owens had a breakout junior season with St. John’s, averaging 8.4 ppg, 5.9 bpg and more importantly, 2.8 bpg – good for 8th in the country. That’s huge for a Red Raiders team who was in the 300s in blocked shots last year. The 6’10 big man is a great athlete who’ll be able to guard guys like Sagaba Konate and Udoka Azubuike in the Big 12.

Owens has also shown a small ability to shoot the three-pointer, although he averaged just one attempt a game last year. If Texas Tech wants to have a big lineup, he could move to the power forward, providing minutes to Odiase.

The rising senior big man is a more prototypical center, weighing nearly 60 more pounds than Owens. He was the team’s starting center last season but only played 15 minutes a night. He’s not much of a scorer but did average 12 rebounds per 40 minutes.

Next: Preseason Big 12 Rankings for 2018-19

But players are seniors and bring different things to the equation. As I’ve said before, I’m very high on the wings and small forwards and feel that more minutes given to them gives Texas Tech a better chance to win. But if there’s a need for more size on the court, look for Odiase to get more time on the floor at the expense of the freshman Moore. Although there’s really no wrong answer for a program once again loaded with talent.