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Texas Tech Basketball: Why Red Raiders will win the Big 12 in 2019

By Jason Kinander

LUBBOCK, TX - JANUARY 28: Jarrett Culver #23 and Davide Moretti #25 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrate during the second half of the game against the TCU Horned Frogs on January 28, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated TCU 84-65. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX - JANUARY 28: Jarrett Culver #23 and Davide Moretti #25 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrate during the second half of the game against the TCU Horned Frogs on January 28, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated TCU 84-65. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /
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LUBBOCK, TX – JANUARY 08: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders passes the ball during the second half of the game against the Oklahoma Sooners on January 8, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Oklahoma 66-59. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX – JANUARY 08: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders passes the ball during the second half of the game against the Oklahoma Sooners on January 8, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Oklahoma 66-59. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

1. They have the Big 12 Player of the Year in Jarrett Culver

After Texas Tech’s Sweet Sixteen run last season, the question was immediately posed if Sophomore Jarrett Culver would forgo his final three seasons of eligibility, and declare for the NBA Draft.

The Red Raiders has already lost leading scorers Keenan Evans and Zhaire Smith, and losing Culver would’ve been a back-breaker.

Nonetheless, Culver surprisingly stayed. 3/4 of a season in, and the decision looks like a golden one for both Culver and Tech.

Culver’s draft stock has skyrocketed: he is now a likely top-10 pick. Texas Tech’s success has been mainly due to Culver, and now the Red Raiders are in a better position than last season.

Additionally, Culver is likely going to win the Big 12 Player of the Year. He’s averaging 18.5 points, seven rebounds, and four assists per game, and has carried Texas Tech both on offense and defense.

Every championship team has a clear top guy on offense. Texas Tech has possibly their best one yet in Jarrett Culver, who has the ability to carry Texas Tech all the way to the finish line, if his play thus far this season has been an indicator of anything.

With Culver at the helm, I like the Red Raider’s chances every single possession on both offense and defense.

Texas Tech’s got perhaps their best player of the 21st century in Jarrett Culver. With a solid supporting cast, they’ve got as good of a shot as anyone to win the Big 12.

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