Busting Brackets
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Texas Tech Basketball: Ranking 2019-20 non-conference opponents

By Tristan Freeman

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 08: A view of the Texas Tech Red Raiders shorts prior to the 2019 NCAA men's Final Four National Championship game against the Virginia Cavaliers at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 08: A view of the Texas Tech Red Raiders shorts prior to the 2019 NCAA men's Final Four National Championship game against the Virginia Cavaliers at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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DAYTON, OH – MARCH 13: Donald Hicks #5 of the Radford Highlanders defends against Raiquan Clark #23 of the LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds during the game at UD Arena on March 13, 2018 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
DAYTON, OH – MARCH 13: Donald Hicks #5 of the Radford Highlanders defends against Raiquan Clark #23 of the LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds during the game at UD Arena on March 13, 2018 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

8. Eastern Illinois Panthers (Nov 5)

2018-19 record: 14-19 (7-11)

Double-digit scorer Ben Harvey decided to transfer to Southern Illinois but the Panthers essentially return everyone else. The upperclassmen-heavy team features junior guards Josiah Wallace (15.5 ppg) and Mack Smith (12.8 ppg) and can be a threat from three-point range. Forwards Rade Kukobat and JaQualis Matlock will anchor the frontcourt again while Shareef Smith will initiate the offense. With the starting lineup all returning, Eastern Illinois has their best chance in a while to compere for the Ohio Valley title.

7. (N) Houston Baptist Huskies (Nov 13)

2018-19 record: 12-18 (8-10)

The graduation of big man Edward Hardt hurts but the hope is that 6’10 Mount St. Mary’s transfer Ryan Gomes could admirably fill in for him. The key to the Huskies next season is the return of All-Southland guard Ian Dubose, who averaged 17.0 ppg, 5.9 rpg and 3.4 apg last season. He leads a top-20 scoring offense…. but also a bottom-five scoring defense. If they can stop someone, they have a shot at a top-tier finish in the Southland and put up a fight against power conference foes.

6. Texas-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros (Dec 21)

2018-19 record: 20-17 (9-7)

It was a breakout year for the program last year, winning 20 game for the first time since the 2001-02 season. They lose two of their top three guys but still brings back four players who averaged at least 8.7 ppg, including forward Lesley Varner Jr. (11.2 ppg and 5.4 rpg). They’ll need several newcomers to step up to have a solid 7-8 man rotation but the Vaqueros have a good shot at another top-half WAC finish.

5. LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds (Nov 24)

2018-19 record: 16-16 (9-7)

It’ll be difficult for the Blackbirds to replace leading scorer and All-Northeast guard Raiquan Clark (18.9 ppg). That was until he was given an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA this spring, meaning that LIU Brooklyn will have their top four scorers all back for next season. They only lose one player from their rotation but instantly replaces him with sit-out transfer Virshon Cotton, who averaged 7.3 ppg as a freshman at Akron. The should be the favorites in their respective conference and with the game before Thanksgiving, Red Raiders fans should be on high alert in this one.

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