NCAA Basketball: Projecting 8 biggest breakout stars for 2019-20

Given the seasons we saw Keenan Evans, Zhaire Smith, and Jarrett Culver have under head coach Chris Beard, a Texas Tech player should be on this list every year. And, with four starters gone from last season’s national championship runners-up, there will be a new face leading the Red Raiders yet again in 2019-20.

The question is who?

Many expect point guard Davide Moretti, the lone returning starter, to raise his game, but I think his skill set is best suited for playmaking and being perimeter shooting threat who doesn’t have to worry about creating his own shot. Kyler Edwards, on the other hand, has all the tools he needs to become Texas Tech’s next breakout star.

Edwards didn’t start a single game last year and had to work in a bench role in which he averaged fewer than 18 minutes per game. Despite being an undersized off guard at 6-3 and 200 pounds, he still found a way to make an impact when he stepped on the court.

For starters, he’s tough, athletic, and strong – the epitome of a Chris Beard-type player. All of those things helped make him a reliable defender and, on the other end of the court, he shot 44.9 percent from three.

Edwards played that 3-and-D role well but showed flashes of the other aspects of his game when he got the chance. He’s an underrated passer with good vision and has a wide array of finishes around the rim.

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With an increased role as a sophomore, Edwards will be put in a position to utilize these skills. Look for him to have a similar breakout season to Culver a year ago.