Texas Tech Basketball: 2019-20 season preview for Red Raiders
Starters
PG — JR Davide Moretti
The lone returning starter, Davide Moretti is expected to take charge of this new-look Texas Tech offense. The 6-foot-2 guard saw his minutes increase by nearly 20 per game his sophomore season, drastically improving his shooting numbers and offensive production along the way. Moretti finished the year as the Red Raiders’ second-leading scorer, averaging 11.5 points and 2.4 assists per game on 49.8 percent shooting and 45.9 percent from 3. He even earned All-Big12 third team honors, too. Expect the Italian native to take another step forward now that he holds the keys to the offense.
SG — FR Jahmius Ramsey
Jahmius Ramsey is Texas Tech’s top recruit in 2019 and figures to play a significant role in the offense. A borderline 4-star recruit, even reaching 5-star status on Rivals.com, Ramsey is among the highest-ranked recruits in Red Raiders basketball history. The 6-foot-4 guard is a dynamic scorer and will provide instant offense with his athleticism and explosiveness near the rim. During Texas Tech’s trip to the Bahamas this offseason, Ramsey dominated, finishing one game with 44 points and 12 rebounds over a Lithuanian pro team. If his shot progresses, Ramsey could be one of the Big 12’s best freshmen this season.
SF — FR Terrence Shannon Jr.
The starting small forward position is definitely the most up-for-grabs spot in Texas Tech’s rotation. It was assumed that Deshawn Corprew would’ve returned as a starter but after being dismissed from the program, Texas Tech will likely flash a small-ball lineup. Though Kyler Edwards has a year of experience under his belt, Terrence Shannon Jr. has a higher ceiling. A Top-100 recruit in the Class of 2019, Shannon Jr. is an athletic wing that will give a boost in transition and be a solid defender for the Red Raiders. His jumper needs some work, but Shannon Jr. proved he is a capable scorer — he scored 14 points per game during the Bahamas trip — and rebounder.
PF — SR Chris Clarke
The big-bodied Virginia Tech graduate transfer will slide into a starting role in his lone season with the Red Raiders. Chris Clarke was indefinitely suspended from the team last season but remained an enrolled student before announcing his intent to transfer this offseason — two days after Buzz Williams left for Texas A&M. The versatile wing will bring a huge boost to the Red Raiders’ defense — he’s able to guard multiple positions — and is a great rebounder, too. He will likely start at the power forward in a small-ball lineup, as Texas Tech does not have much experience or depth at the four or five. His best season came sophomore year, when he averaged 11.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 steals over 28.9 minutes per game.
C — SR T.J. Holyfield
Another transfer that will be inserted into a starting job right away is 6-foot-8 big man T.J. Holyfield. Like Clarke, Holyfield enters having not played at all last season, though he was injured, not suspended. The highly coveted Stephen F. Austin graduate transfer has started every college game of his career and is the most seasoned of any player on this roster. The last year he played for the Lumberjacks, Holyfield averaged 12.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. Holyfield will give Texas Tech a strong inside presence — he’s the team’s best post player — and even flashes a capable 3-point shot, too.