Texas Tech Basketball: 2019-20 keys for Red Raiders to beat DePaul

2. Big game from TJ Holyfield

Has Stephen F. Austin transfer TJ Holyfield been a disappointment so far for the Red Raiders? Absolutely not! There are hundreds of transfers each year and it’s 50/50 as to whether or not they work out. There are plenty of higher-profiled transfers from this offseason that has been struggling so far, while Holyfield has put up good numbers.

In 21.6 mpg, the senior is averaging 11.6 ppg and 4.6 rpg, although he’s scored in single-digits in three of the past four games. The biggest reason for that is constant foul trouble, having four committed fouls in the last four games. Holyfield is going from playing in the Southland Conference to now regularly dealing with much bigger foes down low, a lot of times at the center position.

The problem that Texas Tech has is that they don’t have a true center to anchor the defense as they did with Tariq Owens a year ago. The other frontcourt players include 6’6 Chris Clarke along with 7’0 center Russel Tchewa. Head coach Chris Beard would love to play the freshman big more but he’ll have to continue developing and earn more minutes.

In the meantime, the Red Raiders will have to hope that Holyfield can stay on the court to avoid getting killed inside. But that’ll be difficult against junior forward Paul Reed, who is averaged a whopping 15.3 ppg and 10.4 rpg. He’s just 6’9 (DePaul doesn’t have rotation players over 6’9) but is athletic and can spread the floor. Clarke is capable of guarding Reed but Holyfield himself will have to do most of the dirty work. He’ll have to not only stay on the court but have a double-digit/defensive presence in this game.