NCAA Basketball: Ranking the 10 matchups in 2020-21 Big 12/Big East Challenge
7. St. John’s at Texas Tech
This is a matchup that could look very different months from now, depending on which leading scorer from each team returns. LJ Figueroa (14.5 ppg) of St. John’s has entered the draft but left the option to return to the team. The Red Storm could use him, with Mustapha Heron and starting guard Nick Rutherford both gone.
Their transfers from last offseason (Ian Steere and David Caraher) did not work out but freshman wing/forward Julian Champagnie had a great first year, averaging 9.9 ppg and a team-leading 6.5 rpg. St. John’s added more depth that should make an impact, including George Washington grad transfer Arnaldo Toro (6.5 ppg and 7.0 rpg) and JUCO transfers Vince Cole and Isaih Moore.
Texas Tech is also waiting on a key decision in Jahmi’us Ramsey (15.0 ppg), a projected top-40 NBA Draft who led the team in scoring in his freshman season. But even if he does leave, the team has a ready-made replacement in top-3 combo guard Nimari Burnett, along with top-50 wing Micah Peavy.
The Red Raiders also returns Kyler Edwards, Davide Moretti and Terrence Shannon for next season, as well as getting UNLV transfer big man Joel Ntambwe after sitting out this past year. The depth inside and firepower outside gives this team second-weekend potential next season.
What Ramsey and Figueroa decide could change this prediction but assuming that both returns, I have to give the edge to Texas Tech and their multiple weapons. St. John’s has to prove that they have more than just a couple of impact offensive players to be a bubble team in 2021.