NCAA Basketball: Preseason Top-25 power rankings for 2020-21 season
. Red Raiders . 16. team. 468. .
The Red Raiders lost four starters from last year’s team, including leading scorers Jahmi’us Ramsey and Davide Moretti, along with point/forward Chris Clarke and TJ Holyfield. An argument could be made that their projected replacements in the lineup could be even better this season.
There’s much more depth in the frontcourt this time around, led by UNLV transfer Joel Ntambwe and VCU grad transfer center Marcus Santos-Silva. 7’1 freshman center Vladislav Goldin and redshirt freshman forward Tyreek Smith to provide backcourt, along with sophomore Terrence Shannon at the combo forward spot.
On the perimeter, Kyler Edwards is a national breakout candidate and could very well lead the team in passing. Joining him is Nimari Burnett, the highest-rated commit for the program ever and a talented combo guard. Speaking of combo guards, Texas Tech landed another one this offseason in Georgetown transfer Mac McClung. He averaged over 15 ppg in two seasons and can create his own offense but will need to improve defensively to fit the new team’s scheme.
The Red Raiders have another top-50 freshman on the roster in Micah Peavy, a 6’7 wing who has tremendous talent but will have to find a way to crack the rotation. One way is to have Shannon move over to the power forward spot at times, which would give the team great versatility on both ends of the court.
Assuming McClung gets a waiver, there will be plenty of mouths to feed on offense for Texas Tech. But head coach Chris Beard deserves the benefit of the doubt that he’ll be able to make it work. With an improved frontcourt, look for this team to be ranked for most of the upcoming season, and even give the projected top teams of the Big 12 a run for their money.