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Texas Tech Basketball: 2020-21 season preview for Red Raiders

By Tristan Freeman

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - MARCH 07: The Texas Tech Red Raiders stand for the National Anthem before the college basketball game against the Kansas Jayhawks on March 07, 2020 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - MARCH 07: The Texas Tech Red Raiders stand for the National Anthem before the college basketball game against the Kansas Jayhawks on March 07, 2020 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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Texas Tech Basketball
Texas Tech Basketball Kevin McCullar (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

Reserves for Texas Tech Basketball

JR Jamarius Burton

After averaging 10.3 ppg and 3.4 apg last season, the sophomore guard was part of the exodus of transfers at Wichita State. He landed at Texas Tech, and reportedly was set to redshirt this upcoming season. But he did get a waiver to play and with the NCAA giving all winter athletes a blanket extra year of eligibility, it makes sense to allow this talented guard to suit up.

Burton has the chance to be the first guard off the bench and may be the best pure point guard on the roster. How he fits alongside McClung and Burnett and how the total minutes get divided will be a question but Burton likely will be around longer than the other guards and will eventually start for this program.

SO Kevin McCullar

And quiet development that occurred for the team towards the end of last season was McCullar starting and playing well in the last eight eights. The 6’6 guard had five games of double-digit scoring and proved to be great on the boards. Look for him to have a role as an undersized forward to add some depth, as he proved to be a valuable asset going forward.

SO Joel Ntambwe

The 6’8 forward wasn’t able to get a waiver after transferring from UNLV a year ago but is eligible now. He averaged 11.8 ppg and 5.5 rpg as a freshman and is an elite offensive talent. If Texas Tech wants to use bigger lineups, Ntambwe could play at the power forward spot and likely will at times. But for now, he’s best to be a backup to Santos-Silva at center while the team uses its guards to create mismatches elsewhere.

FR Micah Peavy

Another talented wing on the roster, Peavy is a top-50 recruit and offensively-minded contributor. He play alongside the guards and even at the four-spot, as he can shoot the ball better than both McCullar and Shannon. He’ll find a spot in the rotation but minutes may be inconsistent if the returning players remain a step ahead of him.

FR Chibuzo Agbo Jr.

A few years ago, Agbo Jr. would likely be starting as a freshman for the Red Raiders. The four-star wing prospect is a talented long-term player for the program but there’s a legit case that he should redshirt this upcoming season, as the wing position is very crowded at the moment.

FR Vladislav Goldin

There aren’t too many pure big men on the roster for Texas Tech. And when facing the likes of Kansas or other teams with real centers this upcoming season, small-ball lineups may not work. Look for the 7’1 center and top-200 recruit to play spot minutes based on the matchups this year.

Clarence Nadolny and Avery Benson

These were two players who played a decent amount of minutes each game last season. However, barring injury of other circumstances, it’s hard to see either guard playing in any competitive minutes in 2020-21. At the very least, these are players that’ll be an asset in both the locker room and as practice squad players, better than what most other programs get to have.

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