Texas Tech Basketball: Projecting Red Raiders starting lineup for 2021-22 season

Center – Bryson Williams

2020-21 stats: 15.1 points, 7.4 rebounds per game

With the recent signing of Kevin Obanor, it’s easy to overlook how big of an addition Bryson Williams is to the Texas Tech roster. Bryson is a guy that has practically started every game since his freshman season at Fresno State. After transferring to UTEP his Junior year, Williams had quite the season averaging 17.2 points and 7.2 rebounds leading the miners in both scoring and rebounding.

In his senior year at UTEP, Williams saw his field goal attempts decrease significantly taking 132 fewer shot attempts than his junior season. He was still able to average over 15 points a game and was UTEP’s second-leading scorer last season.

When you watch the film, there are several similarities between Bryson Williams and Kevin Obanor. Williams is quick on his feet for a big, has good balance and strength when making post moves and cuts, and has a good-looking shot for a big. Williams doesn’t shoot the three-pointer nearly as well as Obanor but he does have the ability to knock them down on occasion. Over the last two seasons, Williams has made 50 3-pt shots averaging 32% from three-point range. He also happens to be a very good free-throw shooter averaging over 80% from the FT line the last two seasons.

Williams and Obanor will be one of the best frontcourt tandems in the Big 12 and if they can prove themselves defensively they could end up being one of the best frontcourt duos in the entire country.

In summary, that gives you a projected starting lineup of:

Kevin McCullar, Sardaar Calhoun, Terrence Shannon Jr, Kevin Obanor, and Bryson Williams.

What makes this roster truly special is the depth Mark Adams will have to work with. Guys like Marcus Santos-Silva, Davion Warren, Mylik Wilson, Adonis Arms, KJ Allen, Chibuzo Agbo, and Clarence Nadolny will all find meaningful roles next season. This is a roster that will legitimately have some of the deeper rotations in college basketball next season.

This is going to be a highly anticipated season and I think Texas Tech fans are going to really enjoy watching this roster play. The season cannot get here fast enough.

WreckEm!