NCAA Basketball: Preseason top 25 power rankings for 2022-23 season

The traditionally elite defense coached by Mark Adams will have some new pieces but will be anchored by a former Conference Defensive Player of the Year if Fardaws Aimaq. The 6’11 transfer center from Utah Valley was one of the best mid-major players in the country in the past two years, averaging 18.9 ppg and 13.6 rpg. In the year prior, Aimaq led the country with 15.0 ppg as well.

But Aimaq isn’t just a defender and rebounder, he also shot 44% from three-point range on 46 attempts and can space the floor. He’ll be a nice frontcourt mate for returning forward Kevin Obanor, who averaged 10.0 ppg and 5.5 rpg last season. He played second fiddle to Bryson Williams last season in the frontcourt but finished the 2021-22 campaign with seven straight double-digit scoring games, including four double-doubles.

The backcourt has some new faces, led by Oregon transfer DeVion Harmon. He also previously played at Oklahoma so he’s familiar with the Big 12. He’s a combo guard but likely will be running the offense unless four-star freshman Richard “Pop” Isaacs takes over the reins as a true point guard.

As expected, Texas Tech has plenty of wings on the roster with “3 and D” capabilities. That includes 6’5 Gardner-Webb transfer D’maurian Williams, coming off a season of averaging 14.5 ppg on 39% shooting from three-point range. Kerwin Walton didn’t play much at North Carolina last season but he’s a career 40% shooter from deep as well. There’s also a pair of top-50 prospects in Jaylon Tyson and Elijah Fisher, with Fisher having reclassed to join this season.

I have questions about the backcourt and whether or not Harmon can be a lead guard on a top-25 team. But if the defense remains top-10 caliber and Aimaq has a good impact, the Red Raiders will find a way to be a contender in the Big 12.