Texas Tech Basketball: 3 impact takeaways from Fardaws Aimaq injury
3. Loss of Aimaq opens up opportunities for others
Besides Batcho, not having a guy that was likely going to provide 25-30 mpg at a position will essentially rearrange the depth chart for everyone else. That’s especially true if Obanor has to play at the five-spot for a decent portion of his own minutes. It’s been mentioned that freshman forward Jennings has a chance to get rotation minutes early on and if he impresses, can be the key frontcourt piece of the future once both Obanor and Aimaq are gone after the season.
Another player to watch is Jaylon Tyson, who has had an interesting career to this point. He originally committed to Texas Tech before following head coach Chris Beard to Texas. Yet after playing just eight games last season, he transferred back to the Red Raiders midway in the year. He’s a former top-50 prospect and a 6’7 wing that can play multiple positions.
If he’s good enough, they could find him some minutes at the four-spot and allow UNC transfer Kerwin Walton to primarily play on the wing. Then Gardner-Webb transfer D’maurian Williams can handle the shooting guard position, while Oregon transfer De’Vion Harmon and freshman Pop Isaacs can run the offense at the point.
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This is a roster that still has depth and many of these guys can play multiple positions on the floor. And as long as the defense remains in the top tier nationally, opponents will still struggle to score on them. The question will be whether or not they’ll have enough scoring inside and out to win games and stay in the top half of the Big 12 while their key transfer pickup is on the sidelines.