Texas Tech Basketball: 2022-23 season preview for the Red Raiders

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MARCH 24: The mascot and cheerleaders of the Texas Tech Red Raiders perform during the game against the Duke Blue Devils during the Sweet Sixteen round of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Chase Center on March 24, 2022 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

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Utah Valley Wolverines center Fardaws Aimaq Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports /

There will be new faces but plenty of talent

Despite all the success in Adams’ first season, not many programs suffered more losses to their roster than Texas Tech did this offseason. With the announcement that Kevin Obanor would return for his super-senior season, that would mean the Red Raiders would have one of their top-10 scorers back for 2022. The transfer portal took away both Terrence Shannon, Jr. and Kevin McCullar, but gave Adams a way to rebuild his roster, thanks to five impact transfers.

Obanor will man one of the forward positions, and even though he was a 10 and 5 guy last season it could be expected that he should improve and be closer to the double-double guy he was while at Oral Roberts.

Fardaws Aimaq was a two-time WAC Defensive Player of the Year at Utah Valley on top of averaging 19 points and 13.6 rebounds. The 6’11 big man should be a big force in the paint in Lubbock, especially with Obanor beside him. With a foot injury likely to take him out of the non-conference portion of the schedule, look for Daniel Batcho to start in his place until he returns.

The other three starting spots should go to new guards. De’Vion Harmon who started his career at Oklahoma and spent last season at Oregon should take over the point guard duties. I expect the final two spots to go to guys looking for a chance to shine. Kerwin Walton was a starter two seasons ago at North Carolina averaging eight points and shooting 42% from deep, but injuries hampered his sophomore season and he only averaged 13 minutes per game.

Jaylon Tyson was much heralded coming out of high school as a top-40 recruit but he struggled to see the floor at Texas only seeing action in eight games. The 6’6 Texas native should be itching to show his talents. Yes, there are lots of new faces in Lubbock but fewer teams in the country could boast a more talented starting five on paper.

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