NCAA Basketball: 8 teams that should target top-100 guard Chris Johnson
Texas Longhorns
Coach Beard may not be at Texas anymore but new Coach Rodney Terry could help the Longhorns get their former target. The potential to play close to home is going to be a major sell, while also having a path to playing time. As mentioned, Arterio Morris had left Texas to go to Texas and top-30 prospect AJ Johnson went pro instead of sticking with the program this offseason.
Johnson could be the first guard off the bench behind Oral Roberts transfer, Max Abmas, and returning starter, Tyrese Hunter. Dillon Mitchell’s surprising return will take away minutes at the three-spot but if he’s willing to wait a year with limited minutes, Johnson could find himself starting as soon as a sophomore at the Big 12 program.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Texas Tech has a new head coach (Grant McCasland) and a fairly new-look roster, though most of the changes have come in the frontcourt. In the backcourt, key freshman Richard “Pop” Isaacs is back as the lead guard, joined by Grand Canyon transfer, Chance McMillian. They also bring back guards D’maruian Williams and Lamar Washington, along with adding four-star point guard, Drew Steffe.
Next. Updated WTE ACC rankings for next season. dark
There’s definitely a path for playing time for Johnson out the gate and he and Isaacs would be a very nice offensive perimeter duo in the Big 12. The biggest question is whether or not Coach McCasland is ready for the new league because Coach Bill Self was as sure a bet in NCAA Basketball as possible. The Red Raiders for next season, however, is a risk. Though ask Tylor Perry how that worked out.