NCAA Basketball: Michigan, Stanford, Texas Tech and Northern Iowa takeaways from Battle 4 Atlantis
5th place – Texas Tech Red Raiders
Positive takeaway: Joe Toussaint a major impact transfer
During the Bob Huggins saga that led to a late transfer exodus, Joe Toussaint became available. Texas Tech was able to offer a nice role and the decision from him to join has worked out nicely. The senior ball-handler now leads the team in scoring and passing at 14.5 ppg and 3.0 apg after a great tournament.
Toussaint averaged 17.7 and 4.6 ppg in the three games, including 21 pts in the comeback win over Northern Iowa. He allows Pop Isaacs to play more off-ball and he’s a veteran playmaker that new coach Grant McCasland can trust. His leap into a go-to option is how the Red Raiders have been able to have a good start to the season.
Negative takeaway: Warren Washington is only real size they have
Washington is a 7’0 transfer center from Arizona State who starts for Texas Tech at around 23 mpg. He’s given them solid interior defense but not a ton of scoring. And there really aren’t other options at the five outside of freshman Eemile Yalaho, who got limited minutes in the event.
Next. Takeaways from top teams from Maui Invitational. dark
There were lineups that saw 6’6 Devan Cambridge and Darrion Williams play at the five, along with Robert Jennings. Against teams like Michigan who don’t have a scoring threat at center, it can work out well. But against a team like Villanova, it doesn’t. It’s something Coach McCasland will have to consider ahead of Big 12 play, as he may have to give Washington more minutes to secure that position.