Texas Tech Red Raiders
Big 12 (18-13, 9-9)
After earning a 3-seed in consecutive NCAA Tournaments, Chris Beard’s Red Raiders have taken a slight step back in 2019-20. Following a trip to the national championship game, Texas Tech lost four starters and returned only two players who played more than five minutes per game. Given this context, it’s still quite impressive that Beard has his team back in the NCAA Tournament. Winning games hasn’t come as easily to the Red Raiders this season, but Texas Tech still has a top defense and a coach that no one will want to face in the tournament.
Big Wins: 12/10 vs Louisville (70-57), 1/29 West Virginia (89-81), 2/8 at Texas (62-57)
Bad Losses: 12/4 at DePaul (60-65), 1/21 at TCU (54-65), 2/15 at Oklahoma State (70-73)
Coach: Danny Kaspar
Why They Can Surprise:
Texas Tech’s potential to win games in the NCAA Tournament stems from their defense. The Red Raiders are 9th in defensive efficiency, allowing just 63.5 points per game and forcing 16.0 turnovers per game. On the season, opponents have shot just 40.7% from the field against their smothering defense. Offensively, Texas Tech hasn’t been the most efficient scoring team, but they have shot the ball well from the floor. In Big 12 play, the Red Raiders shoot 45.6% from the field and 38.0% from three, both in the top two in the conference. Texas Tech also shoots 75.4% from the free-throw line, which is 38th in the nation. Their record may not be pretty, but the Red Raiders have lost four games in overtime along with road losses at Kansas and Oklahoma State by three points each. This team is better than their record shows and would not be a pleasant sight for a 1-seed or 2-seed in the second round.
Why They Can Disappoint:
While they have good shooting percentages across the board, Texas Tech has struggled just to get shots up at times. The Red Raiders have turned the ball over 13.7 times per game this season, which is roughly 20% of their possessions. Texas Tech also struggles to accumulate second chance points with just 9.0 offensive rebounds per game, ranking 251st in the nation. Their ability to put the ball in the net isn’t as valuable when the shot volume is as low as it has been for the Red Raiders. Also, while their defense has been stingy, they do struggle to rebound on that end as well and they send opponents to the free-throw line far too often. In Big 12 play, Texas Tech allows 21.1 free-throw attempts and 11.2 offensive rebounds per game. For a team that plays at a slow pace like the Red Raiders, that is too many extra opportunities given to the opponent. As mentioned above, Texas Tech lost all but two rotation players from last year’s runner-up team, so a lack of tournament experience could be a shortcoming for this team as well.
Probable Starters:
Davide Moretti, Junior, Guard, 13.0 ppg, 2.3 apg
Jahmi’us Ramsey, Freshman, Guard, 15.0 ppg, 2.2 apg, 4.0 rpg
Kyler Edwards, Sophomore, Guard, 11.4 ppg, 3.1 apg, 4.0 rpg
Kevin McCullar, Freshman, Forward, 6.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg
TJ Holyfield, Senior, Forward, 8.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.6 bpg
Jahmi’us Ramsey, Freshman, Guard, 15.0 ppg, 2.2 apg, 4.0 rpg
Kyler Edwards, Sophomore, Guard, 11.4 ppg, 3.1 apg, 4.0 rpg
Kevin McCullar, Freshman, Forward, 6.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg
TJ Holyfield, Senior, Forward, 8.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.6 bpg
Key Role Players:
Chris Clarke, Senior, Forward, 5.6 ppg, 4.6 apg, 6.6 rpg
Terrance Shannon, Freshman, Guard, 9.8 ppg, 1.0 apg, 4.1 rpg
Avery Benson, Sophomore, Guard, 1.8 ppg
Clarence Nadolny, Freshman, Guard, 2.0 ppg
Russel Tchewa, Freshman, Center, 1.7 ppg
Andrei Savrasov, Freshman, Forward, 1.1 ppg, 1.0 rpg
Terrance Shannon, Freshman, Guard, 9.8 ppg, 1.0 apg, 4.1 rpg
Avery Benson, Sophomore, Guard, 1.8 ppg
Clarence Nadolny, Freshman, Guard, 2.0 ppg
Russel Tchewa, Freshman, Center, 1.7 ppg
Andrei Savrasov, Freshman, Forward, 1.1 ppg, 1.0 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 71.9 (145th in nation, 3rd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 63.5 (30, 5)
Field-Goal Percentage: 45.2 (99, 2)
Field-Goal Defense: 40.7 (60, 6)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.2 (176, 4)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 35.5 (68, 1)
Free-Throw Percentage: 75.4 (38, 2)
Rebound Margin: 0.0 (184, 6)
Assists Per Game: 15.4 (25, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.7 (222, 7)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
| 2019 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Northern Kentucky |
| 2019 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Buffalo |
| 2019 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal win over Michigan |
| 2019 | NCAA | Regional Final win over Gonzaga |
| 2019 | NCAA | National Semifinal win over Michigan State |
| 2019 | NCAA | National Final loss to Virginia |
| 2018 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Stephen F Austin |
| 2018 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Florida |
| 2018 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal win over Purdue |
| 2018 | NCAA | Regional Final loss to Villanova |
| 2016 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Butler |
| 2010 | NIT | First Round win over Seton Hall |
| 2010 | NIT | Second Round win over Jacksonville |
| 2010 | NIT | Quarterfinal loss to Mississippi |
| 2007 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Boston College |
| 2005 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over UCLA |
| 2005 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Gonzaga |
| 2005 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal loss to West Virginia |
| 2004 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Charlotte |
| 2004 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to St. Joseph's |
| 2003 | NIT | First Round win over Nevada |
| 2003 | NIT | Second Round win over San Diego State |
| 2003 | NIT | Quarterfinal win over Georgia Tech |
| 2003 | NIT | Semifinal loss to St. John's |
*all team stats through 3/8
