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Texas Tech basketball adds grad transfer T.J. Holyfield

By Matthew Conner

DALLAS, TX - MARCH 15: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders is blocked by TJ Holyfield #22 of the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks in the second half in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at American Airlines Center on March 15, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - MARCH 15: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders is blocked by TJ Holyfield #22 of the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks in the second half in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at American Airlines Center on March 15, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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DALLAS, TX – MARCH 15: Tommy Hamilton IV
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Holyfield is a natural fit on the Texas Tech roster

To say that T.J. Holyfield is a perfect fit on the 2019-20 roster is a bit of an understatement.  His addition helps sure up Chris Beard’s team in its biggest area of concern, the low post.

Though it might be hard to believe after losing Big 12 Player of the Year Jarrett Culver, next year’s team will have more talent at the guard positions than perhaps any in program history.  Davide Moretti, Kyler Edwards and DeShawn Corprew will all be back and the latter two will be expected to be vastly improved after their maiden voyages through the Big 12.

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And Tech is adding stellar freshmen in Jahmius Ramsey, Kevin McCullar and Terrance Shannon Jr., the first two of the three highest-ranked signees to have ever signed with the program.  And this week, freshman point guard Clarence Nadolny officially signed with the Red Raiders giving the roster a true point guard capable of both scoring and breaking down the defense off the dribble, which is something that was lacking at times this year outside of Culver.

What’s more, forwards Khalid Thomas (the preseason JUCO Player of the Year) and Andre Savrasov (a versatile freshman from Russia) should be able to stretch the defense with their outside shooting an versatility at the power forward spot.  Thus, there should be no shortage of shooting and playmaking for the Red Raiders.

But prior to Holyfield’s commitment, Tech was lacking a physical inside presence similar to what Norense Odiase provided last year.  Holyfield does not have the same bulk on his frame as Odiase but he has a similar mentality.  He loves to mix it up in the paint and is willing to sacrifice his body to do the dirty work that often sets the tone for a team.

He will need to make certain to add some strength because the Big 12 is loaded with rugged big men this year and he will have to hold up defensively, as Odiase did so well.  But his athleticism will allow him to be another player that can guard multiple positions, something that is essential in Tech’s defensive scheme.

Next. Forward Malik Ondigo enters transfer portal. dark

Overall, Holyfield is the type of player that one might design when creating a player that would be the perfect compliment to what was already on the Red Raider roster.  Short of cloning Tariq Owens, this is about as good of a fit as we could have hoped to add to next year’s Texas Tech basketball team.

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