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Texas Tech basketball: What we learned about the Red Raiders in the Bahamas

By Matthew Conner

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 08: Texas Tech Red Raiders fans cheer prior to the 2019 NCAA men's Final Four National Championship game against the Virginia Cavaliers at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 08: Texas Tech Red Raiders fans cheer prior to the 2019 NCAA men's Final Four National Championship game against the Virginia Cavaliers at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

7-foot freshman Russell Tchewa is not a project

We’ve grown quite spoiled rather quickly when it comes to Texas tech basketball recruiting.  That’s why many fans thought that 7-foot 2019 signee Russell Tchewa might be a long-term project who would not contribute much this season given that he was “just” a 3-star prospect.

We often assume that any 7-footer that is not a 4-star prospect or better must be uncoordinated, lumbering, and awkward.  After all, if they weren’t, they would certainly be rated higher.

What’s more, Tchewa’s high school stats were far from mind-blowing (13.5 points, 5.4 rebounds per game) and he was not a darling of the AAU circuit.  But this week, he showed that he is more than ready to contribute this season.  In fact, he could become rather crucial to this team given that he is the only player on the roster over 6-foot-8.

That’s why it was important for the big man to play well this week.  Appearing in all three games, he averaged 4 points and 1.3 rebounds in 9.3 minutes per game.

His best showing came Sunday when he had eight points and four boards in 14:49 of court time.  But while his stats were somewhat modest, what we saw in other aspects of the game was what was most encouraging.

For instance, the 260-pounder displayed an ability to run the floor to both join the fast break or to get back on defense.  As you can see from the clip below, Tchewa is more than capable of getting up and down the floor and he displays some soft hands and an ability to finish on the move.

Additionally, Tchewa hit a couple of nice baby hook shots in the paint in the Bahamas.  If he can begin to hit that shot with regularity, he will become a tremendous asset on that end of the court.

When Tchewa committed to the Red Raiders, most believed that he would redshirt this season.  That was due in part to the presence of forwards Malik Ondigo and Josh Mballa on the Red Raider roster.

But now that both of those players have transferred to other programs, the Red Raiders need Tchewa to give them some meaningful minutes this year.  Though he will not have to carry the load, he does have to be a player Chris Beard can rely on and this week, he showed signs that he is up for the task.

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