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Texas Tech basketball: 5 questions as Red Raiders begin camp

By Matthew Conner

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 04: Head coach Chris Beard of the Texas Tech Red Raiders speaks to the media during a press conference prior to the 2019 NCAA Tournament Final Four at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 4, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 04: Head coach Chris Beard of the Texas Tech Red Raiders speaks to the media during a press conference prior to the 2019 NCAA Tournament Final Four at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 4, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Will the grad transfers be as successful this year?

Last year, the Texas Tech basketball team leaned heavily on two grad transfers, Matt Mooney and Tariq Owens.  To say that each of those players was a key component to the Red Raiders’ success would be an understatement.

Mooney was third on the team in scoring at 11.3 points per game and Owens was the team’s best defensive player while setting the program record for single-season blocks in addition to scoring 8.7 points per game.  Now, Beard is counting on two new grad transfers to play huge roles this year.

Guard Chris Clarke from Virginia Tech and T.J. Holyfield from Stephen F. Austin have joined the program for their senior seasons and most assume they will be starters.  While they are both excellent players, keep in mind that neither played a game last year.

Clarke was suspended for off-court reasons and Holyfield was sidelined by a shoulder injury so both have not played a meaningful game in over 12 months.  Whereas Mooney and Owens arrived after two very productive seasons, Clarke and Holyfield will both be working their way back into game shape (both physically and mentally) while being expected to be huge contributors.

Holyfield is the bigger of the two concerns because of his shoulder injury.  In last month’s 3-game exhibition tour of the Bahamas, he looked rusty and was not as impactful as Tech will need him to be in the regular season.

Last year, Tech got off to a fantastic start to the season going 11-1 in non-conference play.  This year’s out of conference schedule is even more daunting and will challenge this rebuilt roster almost immediately.

Watch to see how well these two grad transfers mesh with their new team.  Though we all were spoiled by the success of Mooney and Owens last year, we can’t just assume that every grad transfer that joins the program will have such instant and profound success.

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