Texas Tech basketball: 5 questions as Red Raiders begin camp

Does this team have enough size in the post to compete?

The game of basketball has evolved from the way it was played 30 years ago to the point that coaches want a positionless lineup on the floor.  That’s one of the tenants of Beard’s system as Tech runs the motion offense and a switch everything defense.

But still, you have to have some size in the paint and that’s where this year’s team might be lacking.  Tech lost both forwards that were part of last year’s 8-man rotation and replacing each will be difficult, to say the least.

We may never see a player with the wingspan, height, and athletic ability of Tariq Ownes who was the key to the nation’s best defense.  And Odiase’s strength in the block helped Tech matchup with teams that had a size advantage in the paint.

This year, Tech will again have to find some post players ready to contribute and none look to be ready-made replacements for Owens or Odiase. Holyfield will be one of those players but despite being 6-foot-8 like Odiase, he is not the type of brick wall that Odiase was.  Holyfield is a better scorer and more athletic but will he be able to provide the muscle that is needed at times?

The other options are both freshmen.  7-foot Russell Tchewa was impressive in limited action in the Bahamas but still, he’s likely far from ready to play huge minutes this year.  However, there will be times that he’s needed to help combat opponents with elite height in the paint.

Tyreek Smith is a freak of an athlete who may remind some of former Red Raider Zach Smith.  At 6-foot-7, he can provide some rebounding and shot-blocking but the fact that he’s three inches shorter than Owens means he won’t likely be able to do everything that Tech’s top defender did a season ago.

Right now, it looks like Holyfield will be the team’s only starter over 6-foot-7.  That’s not necessarily a bad thing as Beard values athleticism and effort more than size.  After all, we saw the 2018 Villanova Wildcats win the national title with no player over 6-foot-8.

But there will be times that this year’s team will face some elite size in the post.  Whether or not the Red Raiders can compete in those instances is something we will be curious to find out.