Wreck'Em Red
Fansided

Texas Tech basketball: Surprises from the Red Raiders season-opener

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 05: Head Coach Chris Beard of the Texas Tech Red Raiders reacts to a call during the first half of the college basketball game against the Eastern Illinois Panthers at United Supermarkets Arena on November 05, 2019 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 05: Head Coach Chris Beard of the Texas Tech Red Raiders reacts to a call during the first half of the college basketball game against the Eastern Illinois Panthers at United Supermarkets Arena on November 05, 2019 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
(Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
(Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

T.J. Holyfield can do more on offense than many believed

At 6-foot-8, 225-pounds, Holyfield is going to be this team’s primary post presence.  That’s because the only two other posts on the roster are true freshmen Russel Tchewa and Tyreke Smith, the latter of whom is currently sidelined with a foot injury.

In game-one, Tech’s new starting forward showed an offensive game that was far more versatile and skilled than his reputation suggested he possessed.  He put up 15 points on 7-8 shooting which included a three-pointer.

Though several of his baskets came around the rim, what surprised most was his ability to operate in space.  In fact, in the clip below the displays fantastic ball-handling away from the rim to beat his defender off the bounce.

https://twitter.com/TexasTechMBB/status/1191925049994952704?s=20

Later in the game, he hit a step-back jumper from the corner after crossing over his defender by going behind the back. It was as smooth of an offensive move as we saw all night and showed that this is a different type of big man than we’ve been accustomed to seeing in Lubbock.

It’s not necessarily that we thought Holyfield was a traditional power forward in the mold of former Red Raider Norense Odiase, but his guard-like handles and smooth jumper were at a level far beyond what most power forwards are capable of.

Making this debut even more impressive is the fact that Holyfield was playing in his first real game since March of 2018.  Had his offensive game been off, especially his jump shot, it would have not been surprising given that he missed all of last season with a shoulder injury.

As the only post player on the floor for the Red Raiders, Holyfield will draw the watch of the opposition’s biggest defender most nights and if he can draw his man away from the basket, it will open up more driving lanes for the Red Raiders’ bevy of slashers.  Over the last few years, we’ve seen post players such as Tommy Hamilton and Tariq Owens knock down open jumpers and plenty of 3-pointers.  But we’ve not seen one with the polished offensive game of Holyfield and his ability to create his own offense will be key this season.

Home/Texas Tech Basketball