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Texas Tech basketball: Red Raiders that have to step up vs. West Virginia

By Matthew Conner

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 04: Davide Moretti #25 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders speaks to the media in the locker room 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: Davide Moretti #25 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders speaks to the media in the locker room 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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LUBBOCK, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 05: Forward TJ Holyfield #22 and center Russel Tchewa #54 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 05: Forward TJ Holyfield #22 and center Russel Tchewa #54 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

Can Russell Tchewa play meaningful minutes off the bench?

Here’s a wild card pick for today, Russell Tchewa.  The 7-foot freshman has averaged just 6.4 minutes per game this year, second-fewest on the team, but he could be needed today against the Mountaineers’ size.

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The raw 255-pounder has seen action in all but two games this year however, it has been seven games since he’s logged more than 10 minutes of action.  That could change today.

Normally, when Tech has to send Holyfield to the bench, Beard will ask 6-foot-6 Chris Clarke to be a pseudo big man on defense and guard larger forwards.  Because of his strength and caginess, he’s normally a good post presence against players several inches taller.

But asking him to check either Culver or Tshiebwe will be tough this evening.  They aren’t your typical college basketball forwards.  Clarke will be giving up 50 pounds or more to both and both want to live on the blocks

Likewise, 6-foot-7 Andrei Savrasov will be giving up over 35 pounds to both WVU big men.  Though he will probably see some time today, he may not be strong enough to hold up down low either.

The only player on this roster who can match with WVU forwards in size and strength is Tchewa.  This is why he was brought to Texas Tech.  It’s time for him to put his big boy pants on and go to battle.

Next. Jarrett Culver playing his best ball of the year for Minnesota. dark

This is one of those games where Tchewa has to prove worthy of his scholarship.  Though he is essentially a long-term project, he has to give his team something today, even if it is just five hard fouls and five good rebounds.

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