Wreck'Em Red
Fansided

Texas Tech basketball: Big men in transfer portal that could help Red Raiders

By Matthew Conner

BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 08: Matt Haarms #32 of the Purdue Boilermakers reacts to a play in the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Assembly Hall on February 08, 2020 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 08: Matt Haarms #32 of the Purdue Boilermakers reacts to a play in the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Assembly Hall on February 08, 2020 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next

Rapolas Ivanaauskas – Colgate

Averaging 13.1 points and 7.6 rebounds per game this past season, Rapolas Ivanaauskas of Colgate is in the transfer portal.  The 6-foot-10, 230-pounder would certainly add some bulk to Tech’s front-court rotation.

Coming out of high school in 2016, he was once committed to Northwestern.  He also held offers from Iowa, Purdue, and Creighton.

"“Can play the four or the five,” a scout told Goodman.  “Can pick and pop, pick and roll, capable 3-point shooter who is very aggressive in the post and can score over either shoulder and either block, but he’s best when his isolated on the right block. Will back you down and usually it’s not coming back out.”"

That scouting report doesn’t scream Texas Tech.  In the Chris Beard era, we haven’t seen any big man who prefers to get his offense with his back to the bucket so Ivanaauskas doesn’t look like a seamless fit.  However, an aggressive player who can operate in the pick and roll and knock down threes is always useful and sounds a bit like 2017-18 forward Tommy Hamilton, who was also a 6-foot-10 player that hit his share of bombs from deep.

"“I am open to playing anywhere,” Ivanauskas told Brain Snow of 247Sports. “I am just looking for perfect situation in terms of basketball.”"

This past season, the Illinois native had some impressive performances against major conference opponents.  He put up 14 points and 5 rebounds against Clemson, 12 points and 4 rebounds against Auburn, and 21 points and 9 rebounds against Cincinnati.   Thus, he should be able to play well against Big 12 teams but he might not be the type of big man Beard is looking for.

Home/Texas Tech Basketball