Texas Tech basketball: Ranking the Chris Beard transfers

No. 6: Tommy Hamilton IV

Less was expected of Tommy Hamilton IV when he transferred in from DePaul during Beard’s first year.  The 6-foot-10 forward was asked to provide some size in the post and some 3-point shooting to stretch the floor but he was never asked to be a star.

He played his role to the tune of 5.4 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.  Though both numbers were by far career-lows, Hamilton’s lone season on the South Plains has to be considered as a bit of a success given that he helped Tech reach the Elite Eight for the first time.

Starting eight of 37 games, the big man shot 38.5% from behind the arc, which proved to be his greatest contribution to that season.  He averaged just under one made 3-pointer per game.

Hamilton wasn’t nimble enough to be dominant in Beard’s motion offense.  Rather, he was more suited to play in a traditional system where he could go to work on the blocks with his back to the basket.

Likewise, he wasn’t all that adept at guarding smaller players in Tech’s switch everything defense.  That’s why he played a smaller role for the Red Raiders than he did for the Blue Demons.

Hamilton had five double-digit scoring games that season.  His best was a 14-point showing against Kansas State on the road. That day he was 4-4 from 3-point range.

He also had 10 points against Northwestern in a game that saw the Red Raiders dominate a ranked opponent on a neutral court.  It was the first sign that year that Beard’s team was ready to make some noise.  And though Hamilton was never a star for that team, he played his role respectably for the Red Raiders.