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Texas Tech basketball: Why the Red Raiders will be much better in 2020-21

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - JANUARY 25: Head coach Chris Beard of the Texas Tech Red Raiders gestures during the first half of the college basketball game against the Kentucky Wildcats on January 25, 2020 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - JANUARY 25: Head coach Chris Beard of the Texas Tech Red Raiders gestures during the first half of the college basketball game against the Kentucky Wildcats on January 25, 2020 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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Marcus Santos-Silva #14 of the Virginia Commonwealth Rams  (Photo by Porter Binks/Getty Images)
Marcus Santos-Silva #14 of the Virginia Commonwealth Rams  (Photo by Porter Binks/Getty Images) /

There will be more size on the roster next year

Next year, Tech should not get bullied as much by bigger teams given that there will be more size on the court than we saw in 2019-20.  That could make a significant difference in how the season plays out.

If you look back at a number of Tech’s losses this season, the Red Raiders were simply pushed around by larger teams.  For instance, in the loss at West Virginia, Tech was outrebounded by 13.  When Baylor won in Lubbock, the Bears owned a 19-rebound advantage and pulled down 17 offensive rebounds.

We could go on with more examples but Red Raider fans don’t need to be reminded just how often this year’s lack of size was a problem.  Fortunately, that shouldn’t be an issue next year.

Instead of just one player at least 6-foot-8 like this year’s team had, Tech will have at least two in 2020-21.  That includes 6-foot-8 Joel Ntambwe, 6-foot-10 JUCO signee Esahia Nyiwe.

But also adding some size, if not necessarily some height, will be Santos-Silva.  Despite being just 6-foot-7, he’s an effective power forward thanks to his 250-pound frame.  This year, he averaged six rebounds per game and he will help keep tech from being pushed around in a similar way to what Norense Odiase did in 2018-19.

Tech will also have some extra athleticism on the court when 6-foot-7 Tyreek Smith debuts.  Forced to redshirt last season due to a broken foot, he had drawn comparisons to former Red Raider Zach Smith because of his off the charts leaping ability and that will help Tech compete in the post as well.

We knew that adding size was going to be a priority of Beard’s this offseason and we saw him pursue a number of big men in the transfer market including 7-foot-3 Purdue grad transfer Matt Haarms.  But bringing in Santos-Silva and Nyiwe and by finally being able to send Ntambwe and Smith onto the court, Beard will not have to worry as much about being undersized next season and that will be refreshing for Red Raider fans.

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