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Texas Tech basketball: Players we are happy to see leave the Big 12

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TX - JANUARY 02: General view of a basketball and Big 12 logo taken before the game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Texas Longhorns on January 02, 2016 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech won the game 82-74. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX - JANUARY 02: General view of a basketball and Big 12 logo taken before the game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Texas Longhorns on January 02, 2016 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech won the game 82-74. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /
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Davide Moretti #25 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders drives the ball as Tyrese Haliburton #22 of the Iowa State Cyclones puts pressure on. (Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images)
Davide Moretti #25 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders drives the ball as Tyrese Haliburton #22 of the Iowa State Cyclones puts pressure on. (Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images) /

Iowa State: Tyrese Haliburton

Iowa State’s Tyrese Haliburton is virtually certain to be the first Big 12 player off the board in the 2020 Draft.  In fact, in this Bleacher Report mock draft, he heads to Golden State with the No. 5 pick.

There’s no question that the 6-foot-5 Wisconsin native was the most complete Big 12 point guard this year.  But a broken wrist caused him to miss the last month of the season meaning that when the Red Raiders went to Ames, he was just a spectator.

On the season, Haliburton averaged 15.2 points, 6.5 assists, and 5.9 rebounds.  And he was without question the alpha male for the Cyclones.

But against Tech, he was never that much of a problem.  He had 13 points in Tech’s win in Lubbock this season but it took him 12 shots to do so.  He also had one more turnover (3) than he had assists.

What’s more, as true freshman, he had just two points total in two games against Tech.  That included being shut out when Tech won in Ames to sow up a share of the Big 12 regular-season title.

So why should we be so happy to see Haliburton head to the NBA?  Because Iowa State is always a tough team to handle, especially in Ames.  What’s more, they’ve been rather ornery when coming to Lubbock in recent years.

Thus, seeing the Cyclones as depleted as possible is in the best interest of the Red Raiders.  And nothing is going to hurt them as much as losing their unquestioned leader and the best NBA point guard prospect in the Big 12.

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