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Texas Tech basketball: Strengths and weaknesses of the 2020-21 roster

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - JANUARY 25: Guard Terrence Shannon Jr. #1 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders dunks the ball during the first half of the college basketball game against the Kentucky Wildcats at United Supermarkets Arena on January 25, 2020 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - JANUARY 25: Guard Terrence Shannon Jr. #1 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders dunks the ball during the first half of the college basketball game against the Kentucky Wildcats at United Supermarkets Arena on January 25, 2020 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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Mac McClung #2 of the Georgetown Hoyas dunks the ball during a college basketball game against the Appalachian State Mountaineers at the Capital One Arena on December 18, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Mac McClung #2 of the Georgetown Hoyas dunks the ball during a college basketball game against the Appalachian State Mountaineers at the Capital One Arena on December 18, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Weakness: McClung depending on the NCAA

Texas Tech basketball fans are holding their collective breath as everyone in Raiderland waits for word from the NCAA on the status of McClung’s appeal for immediate eligibility.  And that’s for good reason because the season may well hinge on that decision.

Beard certainly built this roster with the idea that McClung will be able to play this year.  That’s one reason why Wichita State transfer Jamarius Burton is going to redshirt.

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Make no mistake, Tech desperately needs McClung to be in the mix this season.  That’s because he will not only help fill the scoring void left by the departures of Jahmi’us Ramsey and Davide Moretti (McClung averaged 15.7 p.p.g. last season, which would have led the Red Raiders) but he will bring something to the court that the previous version of the Red Raiders lacked; a closer.

Time and time again a season ago, Tech struggled in late-game situations because there was no one on the roster capable of making a play one-on-one.  That’s McClung’s specialty.

McClung plays the game with a brashness that drives opposing fans crazy but which is common of a closer.  He welcomes the pressure and wants the ball in his hands when the game is on the line.

What’s more, he has the athleticism to make something happen off the bounce as his specialty is getting to the rim.  Much like Keenan Evans three years ago and Jarrett Culver in 2018-19, McClung can bring some order to late-game, one-score situations by being the guy through whom the offense is run.

But without him, who is that player?  We know that none of the returnees are suited for that though Shannon could become a closer if his shooting touch improves.  Edwards is certainly not that type of player and it would seem a bit much to ask one of the incoming freshmen to carry such a load right away.

light. Related Story. Recruiting targets to keep an eye on

So in essence, the strength of this roster is in the hands of the NCAA given how integral McClung figures to be this year.  And as we learned last year with the Ntambwe fiasco, leaving your fate in the hands of the folks in Indianapolis is always a dicey proposition.  If McClung is able to play, this is a Final Four contender.  If not, Tech can still be an excellent team but likely not a threat to win it all.

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