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Texas Tech basketball: Three newcomers we can’t wait to see in action

By Matthew Conner

Mar 7, 2020; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Members of the Texas Tech Red Raiders student body during a timeout in the game against the Kansas Jayhawks at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2020; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Members of the Texas Tech Red Raiders student body during a timeout in the game against the Kansas Jayhawks at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 21: Mac McClung #2 of the Georgetown Hoyas reacts after a three pointer during the first half of the game against the Texas Longhorns at Madison Square Garden on November 21, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 21: Mac McClung #2 of the Georgetown Hoyas reacts after a three pointer during the first half of the game against the Texas Longhorns at Madison Square Garden on November 21, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /

Mac McClung

Of course, we hope that Mac McClung gets to play this season because it will make the Red Raiders markedly better.  But we also hope that he plays this season because he is a blast to watch.

Playing with a flare and cockiness that has to drive opposing fan bases crazy, he could become one of the most hated players in the Big 12.  Naturally, that would make him the most popular player among the Texas Tech fan base as well.

At 6-foot-2, the native of Virginia is the shortest player on the roster.  However, he may have the team’s greatest vertical leap making him a true above-the-rim player.

His college highlight video is full of tremendous in-game dunks that would make Zharie Smith and Lance Hughes take notice. For instance, look at the reverse dunk he throws down in the clip below against DePaul.

But more than the highlight dunks, Red Raider fans will be happy to have a true closer on this year’s roster.  Finally, Beard will have an alpha-male to turn to when his team needs a bucket in crunch time of close games.  That’s something that was sorely missing from last year’s team.

Indeed, McClung has a flare for the dramatic.  For instance, check out the shot below he hit from near midcourt to force OT against Providence.

Then, there was the game at Oklahoma State last year when he carried his team to a win on a night when Georgetown was missing a pair of starters.  All he did in that game was go off for 33 points while draining four shots from deep (which isn’t necessarily his forte).

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With McClung in the mix, Tech will have a player that Beard can isolate late in games and know that he will be able to create offense.  That’s going to be refreshing after last year’s late-game struggles and it’s why we desperately hope we get to see McClung on the court this season.

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