Texas Tech basketball: 3 Red Raiders that aren’t being talked about enough

Tyreek Smith is a freshman no one is talking about

Our final player that we should talk about more is one who could go either way between being a key role player or spending most of the year at the end of the bench.  The truth is that we just don’t know what redshirt freshman Tyreek Smith has to offer.

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That’s because of the fact that last year, he didn’t play a single minute of action thanks to a broken foot sustained just prior to the beginning of the season.  Now he’s back to full health and there’s certainly a need for his skill set.

At 6-foot-7, 220-pounds, Smith is an elite athlete who could be this team’s best rim-protector.  In fact, many believe he could be a Zach Smith starter kit.

Don’t forget that Smith was a highly-rated recruit in his own right when he signed with Tech in the class of 2019.  In fact, he was the no. 144 player in the nation and no. 14 player in Texas as a 4-star recruit out of Cedar Hill.

While his overall offensive game might not be where it needs to be, especially in terms of his jumper, he has the type of athleticism to defend multiple positions and he can give this team some of the dirty work that is needed on the glass.  Keep in mind that this year’s roster is going to need a forward to step up behind Santos-Silva to play some defense and help the Red Raiders compete on the glass and in the paint.

While Joel Ntambwe is a 6-foot-8 forward, his game is far more geared towards the offensive end of the court and there are questions about his ability as a defender.  Thus, a player like Smith could earn some playing time behind Santos-Silva.

There was a time in the not too distant history of Texas Tech basketball when a player of Smith’s pedigree would have been the most hyped addition to the roster.  But those days are gone as the Red Raiders are now swimming in former top-100 recruits.  However, we shouldn’t overlook what he might bring to the table because this roster needs some athleticism and defense in the post and that’s certainly well within his skill set.