Texas Tech basketball: Five bold predictions for the 2020-21 season

March 30, 2019; Anaheim, CA, USA; Texas Tech Red head coach Chris Beard celebrates the victory over Gonzaga Bulldogs following the championship game of the west regional of the 2019 NCAA Tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
March 30, 2019; Anaheim, CA, USA; Texas Tech Red head coach Chris Beard celebrates the victory over Gonzaga Bulldogs following the championship game of the west regional of the 2019 NCAA Tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
2 of 6
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)

Three Red Raiders will earn All-Big 12 honors

There were no Red Raiders on this year’s preseason All-Big 12 team, which consisted of six members.  The closest were Mac McClung and Kyler Edwards who each earned honorable mention recognition.

That’s fine.  Postseason accolades are all that truly matter.  And this year, three Red Raiders will find their way onto either the first or second-team all-conference lists when the dust settles.

Last year, Jahmi’us Ramsey was the only Red Raider to accomplish that feat as the Big 12 Freshman of the Year garnered second-team honors.  This year, that will change.

Terrence Shannon, Mac McClung, and Marcus Santos-Silva are the three players most likely to be either first or second-team all-conference this year.  But don’t count out the possibility that Edwards, Joel Ntambwe, or Kevin McCullar play their way onto one of the teams as well.

If Tech does put three players on the all-conference teams, it would equal what Baylor did a season ago.  And if Tech can mirror Baylor’s success from last year, we will be in for one fantastic ride in 2020-21.

So far, only 17 times has a Red Raider been first or second-team All-Big 12.  What’s more, the program has never had more than two players in one year on the first or second team.

But this is the most talented roster Tech has ever had.  The question isn’t whether or not the individual collection of skill is good enough but whether or not it can gel into a championship mold.

As we will get into momentarily, I believe that it will, and should that happen, Tech will be well represented on the all-conference lists.  That will make everyone forget about the slights from the preseason.