Texas Tech basketball: Red Raiders reportedly pursuing big-time Auburn transfer

It is being reported that the Texas Tech basketball program is pursuing Auburn transfer Justin Powell, who is just the type of player that this program is missing.

Though the Texas Tech basketball team is currently preparing for next week’s NCAA Tournament, there is always time for Chris Beard and Co. to start looking towards next season.  And it is being reported that the Red Raiders are interested in Auburn transfer guard Justin Powell.

According to Jake Weingarten of Stockrisers.com, a reputable college basketball recruiting website, Texas Tech is one of a number of programs that are courting the 6-foot-6 shooting guard.  Also reportedly having contacted Powell are Gonzaga, Kentucky, Louisville, UCLA, Pittsburgh, Texas, TCU, Washington State, and Oregon.  What’s more, that list is certain to continue to grow in the upcoming days and weeks.

As a freshman this year, the Kentucky native appeared in only ten games but averaged 11.7 points per game.  He scored 26 points in consecutive games against South Alabama and Memphis and was shooting 44.2% from 3-point range.

However, a serious concussion ended his season on January 2nd and now, he’s decided to look for new opportunities.  And perhaps Texas Tech would be the right fit for him.  Certainly, he would be a great first for the Red Raiders given that he would bring something to the roster that is currently lacking.

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This year, Texas Tech has struggled to find enough 3-point shooting.  In fact, the Red Raiders made the fewest 3-point field goals of any team in the Big 12 this season.

Powell averaged 1.9 made 3s per game in his brief run this year.  That’s more than any Red Raider made this season and it would be a huge boost to this program to add a sharpshooter of that caliber for next year should the NCAA grant athletes one transfer without penalty as has been widely rumored.

This season, Tech has been hurt by the loss of both Davide Moretti and Jahmi’us Ramsey, last season’s two top 3-point shooters.  Between them, that duo made 4.4 shots from deep per game with each making an average of 2.2.  This year, Tech’s top three 3-point shooters aver averaging just 4.5 per game.

But Powell isn’t just a shooter.  He averaged an impressive 6.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game prior to his injury as well.  He also averaged just short of one steal per contest.

As a recruit, Powell was the No. 185 player in the nation and the No. 3 player in Kentucky.  He picked Auburn over offers from the likes of Cincinnatti, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech, and Xavier.

Now, Texas Tech is one of his suitors as he looks for a new home.  And should he come to the South Plains, it would potentially fill one of the largest voids in the Texas Tech basketball program.