Texas Tech basketball: Potential starting lineups after a busy offseason

Option 3: McCullar, Shannon, Wilson, Obanor Williams

Aside from Clarence Nadolny, who is likely to remain a role player this year, the closest the Red Raiders have to a traditional point guard is Louisiana transfer Mylik Wilson.  And for that reason, the 6-foot-3 guard might have a shot at earning a starting role.

The Louisiana native averaged 12.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.2 boards per game last season.  But he did turn the ball over 2.8 times per game, which is more than you want out of a primary ball-handler.

Part of his turnover proclivity could be the fact that Louisiana asked quite a bit from Wilson.  His usage rate was 21.4% which was higher than all but two members of Tech’s regular rotation from a season ago.  Perhaps with more talent around him, he might be more in control as he would not feel like he had to do it all.

At 35.8% in 2021-22, Wilson is a respectable 3-point shooter.  But he averaged just one made 3 per game and he attempted only 2.8 per game.  Thus, no one is going to confuse him for Davide Moretti anytime soon.

Of course, McCullar and Shannon (29.3% and 35.7% respectively from 3-point range last season) are allowed to improve as outside shooters and their ability to do so will be one of the keys to next season’s success.  And should they prove capable of taking that part of their games to a higher level, they would help make Mark Adams’ lineup decisions easier.

But regardless of what the others do this summer, don’t be shocked if Wilson plays his way into the starting five.  His game is a more natural fit with our four assumed starters and he’s accustomed to handling the ball quite a bit for his team. However, we must still consider the possibility that the fifth starter is yet to join this roster.