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Texas Tech basketball: Three things Red Raiders must add this offseason

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 16: Flames shoot up during player introductions before the college basketball game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders the Baylor Bears at United Supermarkets Arena on February 16, 2022 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 16: Flames shoot up during player introductions before the college basketball game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders the Baylor Bears at United Supermarkets Arena on February 16, 2022 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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Mar 20, 2022; San Diego, CA, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Bryson Williams (11) celebrates after scoring in the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2022; San Diego, CA, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Bryson Williams (11) celebrates after scoring in the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

Tech must replace some serious size this offseason

Imagine what Tech will be facing if Kevin Obanor doesn’t return for his super-senior season.  That would mean that the Red Raiders will lose Bryson Williams, Marcus Santos-Silva, and Obanor, their three primary forwards, in one offseason.

But regardless if Obanor returns, Tech must get bigger than they are right now because currently, the only player over 6-foot-7 set to return for 2022-23 is 7-footer Daniel Batcho and he may not be ready to play 20 minutes per game next season.

This year, Tech was only fifth in the Big 12 in total rebounds per game at 36.4.  That was good for just 105th-best in the nation.  And with the loss of Williams and Santos-Silva, Tech is losing 8.3 boards per contest.  If Obanor doesn’t return, that number jumps to 13.8.

Thus, Tech could be in the market for two big men this year.  That could include Fardaws Aimaq, who we recently profiled.  Also, keep an eye on another West Virginia Mountaineer, Isaiah Cottrell.  Just a second-year collegiate this past season, the 6-foot-10 forward oozes potential and could be a fit in Lubbock.

In recent years, it has become commonplace for Tech to add at least one big man to the mix via the transfer portal.  This past offseason, Tech brought in Williams, Batcho, and Obanor, and the year prior, it was Santos-Silva who came to Lubbock after three years at VCU.

In 2019, Tech landed T.J. Holyfield from SFA.  And of course, the year before that, the Red Raiders added Tariq Owens who then proceeded to set the program’s single-season shot-block record.

Who will be the next big man to call Lubbock home after playing elsewhere in his college career?  That question is worth asking because the Red Raiders are in the market for another big man or two again this offseason.

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