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Texas Tech basketball: 5 Red Raiders we can’t wait to see in action

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - JANUARY 08: Center Daniel Batcho #4 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders dunks the ball during the first half of the college basketball game against the Kansas Jayhawks at United Supermarkets Arena on January 08, 2022 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - JANUARY 08: Center Daniel Batcho #4 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders dunks the ball during the first half of the college basketball game against the Kansas Jayhawks at United Supermarkets Arena on January 08, 2022 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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Nov 9, 2021; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns guard Jaylon Tyson (20) reacts after scoring during the second half against the Houston Baptist Huskies at Frank C. Erwin Jr. Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2021; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns guard Jaylon Tyson (20) reacts after scoring during the second half against the Houston Baptist Huskies at Frank C. Erwin Jr. Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports /

Sophomore Jaylon Tyson

If there is one player on this roster that Texas Tech fans could pick to become a star, it would likely be Jaylon Tyson.  That’s because the sophomore is one of the central figures in the divorce between the Texas Tech basketball program and former head coach Chris Beard.

Remember that Tyson was a long-time Texas Tech verbal commit until April 2021 when Beard jumped ship to Texas.  Shortly thereafter, Tyson de-committed from Tech and joined Beard in Austin.  At that time, many thought that Tech’s program was in a freefall and that Tyson’s decision was a sign that the sky was falling.

However, Tyson didn’t find life with Beard all he imagined it to be.  Playing only eight games for the Horns, he averaged just 6.9 minutes and 1.8 points per game. Those numbers aren’t necessarily a statement on his abilities as a player but rather a result of Texas being a veteran team that was loaded with upperclassmen at guard and wing spots thus limiting the playing time Tyson was able to receive.

With his path to serious playing time blocked, Tyson hit the transfer portal before the end of the 2021 fall semester and it didn’t take long for him to recommit to Texas Tech.  In fact, he joined the Red Raiders for the spring 2022 semester meaning he’s spent nearly a full calendar year in the Tech program.

Now, that experience could pay off.  Tyson is going to have an opportunity to prove capable of being one of Tech’s key players.  He’s supposed to have a strong outside shot as well as the ability to get to the rim, the latter of which is something that this year’s team might be a bit short on.

However, the reason Texas Tech fans can’t wait to see Tyson in action is the fact that he picked Tech over Chris Beard and if Tyson were to develop into an all-conference performer, it would likely stick in Beard’s craw just a bit.  Already a fan favorite for spurning the Horns and their hated leader, Tyson has a chance to be one of the more popular players in the recent history of Tech hoops.  All he has to do is produce on the court.

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