There is no time for Texas Tech basketball fans to turn their attention elsewhere despite the end of the 2024-25 season. That's because the college basketball offseason is just ramping up.
There was once a time when the end of the basketball season meant months of relative peace and quiet for college hoops fans. However, in the age of the transfer portal, that is no longer the case.
In fact, even before we had a Final Four set in the NCAA Tournament, players around the nation could put their names in the portal and start the process of seeking new homes and negotiating new NIL deals. Already, some impactful players have changed teams as the college basketball merry-go-round has begun to spin.
Right now, Texas Tech fans are in a wait-and-see mode. The two players that everyone in West Texas is waiting to hear from about their future plans are junior forward Darrion Williams and sophomore forward JT Toppin. Until those two dominoes fall, it will be tough for the Red Raiders to know exactly how to proceed with their talent acquisition plans.
One area, though, where the program can be certain that help will be needed is in the backcourt. Tech is losing three key guards, Chance McMillian, Elijah Hawkins, and Kerwin Walton, to graduation, and finding suitable replacements for each will be crucial.
This season, that trio combined to average 29.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game. They also averaged a combined 83.3 minutes per game, leaving a large void to fill. Therefore, news about potential transfer guards would not be surprising in the upcoming days and weeks.
With that in mind, let's take a look at important dates in the offseason that will impact how the Red Raiders and other programs around the nation attack the task of putting together next season's roster.
Important offseason dates for Texas Tech fans to know
April 7, 2025
The first date that fans should be aware of is right on the horizon. It is also a date that could forever alter the landscape of college athletics.
On April 7, 2025, Northern District of California judge Claudia Wilken will review and potentially approve a $2.8 billion settlement in the House v. NCAA lawsuit. If that settlement is approved, the days of universities being able to spend whatever they want on NIL payments to athletes will likely be over and revenue sharing between universities and athletes will begin on July 1, 2025.
Therefore, Tech and every other school in Division I might be motivated to try to orchestrate some deals with players in the portal in the next week to beat that deadline. So don't be surprised if there is a flurry of activity across the country in the next few days.
April 23, 2025
The next date to keep an eye on comes near the end of April. On the 23rd, the transfer portal window closes after opening on March 25.
Therefore, any Red Raider who will be seeking a new place to play will have to enter his name in the portal in the next three weeks or so. It will be interesting to see if a role player like Kevin Overton or a seldom-used player such as sophomore forward Eemeli Yalaho will test the waters.
However, few expect any of the most important players on the 2024-25 Texas Tech roster to test the portal waters. Still, it will be worth watching the activity until the 23rd because there could always be surprise entrants.
April 26, 2025
Just days after the portal closes, another important deadline arrives. On April 26, players who want to enter the NBA Draft as underclassmen must submit their names before midnight.
This will be a date that Tech fans may watch closely to see if Toppin or Williams decide to test the waters. But even if those Red Raider stars do explore that option, they will have the option of returning.
May 11-18, 2025
In mid-May, the NBA Draft Combine will take place. This is where college players from across the nation will meet with NBA teams and work out against other draft hopefuls. Perhaps no week of the offseason will be more informative for college players, as they will get tremendous input on where they stand in the eyes of NBA teams.
Last season, Toppin went through the NBA Draft after only one year of college basketball. Don't be shocked if he does the same this year as well.
June 15, 2025
Finally, the middle of June will bring an important deadline. By the 15th of that month, players with remaining eligibility who went through the draft process and combine must decide whether to keep their names in the NBA Draft or take them out so that they can return to the college ranks.
Therefore, if a player like Toppin or Williams decides to go through the draft process, it could be early summer before the Red Raiders know if he will return to school. Thus, we could be waiting for two and a half months to find out if one of the Red Raiders' key players will be back in Lubbock for next season.
So keep an eye on each of these important offseason dates because any of them could bring about important news for the Texas Tech basketball program. It will be a fascinating offseason and one that may not be settled until well into the summer months.