Texas Tech has brought in plenty of young big men over the past decade but almost all of them have left before being able to realize their full potential. That list includes Malik Ondigo, Josh Mballa, Daniel Batcho, and Russel Tchewa.
However, the most painful to lose, at least in hindsight, was Vlad Goldin. That's because the 7-foot-1 native of Russia has become a very good basketball player since leaving Lubbock.
At Tech in 2020-21, he played only sparingly. Appearing in only 10 games, he often looked timid and overwhelmed as he made the transition to the Big 12.
However, at Florida Atlantic, he has become a beast on the blocks. This past season, he averaged 15.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game for the Owls. Of course, in 2022-23, he helped get that program to the Final Four by posting 10.2 points and 6.5 boards per game. That included a 14-point, 13-rebound effort in the Elite 8.
Meanwhile, Texas Tech has struggled to find quality depth at the center position in recent years. Goldin could have certainly helped in that regard.
Now, the former Red Raider is also a former Owl as he's followed his FAU head coach, Dusty May, to Michigan. It will be interesting to see what he will do in the Big 10 but not as interesting to see what he could have done in the scarlet and black of Texas Tech.