Moments ago, the Texas Tech basketball program announced that starting guard Chance McMillian will not play Saturday vs. West Virginia. That could make it tough to find points against the team that gives up the second-fewest per game in the Big 12.
In Tuesday's 69-66 loss to TCU in Fort Worth, McMillian was observed hobbling at times but he still finished the game scoring 19 points and grabbing four rebounds. He was 5-7 from 3-point range for the game.
However, as the media interviewed head coach Grant McCasland at practice on Thursday, McMillian was seen in a protective walking boot. When asked about McMillian's status, McCasland was vague but indicated that the program is taking every precaution with its players this time of the year to ensure that all are ready to go for the postseason, which is just a few weeks away.
Without McMillian on the floor, Tech will not only be missing its third-leading scorer (15.1 points per game) and its best 3-point weapon (45.4%) but also its best defensive guard. That's not ideal considering that West Virginia features the Big 12's second-leading scorer, Javon Small, a junior guard who averages 18.3 points per game.
Texas Tech’s injury report for today’s game with West Virginia. pic.twitter.com/kZHcqElPBs
— A David Collier (@CollieronTV) February 22, 2025
The good news is that Tech has already won games when missing important pieces this season. Tech went 3-1 without leading scorer and rebounder JT Toppin when he missed most of December with a lower leg injury and beat Houston in Houston when Toppin was ejected four minutes into that game. What's more, the Red Raiders were able to beat TCU 71-57 without second-leading scorer, Darrion Williams, in the lineup when the teams met in Lubbock in January.
Without McMillian available to play, more will be needed from freshman guard Christian Anderson, who is likely to get the start. This year, he's averaging 9.6 points per game but he's coming off one of his worst outings of the season.
Against TCU on Tuesday night, Anderson scored only five points while turning the ball over four times and fouling out in 29 minutes of action. Today, he must be better than that. Also, players like Kerwin Walton and Kevin Overton will have to pick up the slack against the Mountaineers.
Additionally, this development makes it questionable as to whether McMillian will be able to play Monday night in Lubbock when the Houston Cougars come to town for ESPN's Big Monday. The last time Tech played the Cougars, McMillian scored 23 points and had five rebounds as the Red Raiders upset Houston on the road.
Hopefully, the rest of the guards on the roster can step up today and lead Tech to a win at home while allowing McMillian to rest. Certainly, this team will need him for the stretch run so being cautious with any injury is understandable. However, going into any Big 12 game without such an important player is never ideal.