In the modern era of college athletics, there is almost no time for teams to reflect on a season once it comes to an end. That's because the process of building next season's roster begins immediately, thanks to the timing of the transfer portal. Therefore, the Texas Tech basketball program has almost certainly moved on to recruiting new Red Raiders despite the fact that we are less than 48 hours removed from the gut-wrenching 84-79 loss to No. 1 seed Florida in the Elite Eight.
In fact, in his postgame press conference Saturday night, head coach Grant McCasland even talked about what he'll look for as he puts together his third team in Lubbock.
"Yeah, I'm thankful -- I'm just thankful that this group of guys," he said, "I think, did get a taste and did get to see what it means to really love your teammates the way that I think God tells us to give everything we have. And I mean it. Like, how do you give everything you have? How do you lay down your life? How do you sacrifice for other people? How do you love other people in a real way? And I think that's what builds from year to year.
"And I believe that's the heart of the guys that we have, and that's what will be the most important part of these rosters is that heart, and we'll be able to do it with the guys that we'll have returning because of it."
While there is no question that finding players who have the right attitude and personalities for the program will be imperative, there are other factors that Tech must consider as the coaching staff hits the transfer portal over the next few weeks. So let's look at what type of players the Red Raiders need to add in order to remain nationally relevant.
Texas Tech needs to get bigger
The top priority for this program will be adding size to the roster. While that should start in the frontcourt, it also needs to be the case on the perimeter.
This year, Tech got away with having only two players over 6-foot-6, JT Toppin (6-foot-7) and Federiko Federiko (6-foot-11). However, that isn't the best way to try to win a National Championship.
For instance, consider the teams playing in this weekend's Final Four. Duke has the tallest roster in the country in terms of average height per player. Auburn has three players 6-foot-7 or taller in their rotation, including two over 6-foot-10. Florida has three players in its rotation who are over 6-foot-10. Houston isn't necessarily a tall team, but they have three forwards who are at least 6-foot-8 and 230 pounds.
This offseason, Tech could lose Toppin to the NBA and Federiko to graduation if he doesn't seek a waiver for an extra year of eligibility since he started his college career in the JUCO ranks. If that happens, adding three or four frontcourt players will be a must. And even if Toppin or Federiko return, Tech has to get bigger down low.
Don't overlook the importance of getting bigger at the guard and wing spots, too. Tech featured only two guards or wings this year (Darrion Williams and Kevin Overton), who were 6-foot-5 or taller.
Adding more length on the perimeter would help make next season's team tougher defensively in the mold of Duke or Houston, two of the best defensive teams in recent memory. So, regardless of where it is on the court, Tech has to get bigger and longer this offseason.
Texas Tech needs to add a pure point guard
One of the biggest losses the program will suffer this offseason will be point guard Elijah Hawkins. This season, he set a Texas Tech single-season record with 226 assists. That led the Big 12.
Over the course of the season, he averaged 6.5 assists per game, the second-highest total of his college career. Now, Tech must find someone else who can set up teammates.
Sure, Christian Anderson is expected to return, and he is capable of running the offense. However, he is a score-first guard who might be best playing off the ball given his ability to hit shots from deep. What's more, this season, he averaged just 2.2 assists per game, proving that he isn't a pure point guard.
Meanwhile, replacing Hawkins' on-ball defense will also be important. As the season progressed, he made huge strides as a defender, and by the time the NCAA Tournament rolled around, he was tasked with guarding the opposition's top guard (especially since Chance McMillian was sidelined for the first three games).
Hawkins led Tech in steals this year with 1.5 per game. Thus, he will be missed on both ends of the court.
Tech must find another player who can run the offense and get others involved while also guarding the ball on the other end. That will certainly be a priority before next season begins.
Texas Tech must find more 3-point shooting
Finally, adding more 3-point shooting will be a must. That's because the team is losing McMillian, Kerwin Walton, and Hawkins.
Those three finished first, third, and fourth on the team in terms of 3-point makes this season. Between them, they accounted for 188 of the team's 338 makes from beyond the arc in 2024-25. That's 55.6%.
What's more, in terms of 3-point shooting percentage, McMillian and Walton finished first and second, respectively, among the players in the regular rotation. McMillian shot 43.3% and Walton shot 39.6%.
While Anderson should provide plenty of outside shooting next year (he tied McMillian with 71 3-point makes and shot 38% this season), the offense that assistant coach Jeff Linder has designed needs multiple outside shooters to make it work most efficiently.
Therefore, the Red Raiders are certainly going to look for 3-point shooters when trying to bring in guards to fill the shoes of the three seniors who are graduating. In 2024-25, Tech set a program record in made 3s, and finding players who can light it up from deep next season will be imperative if the coaching staff is going to continue to use the same offensive philosophy.