After one of the best seasons in nearly a decade last year, the Red Raiders fall back down to earth in 2018-2019. The losses of Keenan Evans, Zhaire Smith, and Zach Smith are very critical. But another freshman who returns is 6-5 Jarrett Culver. Tech also brings in a duo of talented grad transfers with Matt Mooney (South Dakota) and Tariq Owens (St. John’s). For this year, Owens is expected to be a role player to come off the bench and create a spark, but with Zhaire and Zach both out of Lubbock, he has a chance to compete for the starting spot. Due to lack of experience, for now I’ll say he grabs the 4 spot. Mooney should take over for Keenan Evans and be the starting PG for the season.
Mooney is a scorer around the rim and mid range shooter. He averaged 18.7 PPG, 4.1 RPG, and 3.1 APG while shooting 35% from 3. In order to take his game to the next level, Mooney’s going to need to add a 3 point shot this season in a much tougher conference in the Big 12. Senior Guard Brandone Francis should be the go to guard to come off the bench to compliment Mooney or Culver. Norense Odiase is expected to start at the 5. Freshman Khavon Moore and Josh Mballa are both solid forwards that could be either battling for some minutes or will be redshirted this year. But with the lack of depth, they both may not be redshirted. All in all, this is an experienced Tech team, but unlike Kansas State, they don’t have a proven #1 yet. Mooney could be that, Culver could be that as well, but nothing is for sure yet for the Red Raiders.
Notable Non-Conference Games:
November, 19th- USC (Hall of Fame Classic)
November, 20th- Nebraska/Missouri State (Hall of Fame Classic)
December, 20th- Duke (New York)
January, 26th- Arkansas (SEC/Big 12 Challenge)
Tech start out with 4 games against RPI 250+ teams until they head to Kansas City to face USC and after that will either face the winner/loser of Nebraska/Missouri State. They continue their soft non-con as 3 of their next 4 games against RPI 200+ before traveling half way across the country to face #4 Duke in New York. This is by far their marquee matchup of the non-conference slate squaring off against Zion Williamson, R.J Barrett, Cam Reddish, Marques Bolden and all the other 4 and 5 stars they have. As usual on January 26th, Tech gets their one and only big game at home as they face former SWC foe, Arkansas as part of the SEC/Big 12 Challenge. I think Tech can go 2-2 and potentially 3-1 out of these 4 games that have been highlighted.
Projected Starting Lineup:
PG: Matt Mooney (Sr.)
SG: Jarrett Culver (So.)
SF: Brandone Francis (Sr.)
PF: Tariq Owens (Sr.)
C: Norense Odiase (Sr.)
Projected Finish: NCAA Tournament, 2nd Round
