Texas Tech’s JT Toppin makes his entrance previous to a non-conference basketball sport, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at United Supermarkets Area. No. 10 Texas Tech has the Massive 12 Preseason Participant of the 12 months in JT Toppin and the Massive 12 Preseason Newcomer of the 12 months in LeJuan Watts.
Whether or not the expertise and early accolades translate right into a convention title is as much as coach Grant McCasland and his employees.
Texas Tech earned a No. 3 NCAA Match seed and made a run to the Elite Eight final spring. With a equally formidable staff in tow, the Crimson Raiders will open the brand new season Tuesday in opposition to visiting Lindenwood in Lubbock, Texas.
Toppin, a multitalented ahead, was a second-team All-American and earned preseason All-American recognition this fall after averaging 18.2 factors and 9.4 rebounds in his first season at Texas Tech. The Crimson Raiders additionally introduced again fourth-leading scorer Christian Anderson, who had 10.6 factors per sport and shot 38% from 3-point distance as a freshman.
Darrion Williams, Probability McMillian and Elijah Hawkins have been amongst those that left both because of commencement or a switch, however McCasland used the portal to his profit as properly. Watts, specifically, stands out on the wing. After his freshman yr at Japanese Washington, he carried out even higher at Washington State (13.7 ppg, 6.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 42.2% from deep).
In line with his new coach, Watts’ influence is seen not simply on paper, however on the apply ground.
“Being round LeJuan Watts, his ardour for this, his really feel for the sport … being round him and (seeing) how a lot he actually needs to be nice each day,” McCasland mentioned this offseason. “You recognize in recruiting him that they have an effect chance due to our place. He is such a flexible participant that we felt like he wanted to be concerned.
“He would not simply like it; he lives it each day.”
Different switch names to know in Lubbock embrace Donovan Atwell (13.3 ppg at UNC Greensboro final season) and Tyeree Bryan (10.4 ppg, 42.9% 3-point capturing at Santa Clara).
Texas Tech was picked third within the Massive 12 preseason coaches’ ballot and second by the media. The Crimson Raiders nonetheless should overcome defending champion and title favourite Houston.
They received 23 and 28 video games in McCasland’s first two seasons, however there is no resting on their laurels in Lubbock.
“I believe we have simply put collectively the correct mix of offensive gamers, the place our largest areas (to enhance), and we have made this very clear from the start, is simply how a lot better can we get defensively,” McCasland mentioned this week. “… I simply know we have to enhance on the defensive aspect of the ball considerably if we will get the place we wish to get.”
Lindenwood has spent three seasons in Division I to date and posted its finest report as a program in that point final yr, going 16-17 and 10-10 within the Ohio Valley Convention. The Lions have been tied with Morehead State for fifth within the 11-team league’s preseason ballot voted on by head coaches and sports activities data administrators.
The Lions are hoping for continued progress this season. They hosted Southern Illinois for an exhibition sport this week and pushed the larger faculty earlier than falling 86-76. Middle Milos Nenadic, a switch from Maine, led all scorers with 21 factors on 10-of-14 capturing together with 5 assists.
“I believed our guys actually battled and did job,” coach Kyle Gerdeman advised Lindenwood’s athletics web site. “I believe we made progress from the final day out and I believe we received higher from the place we have been every week in the past.”
Lindenwood will probably be aided by the return of final yr’s prime two scorers, Anias Futrell (12.8 ppg) and Jadis Jones (12.5).
–Discipline Degree Media
