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#21 Texas Tech Red
Raiders
Big 12
2004-05: 22-11,
10-6, 4th
2004-05 postseason:
NCAA
By
Joel Welser
It’s all about the
system under Coach Bob Knight at
Texas Tech. Despite losing Ronald Ross, the teams leading
scorer last year, there is plenty of talent to fit into the
system. Another 20 win season is in store for the fans in
Lubbock, who have turned United Spirit Arena into one of the
most dangerous places to play in the country.
Who’s Out:
Ronald Ross started his career as a walk-on and ended it leading
the team with 17.5 points per game. Ross tacked on 5.5 boards,
3.0 assists and 2.6 steals. The loss of Devonne Giles leaves a
hole in the frontcourt. The forward averaged 11.3 points and a
team high 6.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks. Curtis Marshall started
12 games, but saw most of his action coming off the bench.
During his senior campaign the guard averaged 6.7 points.
Little used Joey Hawkins has also exhausted his eligibility.
Who’s In: Terry
Martin is the star of the class. The 6-5 shooting guard will
fight for a starting job on the wing. Forward Dior Lowhorn is
an explosive athlete with a decent shot. He is a bit undersized
at 6-6 to play the power forward, but he’ll compete with fellow
newcomer Jon Plefka for the starting job. Plefka, a transfer
from Santa Fe (FL) Community College, is more of a true post
player. No matter who starts, both should earn some quality
minutes. The forward spot becomes more crowded with the
addition of Justin Wilkerson, Michael Prince, Dazzmond Thornton
and Jeremy Buttell. Wilkerson can play either forward spot.
His strength is on the perimeter on the offensive end, but on
the other side of the court he can block anything that comes
into the paint. Prince wasn’t a highly touted recruit, but he’s
a smart player who could develop into a big time player under
Coach Knight. Thornton is another undersized power forward, but
he has a wide body and is becoming a scoring threat in the
post. Buttell isn’t the most talented player in the class, but
his intensity should earn him a chance for some quality
minutes. Alan Voskuil rounds out the long list of newcomers.
The 6-3 shooting guard isn’t expected to make a huge
contribution, but could develop into a nice player before his
career at Texas Tech is over.
Who to Watch:
Jarrius Jackson and Martin Zeno return to the backcourt.
Jackson averaged 15.3 points and 3.5 assists as a sophomore last
year and is the lone returning long ball threat. Zeno had an
incredible freshman campaign averaging 12.5 points, 3.4 assists
and 4.2 boards. He’ll only get better with a year of experience
under his belt.
Projected
Conference Rank: Another deep run in the NCAAs is feasible.
The frontcourt will need to find an offensive replacement for
Devonne Giles and the defense will have to find a replacement
for Ronald Ross. With the newcomers, the depth down low is
better than it has been in a while and that should help the Red
Raiders become a better rebounding team. Last year the
rebounding margin was -0.6; just ninth in the conference. A 3rd
place finish in the conference will get Coach Knight his 20 wins
again and earn Tech a trip back to the NCAA Tournament.
Projected
Post-season Tournament: NCAA
Projected Starting
Five:
Jarrius Jackson,
Junior, Guard, 15.3 points per game
Martin Zeno,
Sophomore, Guard, 12.5 points per game
Terry Martin,
Freshman, Forward, DNP last season
Dior Lowhorn,
Freshman, Forward, DNP last season
Darryl Dora, Junior,
Forward, 6.2 points per game
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