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September 28th,
2006
By Joel
Welser
Broadcast Basketball
Texas Tech
Red Raiders
Overall Rank:
#42
Conference
Rank: #5 Big 12
2005-06:
15-17, 6-10, 7th (t)
2005-06
postseason: none
 Texas
Tech and Coach Bob Knight had high expectations last year
with the qualifier that if things didn’t quite work out, next
year would be better. Well, last year didn’t go so well and now
it is time for this year. The team chemistry appeared to be the
main issue for the Red Raiders and the TTU faithful hope a
little summer cleaning will take care of that problem.
Who’s Out:
The
high expectations for this year started when everybody noticed
that there were no seniors on the roster last year. However,
with five transfers, there will be some more chemistry issues to
deal with, but overall, this group is hoped to fit into that
addition by subtraction category. The Raiders lived without
Drew Coffman, Terry Martin, Jeremy Buttell and Dazzmond Thornton
most of last year, so dealing with those loses will not have a
big effect. Dior Lowhorn averaged 7.2 points and 3.9 rebounds
as a freshman and could have made a big impact if he stuck
around Lubbock.
Who’s In:
The
frontcourt was worrisome at best during the 2005-2006 season and
four experienced options will be added to the mix this year.
Damir Suljagic missed last year after earning four starts in
2004-2005 as a freshman. Suljagic is athletic and has plenty of
potential to compete for big minutes this year. Jay Mitchell
spent three seasons pitching in the Colorado Rockies
organization and will now bring his 6-8, 235 pound frame to
Texas Tech. Mitchell got back into the hoops mindset last year
at Gulf Coast Community College and will battle with the rest of
the new guys for minutes at the four and five. Rogdrick Craig,
the son of former 49er great Roger Craig, averaged 21.2 points
and 7.4 boards at San Jose City College in California last year
and could back up both forward spots this year. Esmir Rizvic
has Tech fans the most excited. The 7-footer will give the Red
Raiders a big post presence who has experience at the juco
level. Small forward Justin Wilkerson redshirted last year and
is expected to be in the mix off the bench. A lot of pressure
will be put on point guard Charlie Burgess. The junior college
transfer will be asked to run the point and if there are major
problems at that position, TTU may end up in some trouble.
Benny Valentine will battle for some minutes at the point as
well, but isn’t expected to make a huge contribution right
away. Shooting guard Decensae White may end up being the best
of the bunch of newcomers. The 6-5 wing is a solid defender and
will never be faulted for lacking effort. White’s shot is a
little streaky, but the freshman has some time to work on that
before he’ll be asked to contribute too much.
Who to Watch:
Jarrius Jackson and Martin Zeno are an underappreciated group in
the backcourt. Jackson averaged 20.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.9
assists and 1.7 steals last year and his name will be known by
March unless there is another poor year for Tech. Zeno added on
13.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.4 steals…and that
while battling injuries. If Zeno improves as an upperclassman
and shakes off the nagging injuries, those two alone will win
some games for Coach Knight. Alan Voskuil and LucQuente White
have experience and will be solid options off the bench.
Final
Projection:
The forwards are
led by Darryl Dora and Jon Plefka. Dora averaged 7.6 points and
4.6 boards last year and will hope to put up bigger numbers
during his senior campaign. Plefka proved to be a force under
the basket during his first year in Lubbock. The 6-8, 245 pound
power forward averaged 6.2 points and 4.1 boards last year after
stints at James Madison, Vermont to play baseball and Santa Fe
Community College in Florida. The talent is there, but once
again, there are a lot of new faces that need to quickly come
together as a team. It didn’t happen last year, but Coach
Knight couldn’t let such a disappointing campaign happen two
years in a row.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
NCAA
Projected
Starting Five:
Charlie Burgess,
Junior, Guard, DNP last season
Jarrius Jackson,
Senior, Guard, 20.5 points per game
Martin Zeno,
Junior, Guard, 13.7 points per game
Darryl Dora,
Senior, Forward, 7.6 points per game
Esmir Rizvic,
Junior, Center, DNP last season
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