We continue our recruit and return series with the Texas Tech Red Raiders, whose season ended Thursday with a loss to Butler in the first round. A look at what the 2016-17 season could hold:
Possible 2016-17 starting five (statistics reflect regular season average)
G: Keenan Evans (8.9 PPG, 2.8 APG)
G/F: Justin Gray (8.6 PPG, 3.6 RPG)
F: Aaron Ross (10.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG)
F: Zach Smith (10.0 PPG, 7.2 RPG)
C: Norense Odiase (8.7 PPG, 4.2 RPG)
Who is lost: Tubby Smith won Big 12 Coach of the Year honors for his work with this team, but he’ll be losing his top two scorers heading into next season. Toddrick Gotcher was once a highly touted recruit, and he began to live up to the hype as a senior. He was one of the best 3-point shooters in the Big 12, and also improved his playmaking ability. Gotcher was flanked in the backcourt by 6-foot-4 guard Devaugntah Williams, another double-figure scorer. Williams saw his shooting percentages take a dip from last season, but he was a capable bucket-getter who really played well early in the season. Gotcher and Williams were the go-to-guys when the Red Raiders needed a basket; who will take that title?
Who is added: Texas Tech is only adding one recruit next season. Keon Clergeot is a 6-foot-1 point guard who put up big numbers as a high school junior and parlayed that into an offer from Texas Tech. He eventually committed to Smith and the Red Raiders last October, choosing them over the likes of VCU, Stephen F. Austin and Chattanooga. Expect him to provide depth in the backcourt behind Keenan Evans and Devon Thomas.
What it means for next season: Gotcher and Williams are tough losses, but everyone else is back from a team that went .500 in the Big 12 -- and Smith will hope the team stays healthy the entire season. The frontcourt will be Texas Tech’s strength. Aaron Ross didn’t start a single game this past season, providing a huge boost off the bench, but the team will need his scoring next season. He’s an inside-outside threat who is capable of carrying the Red Raiders for stretches on offense. Six-foot-eight Zach Smith was a marathon man for Texas Tech this season, hitting the 39-minute mark in five of the final 10 regular season games. He’s also a double-double threat on the inside. Norense Odiase missed a large part of Big 12 play with a foot injury, but he was solid when healthy. Matthew Temple did a good job in his place. Justin Gray is another strong body, but he can step out and make perimeter shots. In the backcourt, Keenan Evans returns at the point guard spot; he will likely have to take on more of a scoring role next season. Devon Thomas will push for more minutes.
Trending: Level. Smith did a tremendous job with this team in 2015-16. Can he work his magic again next season? The talent level isn’t the same as some of the other Big 12 teams that reached the postseason, but Smith had the Red Raiders competitive every night. The entire frontcourt is back, but they’ll need to replace the scoring of Gotcher and Williams. Who will step up?