Texas Tech Red Raiders Men's Basketball Players

The Texas Tech Red Raiders men's basketball team features several key players who will contribute to this year's Big 12 Conference season. Here is a breakdown of each player's eligibility and how they can help this team this year.

In addition to the Masked Rider, Texas Tech also has a mascot named Raider Red. This cheerleader-mascot interacts with fans at Tech games by shaking hands and posing for pictures.

Daniel Batcho

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The Texas Tech Red Raiders are a college basketball team that competes in the Big 12 Conference under head coach Mark Adams. As of 2021-22 season, they have won 13 regular season conference titles and made 19 NCAA Tournament appearances.

They boast an impressive roster that includes a lot of young talent, such as sophomore guard KJ Allen who is expected to start at point guard this year. This group of players is key for the Texas Tech Red Raiders' success and should make it difficult for them to miss the NCAA Tournament this year.

Daniel Batcho, a talented sophomore, could be one of the top players in the Big 12. After having an impressive offseason behind him, he will have plenty of chances to shine this season even with elite transfer Fardaws Aimaq out injured for some time.

Batcho, a French native, has earned recognition as one of the top international big men to commit to college basketball. He finished two times runner-up at the U16 European Championship in 2018 and ranks second in Player Efficiency Rating for his age group.

His career with the Centre Federal du Basketball (CFBB) in Paris started when he was a youth player, and he helped them to a runner-up finish at the adidas Next Generation Tournament in Belgrade. A versatile athlete, he can defend, shoot and rebound with ease.

He is an adept passer, creating chances for others to score. In addition to his skill on the court, he's also a good teammate; his leadership has been an asset in helping teammates succeed both on and off the court.

KJ Allen

At the tender age of three, KJ Allen began playing basketball for his family's enjoyment in Los Angeles, California. His dad also played basketball and KJ developed an enthusiasm for the game that would later earn him offers from top colleges such as Western Kentucky, Washington State, Texas Christian University, Oregon State, Rutgers-San Diego State Southern Methodist New Mexico Loyola Marymount Fresno State and University of South California - all division-class institutions.

He spent two years at East Los Angeles College, where his freshman season saw him average 18.5 points and 9.3 rebounds. As the two-time Los Angeles Player of the Year and three-star recruit according to 247Sports rankings, his performance earned him recognition.

On Tuesday, Allen announced his intent to join Texas Tech as a junior college player in 2020/21. This comes despite having committed to USC for four years in advance; after having an impressive 2021 JUCO season as one of the top recruits in his class at Westchester High School and being named Los Angeles Player of the Year, Allen looks set for another successful college career.

The 6-4 freshman has seen limited action during his first 21 games, but has recently been thrust into more of a leadership role after starting point guard Pop Isaacs (ankle) missed three consecutive games. He's now averaging 3.3 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game while playing 15.5 minutes per contest.

KJ Allen may not be a star player yet, but his performance this season has already yielded six games with at least two steals and an impressive 57.1 percent shooting percentage from three-point range. If his progress continues to accelerate, he could become an invaluable part of Texas Tech's rotation.

He's demonstrated a commanding presence on the court, capable of finishing at the rim or defending pick-and-rolls to score off the dribble. A versatile and hardworking player who can play both point and small forward positions, He has demonstrated great potential.

Knight has been an integral part of a Red Raider team that has won 126 games during his six years with the program, including two NCAA Tournament appearances. He is an incredibly talented and skilled player with an exciting future ahead of him at this elite institution.

Fardaw Aimaq

Fardaws Aimaq is an impressive big man that Texas Tech University is actively recruiting. A former four-star recruit from Steveston-London Secondary School, Fardaws had an outstanding season last year - earning himself the WAC Defensive Player of the Year and ranking among top 20 nationally with 27 double-doubles during his sophomore campaign.

He has been an impressive presence in the paint this season, averaging 10.0 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. As the first transfer added to Texas Tech since redshirt sophomore Daniel Batcho arrived, Aimaq could provide another strong presence at the rim for them.

Aimaq is an incredibly versatile player for Texas Tech that can be utilized in several ways. He can be a rim protector in the paint or an outside threat when needed, plus he helps out on the post or on the glass. Aimaq possesses excellent shot blocking skills as well as being an accurate shooter from three point range.

At Utah Valley University, Aimaq earned the title of Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year and finished among the top five nationally in defensive rebounds. He was an impressive passer on court, an adept ball handler, and a gifted athlete all-around.

The Red Raiders are a great team, but they need depth on the interior. Aimaq would be an ideal candidate for this role due to his experience and versatility - exactly what Mark Adams loves seeing on the court!

He had an outstanding junior season at Utah Valley, averaging 18.9 points and 13.6 rebounds per game. He was an integral part of their successful season and helped them win the WAC last year.

Aimaq is widely regarded as one of the best big men in America, so it will be exciting to see if he makes a decision on where to play next season. He has been approached by numerous schools including Gonzaga, Washington, Iowa and Kentucky; hopefully making the right choice allows for him to reach new heights with Texas Tech at his side.

Kevin Obanor

Kevin Obanor, a 6-8, 235-pound small forward from Houston, has been the star player on this team. He's averaging 15.4 points and 6.3 rebounds per game as well as 10.4 field-goal attempts and 4.4 free-throw attempts. Although his efficiency has decreased slightly since Big 12 play began, he remains an intimidating presence on offense.

Obanor has been an integral part of the Red Raiders' run to the Sweet 16. In six consecutive NCAA Tournament games, he has scored at least 10 points in every contest.

Obanor has been the star player on this team, but he's just one of many talented individuals Texas Tech has at their disposal. With eight starters averaging more than three points per game and plenty of depth elsewhere, the Red Raiders have been able to maintain an even balance this season.

When Texas Tech's most important player, forward Fardaw Aimaq, will return from injury? While it's uncertain when he'll be ready to resume playing a role on the court again, Aimaq could significantly impact Tech's trajectory as he did last season.

His presence is particularly crucial now, as Texas Tech embarks on a busy conference schedule that could determine its seed in the Big 12. Their first road trip will take them to Texas followed by home games against West Virginia and Oklahoma before travelling to TCU and Kansas before hosting Oklahoma State at home.

Tech has had a difficult stretch in the Big 12, losing each of its eight conference games thus far this season. This stretch could significantly impact their Big 12 Tournament seeding, so the Red Raiders must continue finding ways to stay competitive.

As starting point guard Pop Isaacs (ankle) missed his fifth straight game, freshman reserve Impact Washington was given his second start of the year in his place. The former Baylor standout had seen limited action off the bench in his previous five games but made a strong statement Monday against Baylor with two 3-pointers. If he wants to see more playing time while Isaacs is absent, Washington will need to see more action.

Missouri Tigers Men's Basketball Roster Revealed

First-year coach Dennis Gates has made significant changes to MU's roster, but some questions remain about this group's ability to win games in Columbia.

DeAndre Gholston, D'Moi Hodge, Noah Carter, Sean East and Nick Honor have yet to prove they are the apex predators that we had hoped for in Gates' inaugural season. Let us examine their performance against top-end competition to see if they can provide enough scoring for bigs to operate in the post and cutters to have room to roam.

DeAndre Gholston

Gholston, a graduate student, is an impressively big man who can overwhelm smaller defenders with his dribbling and catch-and-shoot jumper. In two seasons at Milwaukee he made 38 percent of his catch-and-shoot attempts while averaging 4.4 attempts per game and playing 16.7 minutes per game as a junior.

Last year, he experienced a dismal start to his career, averaging 14.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists on an 8-22 team. That was far removed from his freshman campaign when he averaged 14.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 23 minutes.

Gholston is an accomplished playmaker, boasting a powerful shot blocking game and sharp off-ball vision. Furthermore, his quick first step allows him to break into the paint against closeouts and initiate plays with ease.

On Saturday night against Tennessee, he came off the bench for the first time this season to score 16 points and lead Missouri to an 86-85 victory over the Volunteers in Knoxville. He started things off with an inbounds pass before hitting a clutch 3-point heave at the buzzer to help the Tigers comeback from a 17-point deficit.

Mizzou earned three victories against SEC competition this week, including a 68-66 triumph against LSU in the Orange Bowl Classic on Saturday. On Thursday in St. Louis for Braggin' Rights game #6, Missouri takes on Illinois for another victory.

Kobe Brown and Noah Carter have returned from injury, giving MU's starting lineup more depth than ever before. That has been a major factor in Missouri's success this season; it was especially evident Thursday when Missouri out-worked Illinois on defense and scored 33 of its 75 points off turnovers.

D’Moi Hodge

On Saturday night, the Missouri Tigers men's basketball roster was completed with D'Moi Hodge's commitment from Cleveland State. While head coach Dennis Gates continues to add players to his first roster, this latest addition should provide stability and fit well into the rest of the team's rotation.

Hodge, who spent two seasons playing for Gates at Cleveland State, adds some much needed versatility to Mizzou's guard rotation. His abilities as either shooting guard or small forward allow him to keep the floor open for other Mizzou big men in the paint.

Hodge is an impressive finisher at the rim. He shoots consistently off of the catch and has shown improvement in his jumpers this season. Furthermore, Hodge is a reliable rebounder - an invaluable asset for Tigers' front line which lacks size along the frontline.

Mizzou should consider playing at a faster tempo and pushing the ball more often, making this player an essential part of their rotation. He can score points and provide defense on the glass - two skills essential as they strive to improve their SEC record.

Hodge earned All-Horizon first team honors and was named Horizon Defensive Player of the Year during his senior season at CSU. In addition, he averaged 15.4 points on 48% shooting, 3.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 2.2 steals per game during that span. He earned himself All-Horizonon first team recognition as well as being named Horizon DPOTY.

Hodge is an important piece for the Tigers and if he stays healthy, he'll be a key cog in any rotation that wants to apply pressure and create fast breaks. His presence on defense will be crucial, so it's important for Hodge to stay healthy throughout his tenure with the team.

Noah Carter

Carter, a 6-foot-6 junior forward from Northern Iowa who committed to Missouri on Tuesday, is another addition to the Tigers' men's basketball roster. He chose MU over other finalists Arkansas, Florida, Marquette and Virginia Tech and will join MU in 2021-22.

He's an athletic wing player who can take some pressure off Kobe Brown as a scoring option. His style of play fits perfectly into coach Dennis Gates' system, which utilizes movement to create mismatches against slower or shorter players.

Noah Carter, a Missouri Valley Conference second-teamer this past season at Northern Iowa, has the potential to be an impact player for the Tigers. He's an impressive scorer and rebounder with versatility to play various positions. With such potential, Carter should have plenty of opportunities in the Tigers' offense.

The 6'8", 250-pounder has the potential to be an impact double team player in the post. With a new coaching staff and more teammates vying for his attention, he could see his scoring and rebounding averages improve from last year's numbers.

Carter had an impressive season at UNI, averaging 15 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. He's considered one of the top wing players in the Missouri Valley Conference with his ability to shoot from three-point range, making him a frequent threat during postgame offense last year.

He needs to improve his shooting percentage from the field and efficiency from beyond the arc, but he already has a solid foundation which should make him an immediate contributor on offense for Missouri this season. Furthermore, his presence on both ends of the floor - both offensively and defensively - should prove beneficial this season for Missouri.

Mosley, a Rock Bridge graduate who scored 30 or more points six times last season, gives the Tigers an offensive powerhouse with plenty of potential. As a shifty ball-handler and capable isolation player, Mosley could be crucial in SEC games against some of the league's top defenders.

Sean East

This season, the Missouri Tigers men's basketball roster features many new faces. Head coach Dennis Gates has plenty of options to choose from but also includes a few familiar names in his rotation - one being Sean East.

East is a veteran player, having spent the past two seasons at mid-major institutions. He began last season at John A. Logan College after spending a prep season at Combine Academy, his freshman year at UMass and his sophomore year at Bradley.

He may not be the most dynamic point guard on the Missouri Tigers men's Basketball roster, but he is a ball-dominant player with an excellent shot creation ability and high IQ. Additionally, he's an adept ball handler who will initiate sets, search for midrange opportunities and spread the floor as a shooter.

There are a couple of issues with his game that could hinder his progression to a higher level, but there are also some positives to note. One such positive is his 3-point shooting; at Logan he made 41 percent of his threes, an impressive increase over his career average.

Another strength is his passing skills. He ranked fourth among JUCO students in assists per game and led the Minutemen with 34 total steals, an impressive feat!

He's got an excellent chance at becoming a scoring threat in the SEC. Not only is he an excellent pick-and-roll option, but also has the versatility to play off the ball as a combo guard. Coach Gates certainly has his work cut out for him with this exciting prospect on his hands.

Nick Honor

Nick Honor, a former Clemson guard who transferred to Missouri last month, will serve as the backup point guard behind Sean East and give Dennis Gates two ball handlers in the rotation.

Last season, Honor averaged 7.7 points, 2.4 assists and 1.4 rebounds in 25.5 minutes for Clemson. He also shot 3 of 9 from 3-point range in two ACC Tournament games.

His two seasons at Clemson haven't seen him develop into the best 3-point shooter in the nation, but he remains a reliable spot-up jumper with an offensive rating well above average. In 2018, his average of 0.911 points per possession placed him in the 68th percentile nationally and gave him a plus-12 net rating.

Honor was an effective point guard for Clemson, often being utilized on ball screens with more than 60% completion rate. He made a pass to another teammate almost every single time during breaks on the court.

It's no secret that the Tigers' offense under Brad Brownell evolved, and Honor quickly adjusted to his new environment. That included more catch-and-shoot jumpers.

Honor was never afraid to go for the basket when given the ball on offense, which helped explain why he averaged 1.357 points per possession with those jumpers over his two seasons at Clemson.

Honor was in the 66th percentile nationally for efficiency when making passes to teammates on offense, which could be one of the reasons he's in such high demand as a starting quarterback. With his quickness and knack for scoring from the wing and consistent pull-up jumpers at the rim, Honor has an excellent chance to contribute in both high and low posts.

Texas Tech Red Raiders Men's Basketball Team

Coach Mark Adams at Texas Tech has plenty of talent and depth on his roster to build from, but the Raiders need a playmaking point guard who can facilitate their offense and exploit any defenses they come up against.

Mac McClung is one of the key pieces to fill that void. His energy and agility will allow Tech's motion offense to thrive, with potential for him to become an "alpha" player on Beard's team.

Gray

Last season, Gray was an integral part of Texas Tech's NCAA Tournament run and displayed great versatility on the wings. Additionally, his 6'6" frame boasted an impressive shooting range.

He has been an integral part of Tech's recent success and a key reason why they are back in the national conversation this year. He can play either guard position and provides strong defensive play on the court.

Mark Adams will find his team's slashing ability to be invaluable, as he strives for an even scoring attack. The Red Raiders currently boast four players who average double figures in points per game; Kevin Obanor leads the pack at 13.1 ppg.

Daniel Batcho (12.9 points per game), Keenan Evans (10 points per game), and Zach Smith (9.4 points per game) round out the top three players on this list. All three can score goals, as well as be formidable defensively.

This year's Tech roster promises an exciting journey, and there's much to look forward to as they embark on their 2022-23 campaign. The new players have the potential to have a significant impact on the program and help Tech return to the top of the conference.

Though it will take some time to adjust, the Red Raiders possess depth, experience and versatility that should help them reach the tournament. Rebounding and outside shooting need improvement but if they can do that, they should be able to return.

This season, the Red Raiders have several important matches against Kansas, including two against them. They open Big 12 play against the Jayhawks in Manhattan on Saturday, Jan. 15 before traveling to Lawrence for their regular-season finale on Monday, Feb. 28.

Smith

The Texas Tech red raiders men's basketball basketball team represents the Texas Tech University athletic department in the United States. As a member of the Big 12 Conference, they compete in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament each year.

Smith is a former FBI agent who worked on several high-profile cases such as the trial of John Edwards and Jack McDonnell. Additionally, he served as special counsel to the US Justice Department's Public Integrity Section, overseeing an investigation into former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay.

He served on the team during its inaugural year in the Big 12, helping it finish with an 18-9 record. Unfortunately, they were eliminated from contention early in the tournament when two players were found to have been playing under academic probation during that period.

After the season, Smith left to become the head coach of the Memphis Tigers of the National Basketball Association. In his second season as head coach, he helped his team win its first NCAA Tournament game in nine years and earn them an 8-seed seed in the NCAA Tournament.

The Red Raiders went on to win seven straight games, helping them finish the 2022/2023 season with an 11-10 record and make their first trip to the Final Four, but ultimately fell short against Virginia in overtime.

Smith was able to survive Neo's return due to their shared 'bond'. This bond would protect Smith from destruction for as long as Neo was around, though it also suppressed his own memories.

Smith is an impressively strong and fast guard, possessing the strength to jump over people. He's also one of our team's best free throw shooters, converting 41.2 percent of his field-goal attempts through seven conference games this season. Additionally, Smith has averaged 6.2 rebounds per game this year.

Santos-Silva

Marcus Santos-Silva is a 6-foot-6, 260 pound forward who played three years at VCU before transferring to Texas Tech in 2020. During his collegiate basketball career he amassed 1,244 points, 957 rebounds and 61 blocks; he also served as the Big 12 Conference offensive rebounding leader from 2020-21.

Santos-Silva is the sole returning starter on this year's team, hoping to fill a key role for an evolving squad that lost four starters from last season, including Kerwin Walton - their top scorer and rebounder. Six-foot-11 forward De'Vion Harmon returns as well, along with guards D'Maurian Williams and Jaylon Tyson.

Mark Adams' coaching staff, now with a new look after being hired, will have much work to do to prepare the Red Raiders for another shot at the NCAA Tournament. Though it may seem like there's been an overhaul, this group is packed with experienced veterans who can make things happen at a high level.

It will be fascinating to watch how the team adjusts to this rapidly transforming environment. After all, their coaching staff must find ways to keep players motivated while everything else in Lubbock undergoes major change.

Santos-Silva may not have the same opportunities as their first tight end pick of 2022, but they can still expect him to make an immediate impact. At 6'6", 261 pounds, Santos-Silva may not be one of the biggest players in the NFL but his athleticism has already caught the attention of Cleveland's coaching staff.

Santos-Silva must adapt over the next few months to the physicality of playing football in order to find success. While it's not a common occurrence, some former college basketball players have made successful transitions into the NFL; one example being Antonio Gates who spent his time playing basketball at Kent State before becoming an acclaimed TE in the league.

Tyreek

Last season, 6-foot-8 forward Williams from UTEP averaged 15.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. He began his college career at Fresno State before transferring to UTEP for his final two years. Williams is an excellent rebounder, shooter, and doesn't turn over much the ball; additionally, he serves as a solid shot-blocker as well.

He is an ideal fit for Texas Tech due to their size in the front court and basketball intelligence. With these attributes combined, he could potentially become an all-Big 12 selection and provide the team with a huge boost heading into next season.

Though he may not be the best 3-point shooter in America, his free throw shooting is impressive and his overall game shows. Plus, he's an impressive athlete who grabs many dunks and makes his teammates look good during transition.

His three point shooting percentage is slightly below 30 percent, which is below his career average of 36.9%; furthermore, his rebounding rate stands at an impressive 21.4% - an excellent statistic for a forward.

He has started in all games this season for the Red Raiders and is one of their best players. He will remain a key component for the 2021-2022 campaign.

He is one of the few players to arrive in Lubbock without using the transfer portal and has made an impact on this year's team. His success on the court and participation in their Sweet 16 run are both monumental achievements for them; additionally, they were able to stay ranked five in AP polls for five straight seasons.

Ntambwe

Chris Beard is in his fourth season as head coach of the Texas Tech Red Raiders men's basketball team. After Tubby Smith left in January, Beard, who had served as an assistant coach at Houston Baptist and former head coach at UNLV, took over. His record started off strong with a 93-67 victory against Houston Baptist and then followed that up with an epic 77-76 overtime triumph against West Virginia.

The Red Raiders have added guards Jamarius Burton and Mac McClung, two high-volume shooters who can score in large numbers. Forward Marcus Santos-Silva - a graduate transfer from VCU who averaged nearly a double-double two years ago - also provides length and versatility to their lineup.

Ntambwe joins Texas Tech as a 6-8 forward who can create offense off the dribble and provide interior support throughout the remainder of this year. He is an incredibly talented player who will hopefully take his career to new heights at Texas Tech.

He will be an integral piece of the court for the Red Raiders in their matchup against Houston Cougars, who enter Sunday's "Southwest Showdown" in Fort Worth 2-0. This matchup promises to be one of the best-matched teams early in the Big 12 schedule.

Given the way this season has been played, the Red Raiders should be favorites to win. Their guards have put in stellar performances so far and Ntambwe's presence should give them an edge on the glass as well.

The Texas Tech Red Raiders men's team boasts a talented roster and should be favorites to defeat Houston Cougars in this game. Their focus will be on improving offense and rebounding on the glass, with Ntambwe and Santos-Silva expected to help them achieve those objectives.