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3 questions facing Texas Tech women's basketball ahead of Big 12 media days

stephen garcia, lubbock avalanche-journal
·2 min read

Big 12 basketball media days begins Tuesday, with commissioner Brett Yormark kicking off festivities at 8:30 a.m. at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo., the site of the men's and women's conference tournaments.

Texas Tech women's basketball coach Krista Gerlich will follow Yormark at 9:15 a.m.

Here are three questions facing the Lady Raiders heading into the season.

Texas Tech's Elina Arike warms up with a brace during the team's first practice, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, at the United Supermarkets Arena.
Texas Tech's Elina Arike warms up with a brace during the team's first practice, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, at the United Supermarkets Arena.

What will the forward/post rotation look like?

Most of Tech's frontcourt experience from last season has graduated, leaving spots up for grabs. Katie Ferrell (649 minutes) and Ella Tofaeono (318) are gone, but returning center Jazmaine Lewis logged 425 minutes. Kilah Freelon's playing time increased as her freshman year went on, but several of the options don't have experience at Tech.

That includes JoJo Nworie, a junior-college standout who missed last season with an injury. Gerlich has said Nworie is healthy. The coach is also high on UTEP transfer Elina Arike, the Conference USA defensive player of the year.

Who will emerge as the Lady Raiders' leaders?

With Jazion Jackson out for the season, there will be three active seniors on the roster. Of them, only Lewis is a returner.

Gerlich has said the leaders are still to be determined, but the Lady Raiders' media-day participants may provide some insight. The coach mentioned at the first practice Rhyle McKinney and Jordyn Merritt were potential candidates. Both, along with guard Bailey Maupin, will be in KC.

Can Texas Tech women's basketball exceed projections?

The Lady Raiders were voted by conference coaches to place 10th in the 14-team league. Tech finished seventh or worse in a 10-team Big 12 every year since placing third during the 2012-13 season.

The Lady Raiders finished eighth in the Big 12 last season with a 6-12 mark. Tech finished 20-15 overall with a third-round appearance in the Women's National Invitation Tournament.

The strong close to the season built excitement within the program, but the outside perception appears to be the Lady Raiders will be the same team near the bottom of the conference.

Key pieces such as Bre'Amber Scott and Bryn Gerlich have moved on, so it'll be up to a new core to exceed expectations.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: 3 questions for Texas Tech women's basketball at Big 12 media days