Breaking down the 2023-24 Texas Tech basketball roster
In three months as the head coach of the Texas Tech basketball team, Grant McCasland has completely revamped the roster.
Between convincing players to stick around, getting on the recruiting trail for freshmen or enticing players to come to Lubbock from the transfer portal, McCasland and the rest of the coaching staff have filled out the squad that will make up the 2023-24 Red Raiders.
The final pieces came earlier this week with the official signings of Devan Cambridge and Joe Toussaint. Though the puzzle is complete, the picture it creates is still a mystery, one that won't become clear for another four months.
With the 13 scholarship spots filled, let's take a look at Texas Tech's potential starting five and what each player brings to the table.
Guards
Potential Starters: Pop Isaacs (6-foot-2, So.) and Chance McMillian (6-3, Jr.)
Off the Bench: Joe Toussaint (6-0, Gr.), Lamar Washington (6-4, Soph.), D'Maurian Williams (6-3, Sr.) and Drew Steffe (6-5, Fr.)
McCasland has already made it known he expect Isaacs to be Tech's leader. The guard showed flashes of that ability as a freshman, but with youth came some miscues. Another year of experience, plus the trust of the coach and his energy and shooting ability, puts Isaacs in the driver's seat.
The additions of McMillian (via Grand Canyon) and Toussaint (West Virginia) provides some much-needed experience alongside Isaacs and Washington. The transfer duo will likely jockey for the other starting spot, though Toussaint has shown an ability to be a great sparkplug off the bench (he averaged 9.8 points on 50.4% shooting in one start last season).
Like Isaacs, year two provides Washington a chance to take a leap. Where D'Maurian Williams fits into the rotation is a question with the new coaching staff. He played 10.8 minutes in 27 games last season. If anything, it's another veteran that can guide the young guys.
Wings
Potential Starters: Darrion Williams (6-6, So.) and Devan Cambridge (6-6, Gr.)
Off the Bench: Kerwin Walton (6-5, Sr.)
Williams and Cambridge, several years apart, are similar in production and can do a little bit of everything. Being a grad transfer, Cambridge's experience should provide good locker room leadership for an otherwise young team.
Walton will probably see time at the 2 and the 3 depending on the lineup on the floor. Consistent minutes would be a boon for the 41.1% 3-point shooter, which could be crucial for an offense needing guys to step up.
Thanks to his overall skillset, Williams has a chance to stand out as Tech's best all around player. He can handle the ball, shoots well from deep and attacks the glass (7.3 rebounds a game last season). The Nevada import will be asked to step up in the scoring column as well (7.7 a game), but his playmaking ability (90 assists) should benefit the team as a whole.
Posts
Potential Starter: Warren Washington (7-0, Gr.)
Off the Bench: Robert Jennings (6-7, So.), KyeRon Lindsay 6-8, (So.) and Emili Yalaho (6-8, Fr.)
Washington, the Arizona State transfer, has the advantage in height and experience (this will be his seventh year of college). Jennings appeared in 30 games last year and his 8.7 minutes a game are sure to increase in his sophomore campaign.
Lindsay is an intriguing player. His 10 games played at Georgia don't provide much of a sample size, but the 6-foot-8 sophomore is a good rim-running, back-cutting weapon to spread out the floor on offense. Yalaho will have his chances to prove himself in non-conference play.
In a Nutshell
Texas Tech had five players average double-digit scoring figures last year while this year's group has two players (Isaacs and McMillian) who achieved those numbers in 2022-23. That's not necessarily a bad thing, it just means some players will see their numbers increase, both out of opportunity and necessity. Darrion Williams and Cambridge, for their versatility, seem to be the top candidates to stuff the stat sheet.
Outside shooting should be improved with the addition of McMillian, Walton getting some more playing time and a bit more consistency throughout the roster. Four players on last year's Red Raiders shot more than 35% from 3, three of whom are back (Isaacs, Walton and D'Maurian Williams) and they added two more through the transfer portal.
On paper, the 2023-24 Red Raiders appear to more closely resemble the 2021-22 Sweet 16 squad in terms of versatility across the lineup. Seven players are listed between 6-foot-5 and 6-8. This does, however, leave the team a bit lacking in height. Washington will have to stay out of foul trouble, especially against the likes of Kansas and Texas to compete in the height department.
Overall, the blend of youth and experience should help the Red Raiders build off of last year's shortcomings. A return to the NCAA Tournament isn't guaranteed, but Texas Tech should be in contention throughout the season.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Breaking down the 2023-24 Texas Tech basketball roster
