Texas Tech men's basketball season preview
LUBBOCK, TX - FEBRUARY 13: Keenan Evans of Texas Tech reacts to making a three-point basket during the game against the Baylor Bears on February 13, 2017 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
Texas Tech
Last season: 18-14.
Nickname: Red Raiders.
Coach: Chris Beard.
Conference: Big 12.
Who's gone: F Anthony Livingston; F Aaron Ross; G Devon Thomas; F Matthew Temple; F Thomas Brandsma.
Who's back: G Keenan Evans, the team's top scorer at 15.4 points per game while shooting 43 percent on 3-pointers; F Zach Smith, who averaged 12.1 points and team-best 7.2 rebounds; F Justin Gray, who shot 53 percent from the field; G Niem Stevenson.
Who's new: Most of the team with 11 newcomers. Seven are true freshmen along with junior college transfer guards Josh Webster and Hyron Edwards, and two Division I transfers, Tommy Hamilton IV from DePaul and Brandone Francis from Florida.
The Skinny: With five seniors and seven freshmen, Beard was spot-on when he said the team's "chemistry is a work in progress." When the former Red Raiders assistant returned to Texas Tech last year as head coach, he brought in three graduate transfers among six new players. Whether the Raiders can get back to their second NCAA Tournament in 11 seasons will depend on how the seasoned seniors and the youngsters come together on the court.
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