Expectations are high for the Texas Tech basketball team this season. By bringing back core players like Darrion Williams, Chance McMillan, and Kerwin Walton, and adding standout transfers like Elijah Hawkins, JT Toppin, and Federico Federchio, the Red Raiders will be one of the few teams in March. Many people are predicting this. In fact, one college basketball expert even thinks the Red Raiders can make it to the Final Four.
John Fanta, broadcaster and college hoops commentator for the college basketball podcast “The Field of 68: After Dark,” is ranked outside the top 25 to start the season with a chance to reach the Final Four. I was participating in a roundtable discussion about the team. He chose the Red Raiders.
“I’m going to set the internet on fire,” he said, “and people in Lubbock are going to like me. Grant McCasland has a talented Texas Tech team. It’s going to take a combination, but JT Toppin could jump.” He’s a really good player in the scene there, Elijah Hawkins, Chance McMillan, Federico Federico of the Five, Darrion Williams, you’re on the Red Raiders. I might just kind of like what I see. ”
Of course, given how tough the Big 12 is expected to be, the Red Raiders will have quite a mountain to climb just to make it to this year’s NCAA Tournament. In fact, despite earning a lot of respect this offseason, the Red Raiders were picked just No. 7 in the Big 12 Basketball preseason poll.
However, the No. 7 team in the Big 12 could still be good enough to advance in the NCAA Tournament. Additionally, even if Tech makes it to the Final Four this year, it won’t be the first time the program has reached the game’s biggest stage after being picked seventh in the conference’s preseason poll.
Back in 2018, when there were only 10 teams in the Big 12, the Red Raiders were picked just seventh in the preseason Big 12 poll despite reaching the Elite Eight the previous season. Apparently, losing guards Keenan Evans and Zhaire Smith from the Elite Eight roster was enough to make voters think the Red Raiders might take a step back that year.
But that didn’t happen. In fact, the Red Raiders won a share of the Big 12 regular season crown in 2018-19 (along with Kansas State) and will ultimately advance to the National Championship Game in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Could something similar happen in tech this year? Fanta thinks it’s possible, and Red Raider fans across the country hope he’s right.
