Texas Tech has already handled the early part of its season with ease, rolling past Jackson State and Bethune-Cookman to open 2-0. Now the Red Raiders step into a much tougher test, and it comes with No. 3 Illinois coming to town.
It’s the kind of matchup that puts a spotlight on the parts of Texas Tech’s roster that have mattered most through the offseason shuffle. Both teams will be missing important frontcourt pieces, which shifts even more attention to the guard play and the players asked to absorb bigger roles inside.
The first place to look is the backcourt. Cruz Davis and Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn arrived as two of the program’s most important transfers, and they’ve lived up to that billing so far, each averaging 15 points per game.
Illinois brings its own perimeter punch, with freshman Quentin Coleman leading the way at 16 points and 4.0 assists per game, while Stefan Vaaks has given the Illini 15.5 points per game off the bench as the team’s sixth man. If either side can take control on the perimeter, that group should have a real edge in deciding the outcome.
Inside, Texas Tech will need Bassala Bagayoko to hold up against a major challenge. JT Toppin will not play because of an ACL injury, and UCF transfer Jamichael Stillwell has not yet suited up, leaving the 6-foot-10 freshman forward as the main interior option.
Bagayoko has started both games and is averaging 4.0 points and 5.5 rebounds, but his value has been bigger than the numbers show because of the defense he has provided. Against Zvonimir and Tomislav Ivisic, that presence becomes even more important.
Then there’s Darrion Williams, who has been cleared by court order and started both games since returning to Lubbock. He has been quiet offensively so far, averaging 3.5 points and 5.0 rebounds, but Texas Tech is going to need more from him against a high-powered Illinois attack.
He’ll also draw the assignment of guarding the Illini’s leading scorer, Andrej Stojakovic, who is putting up 22.5 points per game. That makes Williams the key two-way piece for the Red Raiders, and this matchup gives him a chance to make a strong first impression with the fan base.
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Underwood touched on Gibbs-Lawhorns scoring ability in his pregame press conference, and it is easy to see why Illinois would pay close attention. The question now is whether the kind of offensive success he showed at the mid-major level can hold up with the same consistency against high-major competition, especially in a game where every possession figures to matter. [Read more 🡒]
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