Texas Tech’s quick turnaround brings a new non-conference test Thursday against Bethune-Cookman, and after the Red Raiders handled Jackson State at home, a few names are worth tracking closely.
Damarion Dennis is the first one. The Wyoming transfer came off the bench in the opener and lit it up, finishing with 22 points in only 23 minutes to lead Texas Tech.
That kind of efficiency jumps off the page, and this matchup offers another chance to see whether that scoring burst was a one-night spike or the start of something more consistent. Dennis is still expected to operate as the sixth man, but if he keeps producing at that level, Grant McCasland may have some lineup decisions to make.
With so many scorers in the mix, minutes are going to be hard to sort out.
Donovan Atwell is another player to watch after a rough shooting night against Jackson State. He went 0-for-6 from beyond the arc, which stands out precisely because that’s not what fans are used to seeing from him.
Atwell was arguably the best shooter in the country last season, so the expectation here is simple: bounce back. Texas Tech will want him finding his rhythm now, before the competition gets tougher.
Then there’s Darrion Williams, who should have plenty of attention on him against Bethune-Cookman. He didn’t make much of an impact offensively in the opener, but Texas Tech needs more from him on the glass early in the season.
Rebounding looks like one of the biggest areas the Red Raiders need to sharpen, and Williams could be a major factor there. He may also settle into a role as a physical defender this season, especially with the backcourt carrying much of the scoring load.
Williams showed plenty of his all-around game in the first outing anyway, posting 15 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and a career-high 6 steals. That kind of versatility makes him a central figure for Texas Tech on both ends, especially with his playmaking and defensive pressure helping set the tone for the backcourt.
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