Texas Tech’s new backcourt pieces brought both upside and some rough edges against Kentucky, and Cruz Davis was right in the middle of it.
The Hofstra transfer showed why the Red Raiders are so interested in him, even if the box score wasn’t especially clean. Davis finished 3-for-10 from the field, a reminder that this wasn’t his sharpest shooting night. But the bigger takeaway may be that his best path at Texas Tech looks different than the one he took at Hofstra.
Last season, Davis put up 20 points per game for the Pride. That kind of scoring load probably won’t be asked of him in Lubbock, and maybe shouldn’t be.
With Texas Tech having plenty of other options in the backcourt, Davis looks more like a guard who can set the table than one who has to carry the offense as a scorer. Against Kentucky, he handed out seven assists and flashed the kind of playmaking that could matter a lot for this team.
That role comes with a different kind of responsibility. Davis will need to stay under control, protect the ball and still play with an edge. Those things don’t always come naturally together, but that balance may decide how valuable he becomes for the Red Raiders this season.
There were signs of that challenge against the Wildcats. Davis picked up four fouls, which on its own isn’t a major concern and can even be read as a sign of how aggressively he plays on defense.
For now, that isn’t something Texas Tech has to sweat. If it starts showing up regularly, though, it could become an issue.
The turnovers were a bigger problem. Davis gave it away five times, with mistakes coming from both poor passes and violations such as traveling. That’s the area where he’ll have to be much cleaner if he wants to maximize his impact.
Still, the night wasn’t short on encouraging moments. Even in a small sample, Davis showed enough to make the case that he can be a starting point guard for Texas Tech this season. A few shots didn’t fall, but the talent was obvious.
What he did at Hofstra is still part of the equation, and there’s plenty of reason to think he can bring that level of production to Lubbock in time. It may take an adjustment period, but Texas Tech has every reason to feel optimistic about what he can become.
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For Utah, that kind of result changes the tenor of what was already shaping up as a tricky conference test. Cincinnatis fans celebrated by storming the field afterward, and the Big 12 may still review the scene for a possible fine, but the bigger takeaway is clear enough for the Red Raiders and everyone else watching the league race: this is no longer just a date on the schedule. [Read more 🡒]