NCAAB Predictions: No. 23 Texas Tech Red Raiders

Texas Tech lost eight of the top 10 players in minutes played per game last season. Kevin Obanor is the only player who started all 37 games last year. The team has a tough non-conference schedule. They play Creighton, either Louisville or Arkansas in the Maui Invitational. They are tied for 12th in odds to win the national championship.

Texas Tech finished third in the Big 12 last season. The team has four double-digit scorers, but the top scorer Bryson Williams is now pursuing a professional career. Terrence Shannon Jr. and Kevin McCullar transferred to Illinois and Kansas. Daniel Batcho could see a larger role this season after shooting 63% last year. Texas Tech added a top-15 recruiting class with forwards Elijah Fisher and Richard Isaacs and guards Lamar Washington rated as top 100.

Mark Adams likes the way Texas Tech's Fardaws Amaiq can shoot the 3.

Texas Tech will be one of the better defensive teams in the country. They were 11th among Division I teams last season, allowing 60.6 points per game. The team nearly reached the Elite Eight last year, but they failed to cover against the college basketball odds in seven of last nine games. Texas Tech plays the Big 12 opener at Texas Christian on December 31st. Their home games against Oklahoma and Kansas are on January 7th and January 28th.