Rapid Fire: Aimaq's debut, hardwood struggles, way too early football predictions
What do you think is Tech basketball's main problem right now?
Austin Massey, Recruiting Analyst:Closing out games is probably what concerns me most right now. Texas Tech has been the better team against, TCU, Texas, and Oklahoma, yet lost all three of those games in the final minutes. Turnovers and poor defense has been a common theme in crunch time.
Jarret Johnson, Publisher: The lack of cohesion on defense and inefficient play on offense is killing this team right now, but I am hopeful now that Fardaws Aimaq is back and appears ready to go that this team can start reeling off wins, especially at home.
Kenny Romero, Staff:I think the main issue is the one thing that the Red Raiders have hung their hat on in the last several years is not very good. Defensively this team is not what we have come to expect, there are many reasons for the drop in defense in my opinion (youth, lack of length etc) but the bottom line is it is not as good as we have seen in recent years.
Joe Yeager, Senior Writer:From a strictly technical standpoint, they're turning the ball over too much. In these tight ball games--Iowa State excluded--three extra turnovers can easily spell the difference between victory and defeat.
How would you rate Fardaws Aimaq's debut and what is his potential impact on the rest of the season?
Massey:I would give Fardaws an A for his season debut. For not having played a game in 10+ months, he looked pretty polished offensively and instantly made an impact on the boards. He clearly isn’t in game shape yet but that will come with time. Overall, he is going to change the trajectory of this team.
Johnson: Fardaws was great. He made an immediate impact on both ends of the court, though he is a liability defensively when switching on the perimeter.
Romero:I would give him a solid B, I did not expect to see him get that many minutes in his first game back. His potential impact on the offensive end and rebounding may help this team win 2-3 more games but defensively in his first game back he was a liability when switched onto guards out front. The coaching staff will need to adjust their philosophy or every team will pick on that.
Yeager:It was a very good debut. Outside of a couple of defensive lapses and the three turnovers in the second half, Aimaq did a great job. The potential is there for him to be Tech's best player for the remainder of the season although Pop Isaacs will provide stiff competition in that regard.
What does Tech have to do to make the NCAA tournament at this point?
Massey:Texas Tech needs to go undefeated at home for the remainder of the season and win a couple of road games. If they can do that they are in.
Johnson: Tech must win at least eight of its final 13 Big 12 games, plus beat LSU to have a shot outside of winning the conference tournament.
Romero:They need to win 8 more games in the regular season and probably 1 game in the Big 12 tournament.
Yeager:To have any shot, I think Tech will need to go 8-10 in Big XII play. That means they'll have to go 8-5 the rest of the regular season.
What's your way too early record prediction for Tech football next season?
Massey:I’m gonna go 10-3. If Shough can stay healthy, the Red Raiders could be special next season.
Johnson: 9-3, this team could be very good.
Romero:8-4 in the regular season
Yeager:8-4. I believe next year's team will be a bit better than last year's team.
Which football transfer addition this offseason do you think will make the biggest impact next season?
Massey:I’m keeping an eye on Austin Peay WR transfer Drae McCray. The 5’9” speedster put up 92 yards against Alabama last season and is lethal after the catch. Zach Kittley is going to find some creative ways to utilize McCray and he could be in for a big season.
Johnson: CJ Baskerville at the Star position. It will be difficult to replicate the job Muddy Waters did this past season, but I am expecting Baskerville to step in and play very well.
Romero:Drae McCray will give the offense something that they lacked desperately last season, speed to take the top off of defenses.
