2008 Texas Tech Red Raiders Basketball Preview

Last season, the Texas Tech Red Raiders (16-15 overall, 7-9 Big 12) finished in a three-way tie for seventh place. They did not go to the NCAA or NIT. This season former head coach Bobby Knight’s son, Pat, takes over. The younger Knight actually replaced his dad after the elder stepped down last February; this will be Pat’s first full season as head coach.

There are major questions concerning the team’s frontcourt. Junior forward Trevor Cook (15.7 MPG, 4.9 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 0.6 APG, 45.5 FG%, 77.6 FT%) is back as the leading scorer and that does not bode well for the Red Raiders. For this team to win, he’ll need to step up and score more points than he did last season. Senior forward Damir Suljagic (18.5 MPG, 4.7 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 0.7 APG, 58.0 FG%, 55.2 FT%) will contribute upfront. Senior center Esmir Rizvic (13.0 MPG, 2.9 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 0.1 APG, 51.7 FG%, 46.2 FT%), who stands at seven-foot-even, offers some mismatch problems for other teams but the rest of the frontcourt is relatively small. Additionally, there’s not a lot of depth in this group.

Shooting guard Alan Voskuil (33.9 MPG, 13.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 1.4 APG, 47.9 FG%, 82.4 FT%) is an excellent shooter, leading the nation in three-point accuracy with a 50.0 3-PT%. He’s the leading returning scorer on the club and will be asked to replace departed guard Martin Zeno’s 16.0 PPG. Sophomore guard John Roberson (30.9 MPG, 12.3 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 3.3 APG, 42.2 FG%, 72.0 FT%) is back after putting in a fine freshman season. He’ll be instrumental in this team’s success. Additionally, sophomore Mike Singletary (16.5 MPG, 7.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 1.0 APG, 49.0 FG%, 75.6 FT%) offers some fine scoring chops. The backcourt is deep and talented.

After five straight NCAA appearances, the Red Raiders stayed home during last year’s post-season. This year look for the team to rebound and make a bid for the NIT. That is if they can replace Zeno’s point production and Pat Knight can walk in the big footsteps of his dad.