Texas Tech Basketball 2025–2026 Season Preview: Projected starting lineup, impact players and rotation

Off an Elite Eight season in 2024-25, Texas Tech has plenty of talent for another March run onboard. The Red Raiders did lose some talent to graduation and the transfer portal, but the return of All-American JT Toppin was a pleasant surprise. Adding Toppin to their portal additions should be intriguing and give Tech a shot atop the Big 12 in 2025-26.

Texas Tech basketball season preview for 2025-26

Athletic forward JT Toppin's return makes Tech a conference and national contender. (Photo Credit: IMAGN)

Starting Lineup

Guard: Christian Anderson

The 6-foot-2 guard found an impressive role as a freshman at Tech. He averaged 10.6 points and 3.0 rebounds per game last year while shooting 38% from 3-point territory. He started only seven games, but Anderson played nearly 31 minutes per game. He'll be on the floor at crunch time again in the season ahead.

Guard: Donovan Atwell

An athletic 6-foot-5 wing who transfers in from UNC-Greensboro, Atwell averaged 13.3 points and 3.4 rebounds per game last year at UNCG. He also shot 40% from 3-point range, which provides another floor-spacing weapon for the Red Raiders next season. Atwell will be a senior and is another steady shooter for Grant McCasland's team.

Guard: Tyeree Bryan

A 6-foot-6 guard transfer from Santa Clara, Bryan averaged 10.4 points and 4.4 boards per game last year. He also shot 43% from 3-point range, which is not unusual as he's a career 42% 3-point shooter across three college seasons. Another long veteran shooter, Bryan should fit right in with Texas Tech.

Forward: JT Toppin

The 6-foot-9 forward was a consensus All-American in his sophomore season at Tech. He flirted with the NBA but ended up coming back to Lubbock. Toppin averaged 18.2 points and 9.4 rebounds per game last year. He also shot 55% and is ridiculously unselfish for such a star talent. He's almost certainly one of the nation's best-returning players and one to build around.

Forward: LeJuan Watts

An impressive 6-foot-6 athlete from Washington State, Watts is probably the best pure passer in this lineup. Last year, he averaged 13.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists. Watts is also a 42% 3-point shooter. In essence, he'll give Washington State four guards to team with Toppin, all of whom are dead-eye perimeter snipers and all of whom are experienced players.

Rotation Players

Josiah Mosley (Villanova) and Luke Bamgboye (VCU) are both raw transfers who could help out at the forward spots. Freshman guard Nolan Groves can also help out. With seven outgoing transfers, Texas Tech is a little thin at the depth spots and would likely not turn down a little additional help late in the recruiting game.

Impact Players

Obviously, Toppin is the straw that stirs this particular drink. Getting back one of the best players in the country was an amazing stroke of luck. Getting him back and surrounding him with four guards/wings who could all be 40% 3-point shooters is nearly unfair. But Toppin's the cog that everything else will revolve around.

What do you think of Texas Tech's upcoming squad? Share your take below in our comments section!