Chris Beard is building something special in Lubbock.

Following a year in which the Texas Tech men’s basketball team advanced to the program’s inaugural Elite Eight, Beard was adamant that the deep postseason run was just the beginning of things to come.

“Simply stated: I just want to win, and I don’t want to let people down,” Beard said. “After the second season, where we had some success in the NCAA Tournament, I’m certainly really proud of the things we’ve accomplished.

“But, to me, we have not had anywhere near a defining moment yet. We’re just getting started.”

The Red Raiders are in rarefied air following a 27-10 mark, which ranked the second most in program history. Along the same line, Texas tech finished second in the Big 12 Conference standings on the way to securing a program-best No. 6 final ranking in the USA Today/Coaches Top 25 Poll.

Beard gave himself a week or so to enjoy the accolades before moving on to the 2018-2019 campaign, which he hopes yields plenty of success once again.

“You have a process you believe in. You work so hard, you ask guys to do things that they’ve never done before,” Beard said. “You have to have success to validate it. Now we have to show consistency.”

Jarrett Culver will be the one player expected to set the tempo, which shouldn’t be a problem since the sophomore spent time building up his overall strength and improving his pull-up jumper and other facets of his offense game throughout the offseason.

Culver, who averaged 11.2 points and 4.8 rebounds as a freshman, will look to shoulder a bulk of the offensive load with the departure of two of the top three scorers: Keenan Evans and Zhaire Smith.

Smith went from an unknown three-star prospect and became the program’s inaugural one-and-done player – part of a draft-day trade that saw him picked at 16th overall pick by the Phoenix Suns before getting dealt to the Philadelphia 76ers.

“It’s going to be a whole nother level of expectations and pressure each night for Culver,” Beard said. “He’s going to have the opposing team’s best player guarding him, he’s going to be game planned for, he’s going to be up on everyone’s board. Can he do it night in and night out? I have the confidence that he can.”

The Red Raiders also lost a ton of experience with five seniors graduating, including Evans

To make up for the void, Beard signed in a pair of graduate transfers – South Dakota guard Matt Mooney and St. John’s forward Tariq Owens, who are expected to be starters.

Texas Tech also brings back several players with game experience – guards Davide Moretti and Brandone France; and frontcourt players Malik Ondigo and Norense Odiase – who are expected to expand their roles on the offensive and defensive end.

South Plains College transfer Deshawn Corprew and freshmen Khavon Moore, Kyler Edwards and Josh Mballa also have the chance to earn playing time, as well. Kevin McCullar, a San Antonio McArthur guard who reclassified as a Class of 2018 prospect, is expected to enroll in January.

“The first season was about process, the second team was all about finishing and this year it’s about finding consistency,” Beard said. “So, I look forward to Year 3 and coaching these guys.”

Team Profile:

Projected Starting Five:

• G – Davide Moretti, So., 6’2, Bologna, Italy
• G - Matt Mooney, Gr., 6’3, Wauconda, Illinois
• G - Jarrett Culver, So., 6’5, Lubbock, Texas
• F- Tariq Owens, Gr., 6’10, Odentown, Maryland
• F- Norense Odiase, Sr., 6’8, Fort Worth, Texas

Preseason MVP:
After a stellar freshman campaign, Jarrett Culver is expected to take the next step after spending countless hours inside the gym perfecting his shooting stroke and improving his strength in the weight room.

Team Ceiling:
The Red Raiders could still enjoy a strong run in the NCAA Tournament if they can mesh a pair of graduate transfers – Matt Mooney and Tariq Owens – with a strong returning class and several high-profile freshmen. Contending in the Big 12 is also an option.

Team Floor:
If the graduate transfers don’t pan out and/or Jarrett Culver cannot handle the newfound pressure of being the face of the program, Texas Tech could see itself finishing below fifth place in the Big 12.

Game of the Year:
Texas Tech gets a huge litmus test game when it faces off against Duke on Dec. 20 in Madison Square Garden.

Impact First-Year Player
Tariq Owens from St. John’s University could be a game-changing player for the Texas Tech basketball program. Owens provides elite shot-blocking ability and will certainly chance shots for any opposing player who drives into the key.