The Low

In a society typefied by tweets, instant messages, abbreviation-strewn text messages and fast food, Grant McCasland's methodical approach to recruiting has caused the sale of anxiety medication to soar in West Texas. But, unsurprisingly to those who know McCasland's track record, surely and steadily, he is constructing a formidable roster at Texas Tech.

The latest piling to be sunk is a tall one and a good one. Warren Washington, 7-0, 225, late of Arizona State, has committed to play for the Red Raiders next season. A member of the PAC-12 All-Defense team last season, Washington is effectively the replacement for the Fragile Frenchman, the chronically injured Daniel Batcho, who elected to transfer to Louisiana Tech.

I'm not sure you'd quite call Washington a stat sheet-stuffer, but he certainly made manifold contributions to a Sun Devil team that went 23-13 last season, won a game in the First Four, and then lost by two points to TCU in the first round of the NCAA tournament. He averaged nine points, 1.8 blocks, and seven rebounds per contest, and shot 56 percent from the floor. Perhaps most impressive of all for a seven-footer, he also had three more assists than turnovers. A big man with that sort of a floor game is one that you don't ever need to bench on offensive possessions. He is a bona fide two-way player.

Clearly, Washington isn't being brought in to be a primary scorer, but he is capable of contributing significantly in this area. He is absolute murder on the high screen-and-roll, and also does a great job of diving to the hoop in non-structured environments. Aside from the screen-and-roll, Washington can also knock down the midrange jumper off the pick-and-pop. He has no deep shooting game, having not even attempted a 3-ball last season, but can score on a variety of hook shots from eight feet and in. He also displays a nifty drop step and spin, and with his length, has no trouble finishing when he beats his man.

But it is the passing that is the most intriguing aspect of Washington's game on the offensive end. He is excellent as a passer from the mid-post, the high post, the elbow and the wing. At seven feet tall, he can see over everybody and has the skill to pass to open cutters. This passing ability makes Washington a particularly lethal weapon in combination with his scoring potential in pick-and-roll situations. Thus, when he receives the ball in one of the above positions, the defense cannot know if he is going to dive after setting the screen, or if he's going to receive a pass and pass out of that position. This ability will diversify Texas Tech's offense and make the Red Raiders more difficult to defend.

And speaking of defending, Washington can gitter dunn in that area, too. Obviously, the ability to block shots is his greatest asset on this end of the court, but it's worth mentioning that he doesn't foul all that often for a shot blocker. Washington does a good job of walling up and not slapping at the shooter.

In Warren Washington, Grant McCasland has added another nice piece to the mosaic. For the next addition, a bulky, space-eating four would do nicely as a complement to Washington.