Texas Tech, last season’s undisputed “ghost roster” champion, has once again earned the title for 2024-25. After a turbulent season in which they lost significant talent to the transfer portal, the Red Raiders found themselves forced to rebuild. However, this wasn’t just any rebuilding process. Texas Tech has found itself up against some stiff competition from other schools that also lost prominent players to the portal. In particular, North Carolina, Illinois, and a handful of other programs have been jockeying for a spot in the conversation about which team truly has the most significant collection of lost talent, but ultimately, Texas Tech edges them out in the rankings for the second straight year.

The 2023-24 season saw Texas Tech enjoy an unexpectedly strong performance, despite the fact that they had to say goodbye to several key contributors who transferred out of the program. Some of these players have gone on to thrive at their new institutions, further highlighting the difficulty of Texas Tech’s situation. While the Red Raiders faced a major loss of talent, those who moved on have made an indelible impact elsewhere, fueling the fire behind the team’s recurring “ghost” status.

The transfer portal in college basketball has become an increasingly popular tool for players seeking more playing time, better systems, or a fresh start. While some schools have learned how to adapt to this fluid nature of rosters, others are left scrambling to patch together competitive lineups. Texas Tech, historically known for its strong defense and gritty play, found itself in the midst of this dynamic after losing key pieces, many of whom went on to shine in other conferences.

North Carolina, which lost a number of players who had contributed to their rotation, stands as a formidable rival in this race for the title of best ghost roster. Their situation has been unique, as some of the players who left were expected to play pivotal roles. After their departures, these athletes quickly found new homes and flourished, leaving a significant hole in what many initially thought would be a promising season for the Tar Heels. The ability of these former players to excel elsewhere has highlighted just how tough it has been for North Carolina to replace that lost production, forcing them into this conversation.

Illinois, too, finds itself in this strange position of watching former stars perform at a high level on other teams. After several key departures, the Fighting Illini were left with holes to fill. But just like North Carolina and Texas Tech, the players who moved on from Illinois did not fade into obscurity. Instead, they’ve continued to make waves at their new institutions, adding to the feeling of Illinois being haunted by the talent it could no longer claim.

It’s important to note that the performance of these former players isn’t necessarily a direct reflection of their old teams’ abilities to develop talent. The transfer portal is a complex beast, one that allows players to find situations that fit their needs better than where they initially started. It’s a sign of the times in college basketball, where roster construction can sometimes feel like assembling a puzzle where a few pieces don’t quite fit no matter how hard you try. For these teams, it’s not just about evaluating the talent they lost—it’s about figuring out how to adjust and compete without those pieces in place.

Other programs, though not necessarily at the forefront of the “ghost roster” conversation, also find themselves grappling with the fallout from losing important players. Schools that heavily recruited out of high school but saw those players depart after a season or two often find their next steps tricky, with the pressure mounting to replace that lost talent while maintaining their competitive edge.

In the case of Texas Tech, their ability to keep pushing forward despite their losses speaks to the resilience of the program, as well as the continued ability of the coaching staff to adapt to an ever-shifting landscape. However, their dominance in the “ghost roster” category isn’t a sign of misfortune alone; it also reflects the level of talent that these programs have developed in the first place, which speaks volumes about their recruiting success.

While this year’s “ghost roster” title race features a competitive field, Texas Tech’s sustained performance—both in the rankings and in their ability to evolve without those former stars—cements their position at the top. With players who once looked like they might be the foundation of the program excelling at other schools, the Red Raiders have earned their place as the undisputed champions of the ghost roster phenomenon, proving that sometimes the talent you lose can be just as significant as the talent you keep.