MAC WATCH: Decision Announced, McClung Era Ends

Mac McClung has finally made his decision to transfer from Georgetown to Texas Tech.

Downplaying the announcement a bit on his own Twitter page, McClung’s decision announcement features a nice dunking animation from the folks at The Overtime.

The Overtime posted a video with a bit more pizzazz, based on McClung’s high school highlight footage.

On social media, yesterday, McClung had promised the announcement would be Wednesday, six days after announcing his “Top 7.” While his true rationale for leaving the Hoyas is still a bit foggy, perhaps his final choice sheds some new light on Team McClung’s perceived shortcomings in Patrick Ewing and the Georgetown program.

Weeks ago, McClung told ESPN he was looking for “a place I can call home. A place I can be a part of a family and help them succeed.” While fit and feel certainly plays a part in a non-quarantine visiting situations, Zoom calls hardly seem to convey the targeted warm fuzzies. Maybe McClung’s agent asked if his new coach is able to provide the necessary opportunities to show-off and develop his point guard skills for an NBA career. Too soon?

McClung chose Texas Tech from a “Top 7” including Arkansas, Auburn, BYU, Memphis, USC and Wake Forest. Tyler Byrum of NBCSports ranked the choices:

Texas Tech has emerged as a consistent top 25 threat every season. Before the cancelation of the tournament, they had made the Elite Eight in back-to-back seasons and were the runner-ups in 2019. Head coach Chris Beard has this program in the right direction and will likely be a contender for years to come.

In Lubbock, McClung will not have to be the best player on the roster. Although, the talent isn’t too high where McClung can’t emerge as the guy again. The Red Raiders have established themselves as a transfer destination, which does take a hit in the family environment. But it also shows that they would welcome McClung with open arms.

Beard also has the experience of turning guards into NBA prospects, with Jahmi’us Ramsey and Jarrett Culver.

In two years they will need a PG, whether Ramsey leaves for the draft this season or the next. McClung could find all of his needs at Texas Tech.

Of his choices, Texas Tech likely has the best chance at returning to the tournament in the next couple years. Mac’s new (and maybe a little naive) fans certainly appear to be excited, even with the reports that McClung will likely have to sit a year. Perhaps it was “the outpouring of attention from Red Raider Nation,” such as Patrick Mahomes, that made “McClung’s decision to head to Lubbock was a no-brainer.” Who knows?

This commitment marks the last departure of Ewing’s best recruiting class, a class that featured three players on the All-BIG EAST Freshman team. Now, like Josh LeBlanc at LSU, James Akinjo at Arizona, and even Grayson Carter at UT-Arlington, McClung has a new program to call home, too.

We wish him and his new program the absolute best of luck.

(Feel free to leave a polite “thank you” or “good-bye” gif in the comments!)