Grant McCasland on resilience, leadership, and the future of Texas Tech Basketball
Texas Tech head coach Grant McCasland reflected on the tough road loss to No. 14 Illinois, emphasizing the importance of moving forward. He noted that what separates this team from others is the players’ attitude and resilience.
“We got back and watched film and everybody got treatment, and there was this sense of like no excuses for why things didn’t go our way. There’s a lot of things to gain from playing college basketball right now but if you go out and remember that it truly is just a game and that you can go out there and have fun then that’s the key.
That’s kind of what makes our team so special is that they are all really good guys and they love being around eachother. So when everybody showed up to get treatment, you kind of saw this energy of wanting to be there and you can see it in their faces and how engaging they are. That’s what led to such a competitve practice and that’s what I like to see.”
The power of the fans at Texas Tech
McCasland spoke at last Saturday’s highly anticipated football matchup between Texas Tech and BYU. He stopped by Raiderville to see the students camping out and showing their support for the football team.
“I got to hang out with the students at Raiderville and let me tell you, we have some of the best students. I can’t even emphasize that enough. What an impact and what a joy it was.
We have great people on campus, but when you get to do life with the students in a common way that everybody gets to be on the same team together. There’s nothing like it because we had two early losses last season at home when our students weren’t here so I know that it makes us better and I am thankful for that.”
The future of Red Raider basketball
McCasland spoke about four-star recruit and top-10 guard DaKari Spear, reflecting on watching him grow and develop as a player.
“I love DaKari and I’ve known DaKari and his family for a long time and watched him play growing up. I was the head coach at North Texas and his brother was playing at The Colony High School and the head coach there was a Red Raider and so I’d always go into town.
DaKari is one of those guys that people love the way he scores, but I love him as a basketball player. I mean, he makes the right plays and he got hurt this past summer and so he didn’t have the ramp that would give him more notoriety as a player but the way he’s playing right now, I mean he’s competing at a really high level.
He’s been productive and I think he’s a great defender and there’s nothing really anything he can’t do. He’s got great length and size at the guard spot and so we’re really excited that he’s going to be a part of our program.”
Texas Tech’s athleticism and explosiveness
McCasland also spoke about freshman guard Jaylen Petty, the 2024–25 Washington Gatorade Player of the Year. He praised Petty’s unique shooting ability, saying his quick and high release make him a special talent.
“Petty has an unbelievable vertical, right? So when you have those talents, the best way to think is, ‘Okay, when do I use them?’ Shooting jumpers and shooting threes is difficult, and when you can elevate over players and make shots, that’s when you’ve got to utilize both shots.
There are two ways I think Jaylen Petty gains confidence. One is by continuing to take the right shots – the more you take the right ones, the more confident you’ll feel. The other is knowing that when you’re catching and shooting, there’s preparation involved, and you’ve got to be ready to shoot.
But if it’s a late, contested shot and he’s off balance, he still has the talent and skill to make those shots. He’s learning that, it’s a nuance for him, and there’s a lot coming at him quickly. But he’s ultra-competitive and really wants to be a part of this team and help this team win, so I trust that he can learn to do both.”
This weeks challenge against Milwaukee
McCasland spoke about Friday’s game against the Milwaukee Panthers and how the team plans to bounce back after the loss.
“Well, first and foremost, they play really hard, I mean, they don’t back down. They’re one of the best teams at being disruptive defensively. They change defenses, and they’re active and aggressive. They’re an awesome offensive and rebounding team. They attack you on offense and score with pace. They move with pace, and it’s just really hard playing a program where every possession, they’re in the mix.
I honestly respect the way they compete. If you ask me, that’s what gives you a chance to win on the road — your competitiveness. They’ve got guys who can make perimeter shots and score in different ways. They move the ball well, but to me, it’s how disruptive they are defensively.”
