Texas Tech University Athletics
FINAL FOUR: What They're Saying
April 05, 2019 | Men's Basketball
RED RAIDERS VS. MICHIGAN STATE | 7:49 P.M., SATURDAY | TV: CBS / National Radio: Westwood One / Local Radio: Double T 97.3
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota – After two days of being in the spotlight at the Final Four, TexasTech.com turned questions to the reporters and broadcasters who have been covering Texas Tech this season and here at the U.S. Bank Stadium ahead of Saturday's game against Michigan State. Below is a compilation of quotes when we prompted the media to describe what they see in the Red Raiders going into the program's first Final Four appearance.
BRIAN HAMILTON (The Athletic): "What's so striking about Texas Tech is that they're always themselves, in every possible way, and how totally comfortable they are with that. Players, coaches, staff -- there's no pretense or play-acting. It's a team that is incredibly invested but one that also just doesn't give a single rip what anyone else thinks. I can't blame them for it. Being who they are, without apology, made history."
SETH GREENBERG (ESPN): "Texas Tech has an elite basketball program that is bigger than just this team. Chris Beard has built a culture of ownership, passion, winning and accountability. His energy is contagious and his players not only believe and trust him but know how much he cares and is in it with them. This team is mentally and physically tough as well as skilled. They execute on both sides of the court. Texas Tech is here to stay."Â
CARLOS SILVA (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal): "The fun thing about the Texas Tech men's basketball team is that what you see is what you get. Covering Chris Beard back during his days at Angelo State in Division II has given me a unique perspective in that I've seen him operate on the small and big stages. He's not the 'character' everyone seems to think he puts on during press conferences. As for the players, you will not find a more rambunctious or fun-loving group to cover as a media member. All have endearing characteristics and are happy to share their stories which makes it easy to allow readers and followers of college basketball latch on. The Red Raiders are playing their best basketball when it matters most and have embraced the extra media and national attention that has come with a run to the Final Four. But, all the while, still making time for the local media who has covered them throughout the season. It's certainly appreciated."
GREG BISHOP (Sports Illustrated): "I've covered a lot of teams -- NCAA, NFL and otherwise -- but never uncovered one quite like this year's basketball team at Texas Tech. From the itinerant coach to his poor chief of staff to the defensive guru to the hometown kid turned lottery pick to the first Italian player in the Final Four to the two grad transfers ... the Red Raiders 2018-19 season reads more like a movie. Ending still to-be-determined but a movie nonetheless."
GRANT HILL (CBS): "There is a spirit about this team that comes across on TV and watching them on tape where you can tell they enjoy playing together and for one another. The way they compete is fun to watch. Watching them practice the last two days I understand more why. They have energy, connectivity, communication and great leadership from their coach and players. It's a special group. Every group has a unique style and personality and Tech has created a real fun atmosphere to play for and for us to watch."
JIM NANTZ (CBS): "They are extremely well-prepared, smart and intense with their approach to every aspect of the game. From the eye test, as I prepare for the game by watching Texas Tech, this is a great basketball team capable of winning the championship."
BILL RAFTERY (CBS): "I've watched them now at three practices and the Kansas game which I bring up just to show their resiliency. They have a toughness about them that they've shown at multiple times throughout the season. You talk to coaches throughout the country and they don't want to play against Beard and his team because they shut you down and are efficient offensively. His players give him everything and it shows by the way they play together."
CHUCK CARLTON (Dallas Morning News): "I really thought before the tournament began that Texas Tech had a great chance to make a run because of the way it plays defense and the way it finished its regular season. This is a team that has experience and looked to be on a mission with a style that can be hard to play against. They have slowed down Buffalo, took Michigan out of its offense and then held back a very talented Gonzaga team by being the tougher team in the second half. Going into this, Michigan State has been a team a lot like Texas Tech and it should be a great test for both teams. The way Tech is playing right now you can't discount their chances of winning this game and even the national championship."
CHRIS LEVEL (TTSN): "It's been surreal to see these guys get to this point. Nothing fluky about them being here though, they beat the supposed best teams in their Region. Watching them have fun and soaking this up is everything Coach Beard represents and no team here will be more prepared than his."
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BRIAN HAMILTON (The Athletic): "What's so striking about Texas Tech is that they're always themselves, in every possible way, and how totally comfortable they are with that. Players, coaches, staff -- there's no pretense or play-acting. It's a team that is incredibly invested but one that also just doesn't give a single rip what anyone else thinks. I can't blame them for it. Being who they are, without apology, made history."
SETH GREENBERG (ESPN): "Texas Tech has an elite basketball program that is bigger than just this team. Chris Beard has built a culture of ownership, passion, winning and accountability. His energy is contagious and his players not only believe and trust him but know how much he cares and is in it with them. This team is mentally and physically tough as well as skilled. They execute on both sides of the court. Texas Tech is here to stay."Â
CARLOS SILVA (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal): "The fun thing about the Texas Tech men's basketball team is that what you see is what you get. Covering Chris Beard back during his days at Angelo State in Division II has given me a unique perspective in that I've seen him operate on the small and big stages. He's not the 'character' everyone seems to think he puts on during press conferences. As for the players, you will not find a more rambunctious or fun-loving group to cover as a media member. All have endearing characteristics and are happy to share their stories which makes it easy to allow readers and followers of college basketball latch on. The Red Raiders are playing their best basketball when it matters most and have embraced the extra media and national attention that has come with a run to the Final Four. But, all the while, still making time for the local media who has covered them throughout the season. It's certainly appreciated."
GREG BISHOP (Sports Illustrated): "I've covered a lot of teams -- NCAA, NFL and otherwise -- but never uncovered one quite like this year's basketball team at Texas Tech. From the itinerant coach to his poor chief of staff to the defensive guru to the hometown kid turned lottery pick to the first Italian player in the Final Four to the two grad transfers ... the Red Raiders 2018-19 season reads more like a movie. Ending still to-be-determined but a movie nonetheless."
GRANT HILL (CBS): "There is a spirit about this team that comes across on TV and watching them on tape where you can tell they enjoy playing together and for one another. The way they compete is fun to watch. Watching them practice the last two days I understand more why. They have energy, connectivity, communication and great leadership from their coach and players. It's a special group. Every group has a unique style and personality and Tech has created a real fun atmosphere to play for and for us to watch."
JIM NANTZ (CBS): "They are extremely well-prepared, smart and intense with their approach to every aspect of the game. From the eye test, as I prepare for the game by watching Texas Tech, this is a great basketball team capable of winning the championship."
BILL RAFTERY (CBS): "I've watched them now at three practices and the Kansas game which I bring up just to show their resiliency. They have a toughness about them that they've shown at multiple times throughout the season. You talk to coaches throughout the country and they don't want to play against Beard and his team because they shut you down and are efficient offensively. His players give him everything and it shows by the way they play together."
CHUCK CARLTON (Dallas Morning News): "I really thought before the tournament began that Texas Tech had a great chance to make a run because of the way it plays defense and the way it finished its regular season. This is a team that has experience and looked to be on a mission with a style that can be hard to play against. They have slowed down Buffalo, took Michigan out of its offense and then held back a very talented Gonzaga team by being the tougher team in the second half. Going into this, Michigan State has been a team a lot like Texas Tech and it should be a great test for both teams. The way Tech is playing right now you can't discount their chances of winning this game and even the national championship."
CHRIS LEVEL (TTSN): "It's been surreal to see these guys get to this point. Nothing fluky about them being here though, they beat the supposed best teams in their Region. Watching them have fun and soaking this up is everything Coach Beard represents and no team here will be more prepared than his."
— Texas Tech Basketball (@TexasTechMBB) April 4, 2019Â
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