Texas Tech University Athletics
McCasland Media Session
May 21, 2024 | Men's Basketball
LUBBOCK – It's May 21 and the press conference room in the arena is filled with reporters from television, newspapers and radio ready to talk about Texas Tech basketball with head coach Grant McCasland. Two months have passed since the Red Raiders played NC State on March 21 in the NCAA Tournament and since that time there has been a steady stream of news from the program regarding player and staff movement. McCasland, who led Tech to 23 wins and the program's 20th appearance in the national tournament in his first season, is now set to travel to Colorado where he will help coach the USA Basketball U18 team. Before leaving for the team's training camp in Colorado Springs and then competition in Argentina, he met with press members to address multiple topics of interest leading into the summer months.  Â
Below are selected quotes and full video from the McCasland media session. Â Â
On the past two months or roster configuration:
"We've had our hands full since the season ended but also a great opportunity to secure our roster – the guys who return and add some great pieces to our team. I'm really excited about our team and where our program is going. At Texas Tech, the standard is to compete for championships and to put ourselves in a position to win a national championship. I'm really excited to get everyone to campus and get to work."
On building the roster for the 2024-25 season:
"The thing I've enjoyed the most about the Spring is the belief and excitement with our current roster. It took us some time to just make sure that everyone who was staying understood the direction we wanted to go. As we started to recruit new team members, I just loved the conviction. I thought our best recruiters were our players. We have a tremendous staff, but the belief and excitement from the current roster is the biggest difference. They know what is expected and what fits our team. They have been the biggest resource in our ability to get the right guys here."
Selected quotes on adding assistant coach Jeff Linder to the coaching staff:
"I couldn't be more thrilled to have Coach Linder join us. We all have relationships with him prior to this… He is one of the best basketball minds there is. Offensively, specifically, but also in scouting and the game. We were able to convince him to come to Tech and be a part of winning a national championship. These days in college basketball, your staff has to be connected. People have to love the game, but you also have to trust each other. I trust him with everything."
On coaching USA Basketball this summer:
"It's a remarkable opportunity. It'll be for the next two summers. Under 18 this summer. Under 19 next. It's an opportunity to serve. We want to help grow USA Basketball. I'm really thankful for this opportunity. There's nothing like representing your country. It's a real honor. An opportunity to help other people get better. That's where my heart is."
To catch up on Texas Tech news, click the links: McCasland – USA Basketball; Jeff Linder (hiring); Elijah Hawkins (signing); Federiko Federiko (signing); Kevin Overton (signing); Christian Anderson (signing), Leon Horner III (signing); Big 12-Big East Battle
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Below are selected quotes and full video from the McCasland media session. Â Â
On the past two months or roster configuration:
"We've had our hands full since the season ended but also a great opportunity to secure our roster – the guys who return and add some great pieces to our team. I'm really excited about our team and where our program is going. At Texas Tech, the standard is to compete for championships and to put ourselves in a position to win a national championship. I'm really excited to get everyone to campus and get to work."
On building the roster for the 2024-25 season:
"The thing I've enjoyed the most about the Spring is the belief and excitement with our current roster. It took us some time to just make sure that everyone who was staying understood the direction we wanted to go. As we started to recruit new team members, I just loved the conviction. I thought our best recruiters were our players. We have a tremendous staff, but the belief and excitement from the current roster is the biggest difference. They know what is expected and what fits our team. They have been the biggest resource in our ability to get the right guys here."
Selected quotes on adding assistant coach Jeff Linder to the coaching staff:
"I couldn't be more thrilled to have Coach Linder join us. We all have relationships with him prior to this… He is one of the best basketball minds there is. Offensively, specifically, but also in scouting and the game. We were able to convince him to come to Tech and be a part of winning a national championship. These days in college basketball, your staff has to be connected. People have to love the game, but you also have to trust each other. I trust him with everything."
On coaching USA Basketball this summer:
"It's a remarkable opportunity. It'll be for the next two summers. Under 18 this summer. Under 19 next. It's an opportunity to serve. We want to help grow USA Basketball. I'm really thankful for this opportunity. There's nothing like representing your country. It's a real honor. An opportunity to help other people get better. That's where my heart is."
To catch up on Texas Tech news, click the links: McCasland – USA Basketball; Jeff Linder (hiring); Elijah Hawkins (signing); Federiko Federiko (signing); Kevin Overton (signing); Christian Anderson (signing), Leon Horner III (signing); Big 12-Big East Battle
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