Texas Tech University Athletics
McCasland previews season opener
November 03, 2025 | Men's Basketball
LUBBOCK – Texas Tech head coach Grant McCasland addressed the local media to preview the season opener against Lindenwood – speaking about the potential of the No. 10-ranked Red Raiders and what he's looking forward to about opening the season. Tech tips off against the Lions at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at United Supermarkets Arena and will also play Sam Houston at 7 p.m. on Friday. The full video of the press conference is linked above and is also below a few select quotes from his media session.
"It's wild to think we're already starting basketball. It's here and we're excited. We've got a long way to go to get to where we want to go as a team. We've got a lot of improvements that need to be made, but I love this group. I love our team, our competitiveness and who we are on and off the floor. We're excited to get the season started. It's about finding a way. It's an everyday mentality. I've learned that you have to have an approach that everyone has to be ready to play. There's no phasing in to this. I'm challenging our entire program to be ready. I think we have good depth."
On the potential of the team: "We've got obvious offensive talent that returned. When you return the player of the year and a guy who was on the all-freshman team. I think we've put together the right mix of offensive players. Our biggest area is how much better can we get defensively. This group has embraced that. It's the continuity in practice to play against each other to get better. We haven't pushed ourselves to a level yet where I feel like I know exactly who we are. I love our talent, we just have to improve defensively to get to where we want to get."
On playing Lindenwood: "They've got a good team and enough talent that can concern you. They have bring back some guys who can really play. Our focus is how are we getting better every day. That's my mindset. We respect Lindenwood and know they're going to bring a lot of areas that will make us better."
Follow the Red Raiders: Keep up with Texas Tech men's basketball news at TexasTech.com and at the team's social media on Instagram, X and Facebook.
