Texas Tech University Athletics
McCasland previews Oklahoma State matchup
January 02, 2026 | Men's Basketball
LUBBOCK – On the eve of Big 12 play, Texas Tech head coach Grant McCasland stood on the court after practice and talked with a group of local media to preview the conference opener against Oklahoma State which is set for noon on Saturday at United Supermarkets Arena. The No. 15 Red Raiders (10-3) are on a three-game winning streak and bring a 7-0 home record into the matchup against the Cowboys (12-1) who are also on a three-game winning streak. McCasland talked about his team's progress through a tough non-conference schedule and the matchup against Oklahoma State that begins an 18-round fight. Click the link above to watch the full press conference or read through selected quotes from the media availability below.
On the Red Raiders going into Big 12 play after 13 non-conference games: "I would say our team has benefited from a difficult non-conference schedule. I don't know if anyone is ever prepared for Big 12 play, but you've better be prepared for a grind. It's going to be a fight. You don't have to be perfect at the beginning of this. What you do have to have is a real, legit competitiveness where you say how can we go out and scrap on every possession. That's what I want our mindset to be. The more you think you're ready is the more you can get popped on the nose and be looking around wondering how it happened. I want our team to have an improvement mindset that we come out here everyday to get better. That's what this team is seeing the benefits of. We didn't say we beat Duke and had it all figured out. We're just scratching the surface. Our intent was how well can we fight every day and our team is believing in that aspect."
On matching up with Oklahoma State: "Their pace of play and physicality at every possession. From point guard to forward, they are an aggressive team with multiple guys who can play and score in different ways. It's the pace they flood you with offensively and defensively. Their attack mentality is impressive. We'll have to match that effort."
On opening Big 12 play at home: "We're really excited to start Big 12 play at the USA. Collectively in the way we show up and Red Raider fans show up, I'm excited for this building to be full and for this journey together. I know it's important to play well at home and our fans and students are such a huge part of that. Without the multitude of students we're used to, we'll need everyone to fill this section and make sure it's rowdy. Truth be told, the games we haven't had success in conference at home has been without our students here. We need everybody in the building to give us the edge to win conference games."
On the team's mentality entering conference play: "I think this time of year, what you see is can you continue to get player leadership in how we compete. It's one thing to say what's important and another to hear our guys communicate to each other. That's where we've made the biggest improvement. I don't look at it to be perfect, but what's our intent on every possession. Since we've found a group of guys we're going with right now, I think they've started communicating with each other and we've seen consistent improvement in the way we're competing."
VIDEO RESOURCES: Define Yourself | TTW EP1 | TTW EP2 | TTW EP3 | TTW EP4 | CBS Home Court
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