Texas Tech University Athletics
McCasland previews matchup at Colorado
January 09, 2026 | Men's Basketball
LUBBOCK – Grant McCasland met with the local media to preview Texas Tech's road matchup against Colorado following the team's loss at No. 7 Houston earlier in the week. McCasland and the Red Raiders play at 6 p.m. (CST) on Saturday in Boulder against a Colorado team which is currently 2-0 in Big 12 play after earning a win over Utah on Wednesday night. The Buffaloes are 9-1 at home this season following that win. Below are selected quotes from the media availability to preview the matchup.
On playing at Colorado after Houston: "It was good to get back to practice. We need it. Obviously, playing in a physical game at Houston it's always a recovery game because it takes everything we've got to win it. We made strides in the right direction in the game. They are the best team in our league since I've been here and it was an outstanding college game that we didn't finish. We can play better than we did and we can improve. In this league, you better get ready for the next one. It's the most important one on the schedule. We're playing an undefeated Colorado team now and we better be ready. They are playing with great offensive pace. They have great scorers and are difficult to defend."
On taking on the Buffaloes: "I think their guard play and scoring is awesome offensively. I think they went through stretches last year when they had difficulties scoring. It feels like this team has more weapons. I like who they are putting out there and they do have experience coming back. That helps when you have experience at the rim and their new guys having college experience. They also have a freshman who is tremendous. You can see their confidence in the way they're playing on offense. You really have to be great on every possession defensively in order to have a chance to win at Colorado."
On challenges Colorado presents: "They're probably one of the biggest teams in college basketball. Their size at the wing and forward spots and overall length and size is tremendous. You've got to beat them from your activity and how well you move. How well you hit first. Their leverage gives you a really hard time. It will be a team rebounding game with our guards and we'll have to hit first and be the more active team."
On playing on the road: "We've had one of the best road records since we've been here. Those road games are dogfights, street fights. You have to be really competitive. You have to play as hard as you can play on every possession. The momentum is rarely in your favor and you have to create your own momentum. The way you do that is with extra effort plays. I thought we did that well at Houston but you have to ramp it up to win them… It brings your attention to how difficult it is to win in this league. You play in what's been the toughest road environment in our league the past couple of years right out of the gate… It was good for us to see that and see what it's going to take to do what we're going to need to do."
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.
On playing at Colorado after Houston: "It was good to get back to practice. We need it. Obviously, playing in a physical game at Houston it's always a recovery game because it takes everything we've got to win it. We made strides in the right direction in the game. They are the best team in our league since I've been here and it was an outstanding college game that we didn't finish. We can play better than we did and we can improve. In this league, you better get ready for the next one. It's the most important one on the schedule. We're playing an undefeated Colorado team now and we better be ready. They are playing with great offensive pace. They have great scorers and are difficult to defend."
On taking on the Buffaloes: "I think their guard play and scoring is awesome offensively. I think they went through stretches last year when they had difficulties scoring. It feels like this team has more weapons. I like who they are putting out there and they do have experience coming back. That helps when you have experience at the rim and their new guys having college experience. They also have a freshman who is tremendous. You can see their confidence in the way they're playing on offense. You really have to be great on every possession defensively in order to have a chance to win at Colorado."
On challenges Colorado presents: "They're probably one of the biggest teams in college basketball. Their size at the wing and forward spots and overall length and size is tremendous. You've got to beat them from your activity and how well you move. How well you hit first. Their leverage gives you a really hard time. It will be a team rebounding game with our guards and we'll have to hit first and be the more active team."
On playing on the road: "We've had one of the best road records since we've been here. Those road games are dogfights, street fights. You have to be really competitive. You have to play as hard as you can play on every possession. The momentum is rarely in your favor and you have to create your own momentum. The way you do that is with extra effort plays. I thought we did that well at Houston but you have to ramp it up to win them… It brings your attention to how difficult it is to win in this league. You play in what's been the toughest road environment in our league the past couple of years right out of the gate… It was good for us to see that and see what it's going to take to do what we're going to need to do."
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.
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