Grant McClasland on the Future of Texas Tech Basketball: ‘We’ll Compete for a National Championship Soon’
Grant McCasland’s triumphant first season with Texas Tech ended abruptly on Thursday night. The sixth-seeded Red Raiders dropped their first-round contest to 11-seed NC State, 80-67.
At 23-11, Texas Tech was much better than most expected them to be after a tumultuous offseason, and McCasland’s program appears to be one to watch in the coming years.
With some young players, such as Darrion Williams, set to return to Lubbock next season, the future is bright for TTU.
Williams, who suffered a foot injury less than a week ago in the Big 12 Tournament, had a gritty performance, churning out 10 points, seven boards, six assists, and no turnovers in 40 minutes. It’s that kind of effort that McCasland believes will make them special.
“Guys like Darrion, moving forward, are really going to be the foundation of what we do,” McCasland said. “What he did tonight showed — even though he was beat up — the heart I think this program will have.”
But McCasland sees more than Big 12 Championships in his team’s windshield. He’s dreaming much bigger.
“I just believe, honestly, we’ll compete for a national championship, and I believe it will be soon,” McCasland said.
There’s a good chance that Williams won’t be the only guy McCasland has at his disposal again in 2024-25. Texas Tech’s leading scorer, Pop Isaacs, along with sixth-man Chance McMillian, should return, and Lubbock has shown the ability to be a transfer portal destination. A couple of big fish in the portal and McCasland’s prediction could hold some serious water.
Could Texas Tech be a dark horse national title contender next season? That might be a little premature, but in 2025-26, there could certainly be an argument.
