Texas Tech's growth plan

Good morning. Did you raise a toast to Sister Jean yesterday? The Loyola Chicago legend turned 105 (!!). Maybe we’ll finally have flying cars for the morning commute when I’m 105.

Let’s get to the news.

1. What’s McCasland have in store for an encore?

Grant McCasland’s first season in the Big 12 certainly exceeded expectations. Picked to finish 8th in the preseason coaches’ poll, the Red Raiders logged wins over Baylor, TCU and Kansas (by 29!) and finished tied for third.

At 23-11 overall, they snagged a 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament where they caught the middle of NC State’s remarkable March run from ACC opener to Final Four. A solid season for McCasland, a coach accustomed to success in his previous program, North Texas.

Perhaps more surprising was Texas Tech’s approach. McCasland’s teams previously emphasized defense and milked every second of the clock. The Red Raiders ped things up (slightly) and delivered a Top 30 offense behind shooters at nearly every position.

So what’s he do for an encore?

He quickly reloaded his roster — star guard Pop Isaacs headed to Creighton, the biggest loss of six Tech transfers — with a new point guard (Elijah Hawkins), athleticism (JT Toppin), size (Federiko Federiko) and a capable wing (Kevin Overton).

Then he took off to help coach Team USA. Specifically, as an assistant for the US at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup.

The US Basketball team rolled to gold behind Darius Acuff, Mikel Brown Jr. and Jasper Johnson, all of whom are class of 2025 prospects. Some of them have committed already and only one or two even had Texas Texas on their radar. But that wasn’t the point for McCasland. He’s in this for the long haul.

"What a remarkable opportunity, really," McCasland told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. "Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it'll be for the next two summers at this point — hopefully with the under-18s this summer and under-19s next summer. What I'll tell you is is the way I look at this genuinely is the opportunity to serve and love the people that are part of USA basketball, and how do we build this and continue to grow?

"To be able to be part of something for just short of a month will be great no matter what happens moving forward because those relationships, I think, cultivate and you're able to be around great basketball minds and great basketball players."

That seems to be the same approach he’s taking with Tech. As Rob Dauster and John Fanta discuss, the Red Raiders didn’t bring in any big-time names, but he’s got a roster with the right pieces and players for another solid Big 12 season.

Now, did Dauster go too hard on his grade? Yeah. I’m more inline with Fanta’s thinking; this is a squad built for team success, and should thrive because of their connectivity and shooting. Stars aren’t necessary.

It might not always feel that way in the Big 12 this season — the top of the league is loaded — but a Top 6 finish should be doable given the uncertainty among the bottom half of the league. And that’s a pretty good second act.

2. Matchups and times for two notable events

Get out those calendars. It’s time to make plans for fall.

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