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Texas Tech basketball fans have had a little time to process the heartbreaking 84-79 loss to No. 1 seed Florida in the Elite Eight. It was a game that the Red Raiders had within their grasp, only to see it slip away in the final minutes. Losses like these sting, and they don’t go away overnight. But as the saying goes, time heals all wounds.
Fortunately for Texas Tech, this wasn’t a one-shot opportunity. This program isn’t built for fleeting moments of success—it’s built to last. And as painful as Saturday night was, there’s plenty of reason to believe that Red Raider basketball is only getting started under head coach Grant McCasland.
A Season to Celebrate, Despite the Heartbreak
The loss to Florida wasn’t just another defeat; it was a gut-wrenching end to what had been a special season. But Red Raider fans didn’t let that define the team’s journey.
Early Sunday morning, at 2:30 a.m., dozens of Tech supporters gathered at The Womble practice facility in Lubbock to welcome the team home. That type of support speaks volumes. Fans don’t show up in the middle of the night just for a nice season—they do it because they believe this is the beginning of something great, not the end of it.
The players, despite the tough loss, took time to sign autographs and take photos with fans. It was a moment of appreciation between a team that gave everything it had and a fanbase that knows just how special this group was.
The message was clear: Thank you for a great season. And let’s do it again—only better—next year.
Texas Tech Basketball: A Program That’s Here to Stay
It wasn’t long ago that Texas Tech was viewed as a program that only occasionally made noise in March. Sure, there were flashes of success—like the 2005 Sweet 16 run—but those moments felt like outliers rather than expectations.
That has changed.
Since 2018, Texas Tech has made four deep NCAA Tournament runs, including the 2019 national championship game appearance. Now, reaching the second weekend of the tournament isn’t seen as an accomplishment—it’s the standard.
And under Grant McCasland, there’s every reason to believe that Tech will continue to be a national contender.
McCasland’s track record speaks for itself:
Career winning percentage: .741 (including JUCO level)
Division I coaching record: 206-97 (.679)
Success at smaller programs: Won at Arkansas State and North Texas, schools not typically known for basketball excellence
McCasland is a proven winner. More importantly, he fits Texas Tech. He understands West Texas, embraces the culture, and looks like a coach who’s here for the long haul.
If Baylor’s Scott Drew can turn his program into a national power, why can’t McCasland do the same for Tech?
Why Texas Tech Can Be Even Better Next Season
In the modern era of college basketball, roster turnover is inevitable. The transfer portal and NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals have made it nearly impossible to predict exactly what any team’s roster will look like year to year.
That said, Texas Tech has the foundation for another elite team in 2025-26.
Key Players Who Could Return
Darrion Williams – Tech’s best player in the NCAA Tournament still has eligibility left, and given his style of play, he’s more likely to cash in on a strong NIL deal in Lubbock rather than jump to the NBA.
JT Toppin – The Big 12 Player of the Year could test the NBA Draft process, but a strong NIL offer might keep him at Tech for another season. If he returns, the Red Raiders have an All-American-level talent leading the way.
Christian Anderson – The freshman guard exceeded expectations this year and will be expected to take on an even bigger role in the backcourt next season.
Kevin Overton & Federiko Federiko – Overton showed flashes of brilliance, and Federiko might apply for an extra year of eligibility, which would give Tech a veteran presence in the paint.
If Tech retains those core pieces and supplements them with high-level transfers (which seems inevitable given the program’s resources), they could enter next season as one of the Big 12 favorites.
The Future is Bright in Lubbock
The loss to Florida will sting for a long time. But what makes it easier to swallow is the realization that Texas Tech basketball isn’t going anywhere.
This isn’t a program that just got lucky and made a run—this is a program that expects to compete for Elite Eights and Final Fours every year.
Yes, missing out on a Final Four in San Antonio will hurt. But unlike past years, this doesn’t feel like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity missed. It feels like the beginning of something bigger.
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