Is No. 12 Texas Tech basketball Final Four caliber? Baylor’s Scott Drew seems to think so

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Scott Drew knows a thing or two about what it takes to be a highly successful team. The Baylor head coach has led the Bears to the national championship before, and could’ve had two to his credit were it not for that pesky worldwide pandemic.

Drew also knew he was about to say something Grant McCasland wouldn’t be too happy about. Not that the Texas Tech basketball coach has any ill will toward his former boss for uttering such a thought, but McCasland would rather not have this kind of talk with so much of the regular season to go.

“I’m not trying to put any pressure on them or anything,” Drew said following Tuesday’s game in United Supermarkets Arena, “but they’re good enough. … There’s probably four teams in the Big 12, maybe five, (that) could go to a Final Four if they got hot. And Texas Tech might be the best right now in the country, in the Big 12.”

HOW IT HAPPENED: Texas Tech basketball vs. Baylor score today: No. 12 Red Raiders beat Baylor for 7th straight win

For a coach that loves to downplay achievements as much as possible, avoiding hyperbole like the plague, McCasland gritted his teeth a bit when asked about Drew’s comments after Texas Tech’s 73-59 win over the Bears.

“It’s easy for him to say,” McCasland said with a smile. “He likes putting the squeeze on people like that. He’s one of the most encouraging people I’ve every been around in my life. He’s always positive, and is always telling you what you can really do.

“We’re not thinking about anything other than winning the next one and trying to get better as a team. That’s the truth.”

Feb 4, 2025; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Darrion Williams (5) shoots over Baylor Bears Josh Ojianwuna (17) in the first half at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images

McCasland is right to downplay the compliment, even if Drew isn’t the only person starting to see the Red Raiders (18-4, 9-2) in a much more positive light.

Texas Tech has gained plenty of believers in the…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/no-12-texas-tech-basketball-100931030.html

Author : Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

Publish date : 2025-02-05 10:09:00

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