Grant McCasland gives message of appreciation and optimism following loss to NC State

The Texas Tech basketball team saw its season come to a close on Thursday night thanks to an 80-67 loss to NC State.  Shortly after, head coach Grant McCasland (along with Warren Washington and Joe Toussaint) met with the media to give his assessment of the game and the season. 

“I'm so thankful for Joe Toussaint and Warren Washington," he said, "two guys that trusted us and literally gave everything they had. I mean there's nothing else these guys could give our program than a chance to compete for a national championship and what they did in this league and the heart that we showed over the course of the season.

“And one thing about this team, we got down a lot. I mean, we got down in this game but I thought the last 2 ½…3 minutes just showed kind of the collective fight and grit of these guys and it was the way we did it all year long.” 

Naturally, McCasland was quick to give credit to the victors.  He gave plenty of praise to the Wolfpack for the way they played.

“Give NC State credit. I just thought they were tougher than we were. I thought Middlebrooks, Diarra their rebounding their physicality, and then the combo of DJ and DJ scoring inside and out I mean just what a great team and they kept us on our heels.

“Their paint points were the difference in the game and we just thought they thought they beat us and give them credit, that's a great team and it's a hard way to finish your season but I couldn't say enough about these two men [Washington and Toussaint] and our team and how much I love them and how much they love each other.”

McCasland then had some words of encouragement for Texas Tech fans.  He said he loves what is being built in Lubbock and that he believes that the program will compete for a national championship. 

“I mean just the grit that this group continued to show, I just love.  And guys like Darrion Willaims I think moving forward are really going to be the foundation of what we do and what he did tonight and showed even though he was beat up showed kind of the heart that I think this program will have.

“We got to be better defensively and we'll continue to improve and do things to improve our program but the people that invest in it, Red Raiders across the country, our homecourt advantage I just believe honestly we'll compete for a national championship and I believe it'll be soon.  

"I love the the administration, I love the students at Texas Tech, I love the community of Lubbock and our family loves it and I can't be more excited about where we're going and what we're going to do and I do believe that the best days are ahead of us and I'm thankful for Joe and Warren and their investment in them trusting us because they set the foundation to move this forward.”