Texas Tech’s Grant McCasland Reflects on Upset Victory Over BYU

The Texas Tech Red Raiders secured an impressive 84-71 victory over the BYU Cougars, overcoming a nine-point deficit in the final minutes of the match. This win, achieved at the United Supermarkets Arena, marks Texas Tech’s third consecutive triumph over BYU and hands the Cougars their first conference loss of the season.

McCasland’s Reflections on the Game

Texas Tech coach Grant McCasland praised his team’s tenacity and defensive prowess after the game. “It was obviously a super talented BYU team who had us on the ropes,” McCasland remarked. He emphasized the electric energy in the arena and how his players maintained their belief in a comeback. “Our guys believed we were going to win the game, but we had to do it in a very defensive way,” he added.

Defensive Dominance in the Final Minutes

In the last ten minutes of the game, Texas Tech mounted a formidable defense, limiting BYU to just 10 points while scoring 32. McCasland noted the outstanding effort from players like JT Toppin and Christian Anderson, who collectively scored 49 points. “I just love seeing JT Toppin and Christian Anderson compete like they did defensively down the stretch,” he said.

Bouncing Back for BYU

BYU’s freshman star, AJ Dybantsa, faced challenges during the game, finishing with only 13 points from 17 attempts. McCasland, who had coached Dybantsa during the FIBA U19 World Cup, expressed confidence in the young player’s potential. “AJ’s really good; he’ll bounce back,” he remarked.

Looking Ahead

The victory improved Texas Tech’s overall record to 14-4 and their Big 12 standing to 4-1. Coach McCasland understands the importance of this win as the team prepares for a challenging schedule featuring opponents like Baylor and Houston in the upcoming weeks. He stressed the need to stay grounded and focused on core defensive strategies.

• Upcoming Opponents:
  • Baylor
  • Houston
  • UCF
  • Kansas
• Texas Tech Record: 14-4 overall, 4-1 in Big 12 play

As Texas Tech moves forward, McCasland hopes the victory over BYU will reinforce the team’s commitment to its defensive principles. “In our league, you have to double down on what puts you in a position to win,” he concluded.