Here is what Coach McCasland had to say following the Colorado victory.
Opening Statement:
"Yeah, let's give Coach Boyle and the Buffaloes a ton of credit for I thought, you know, short handed without their point guard and leading score to come in here and scrap the way they did, and give themselves, you know, an opportunity to win the game. But once again, you know, the United Supermarkets Arena is is amazing. I mean, our students were unreal. And just to be able to play, I don't ever want to take it for granted. And I'm so thankful to be a part of this, and for our for our guys to have that type of atmosphere at home, is just, it really is awesome. So, you know, we had moments where we were, we were solid defensively, but we didn't make them miss, and they did make some tough twos, and we did limit them from three, which we felt like would be the difference in the game if we could limit three point shots. But man, give them credit. I thought they made some tough twos, but our team did share the ball well. Tonight, we didn't turn it over, and we put ourselves in position to win the game, and got out of it without really any significant injuries."
Coach, have you seen an offense this season quite like Colorado's, because it looked like they were just sort of attacking inside with multiple post players, almost more like a traditional post type of offense. I don't really see anything like that?
"Yeah. You know, I mean, going into the game, when I spoke to you all, I said it was like, I felt like it was going to be, could we guard the post? I mean, could we be physical enough to keep them from scoring down there? But really, we just didn't want it to lead to foul trouble in Inside Out threes, you know, like, how do you leverage what you want to do? And man, the the baskets that Diop made, I mean, that those weren't easy shots. And I thought we did make it tough enough on Malone, and he's a great player, but then that got in there and made a couple tough ones. He banked one in so, I mean, honestly, they started making some pretty tough baskets down there. We only gave them a few that we felt like were Scout reports, error errors, but I was concerned about going into the game like, how could we guard it as a post, and how could we keep them pushed away where they didn't create foul pressure on us? And that's what I was saying to start this deal, give them credit, because I didn't think they backed down one second. I thought they consistently got after it and played physical and made it difficult on us to get away from it."
This is the third time this season you all hit 16 threes. What can you say about this group of guys from beyond the arc?
"Well, my favorite part about it is just it goes from a lot of different guys. I mean, 1234567, guys made threes, and Kerwin obviously making four, which was awesome. But chance started the game, I think three for three and then, or maybe it was not that, but it just felt like he was consistent, and the ball got shared. And when did the ball get shared? We had some great possessions with ball movement. Those were the ones I loved. We had a few where we stalled out and played one on one in the middle. But give them credit, because they switched and went zone and changed up defensive coverages a few times and kept us on our heels. But man, what a fun team to coach, because all of them are unselfish, and our team really does share the basketball and everybody shoot. So, I mean, how do you defend it? Especially JT is making threes."
Was it was your pattern, kind of conscious effort. Was the game plan, effort to kind of spread out those minutes like you guys did tonight?
"Yeah, we I definitely went into it trying to something a little quicker and trying to create that, you know, more opportunities, and spread out the minutes and not load anybody up with 30. But JT was going so well. And honestly, you know, d5 looked a little little like he wasn't moving as well, and so I left JT out there a little bit more and, and, but definitely was intentionally trying to get Kerwin and Kevin Overton more minutes so that we could, you know, disperse the minutes a little bit and try to try to stay somewhat healthy."
We talked about Kerwin, his ability, to kind of their willingness to stay away the whole time, but kind of go back to when you first got here. You got to convince guys to kind of stay with you. And he's one of the guy that's been, he's been here for three years a long time.
"Yeah, he's a unicorn. Yeah, man. What uh, I'll never forget. You know, when I took the job, I was basically sleeping in the office, and you know, the office at the Womble, which is the best practice facility in the in the world, which, thank you, Dusty Womble. Uh, there's no greater supporter that I can think of for college basketball than him. But you know, I'm up in that office, and I have a view of the court. And literally, Kerwin Walton was living in the gym. I'm not joking. He was up there as much as I was. It'd be 11 o'clock at night, 12 o'clock at night. I usually left about two, and then we would get there early, but he was just in there the entire time. And I can't tell you how many times I saw his shot go in. And if you go that, go back and look historically at the teams that we've coached, we've set the record for the most threes made in the season. We've had the single season record held by an individual to make the most threes in a season, too. So when I met with them and I saw all those shots going in, I'm like, dude, you will play here for us. I mean, like, why? Because I just value what you do, and if you'll work hard defensively, I'll coach you and help you get better. And he just looked at me like you got it, you know. And I do think he genuinely trusted me. And I do think when you take over jobs, it did take a while, when we got to the last day of the transfer portal closing, before he, like, made his official, official decision. But I had enough time to be around him, and he had enough time to be around me to know I didn't think anyone would ever outwork him. So if he has that kind of mentality, then I did feel like we could help him get better defensively, and that's where he was needed the greatest amount of growth. The way we move guys, and the way I give guys confidence, and the way we give guys confidence. I did think he would play for us genuinely, and he did, and it's a credit to him, honestly, it's a total credit to him for how hard he works and how much he genuinely is always ready because of that work. And nobody's worked harder than him, nobody in regards to a daily routine and being consistent. Kerwin Walton has made such an impact on me as a coach and I'm so thankful that he decided to stay and be a part of this and I'm hopeful that we get to reward him with one of the best, best seasons in Texas Tech basketball history, honestly I do and up to this point, it has been a great one, but I do think he knows that our best days can be ahead of us, and it's because of his work that we're in this position today. And I'm so thankful for he had for his family."
A couple days ago we spoke about what the team needed to do, as far as far as points of emphasis for the remaining games. And you answered with accountability. Two games have happened since then, the Kansas game and then tonight's game against Colorado. How do you feel the accountability is for this basketball team right now?
"Well, I will tell you. I mean, I think an example of maybe our guys leaning into this was JT on a wall up at the rim in the first half, and then coming up with rebound. Like he's starting to see like, Hey, I'm going to go put this into the game. That's what I tell them. Like, we practice wallets every day, like, JT, got to put this into the game, because there was a possession where they dribble baseline and they he reached and we fouled at KU and all you need to do is go wall up and he doesn't get a foul, you don't have to sit out, and we, we may end up making a miss in the rebound. And he's such a long, athletic guy, like, really get vertical, and he did it in the first half, and it was fun. We went to the time out. All those guys were cheering for each other, you know, cheering for JT, and it's a, you know, they're usually, they're used to me letting somebody have it in those time outs. And that was a celebration and a time out. It's just, I do think the accountability of practice is starting to bleed over into the game more consistently. And I did think us playing without fouling tonight would be important, and we did end up doing a decent job of that, other than the fact they did get to the free throw line 21 times, but they do get fouled, but they also fouled people and and, you know that part of it, I thought there was some accountability there, but we still need to lean into that as a team, where we get guys out there that are taking ownership to it and helping each other see the importance of holding each other accountable."
So last game of the regular season on the road against Arizona State, how do you continue as a team to win the games you're supposed to and you're expected to moving into more and more games in March?
"I think the focus just on the possessions and the things we can do better and over the course of the game, be problem solvers. And don't go out there and think that one result should impact anything, whether it's good or bad. And I do think being having that mindset of really playing every possession the way we need to as a team, not what's best for you as an individual, but what's best for us. Obviously, that's it. That's what I'm consumed with, and that's what our guys to be consumed with. And if you build enough of those possessions up, you end up winning the game. And if you didn't win the game, then somebody did some unbelievable stuff to do to beat you. And so, you know, I do think our guys are starting to see the value in that, and of playing this thing every possession like it means it's the most important possession you can play. And I know they think I'm crazy because of it, but now they're starting to see like you can separate yourself and win, win games. And we've had some experiences. We lost TCU, TCU, and our guys that bit us, you know, and I didn't do a good enough job in that game in preparing us. And they know that we can't have another one of those. And we got to take every position, because we started that TCU game and we were scoring, and we got up big, and I think our guys felt like, Oh, this is going to be fun. We're going to win this game. And then all sudden, they got offensive rebounds and bullied us and got offensive rebounds. And then all sudden it was like, No, this game is real. I mean, every game is physical and real. So I do think that the way you avoid losing games that you're you know that you should win, or by competing on every possession and letting that be the standard."
Opening Statement:
"Yeah, let's give Coach Boyle and the Buffaloes a ton of credit for I thought, you know, short handed without their point guard and leading score to come in here and scrap the way they did, and give themselves, you know, an opportunity to win the game. But once again, you know, the United Supermarkets Arena is is amazing. I mean, our students were unreal. And just to be able to play, I don't ever want to take it for granted. And I'm so thankful to be a part of this, and for our for our guys to have that type of atmosphere at home, is just, it really is awesome. So, you know, we had moments where we were, we were solid defensively, but we didn't make them miss, and they did make some tough twos, and we did limit them from three, which we felt like would be the difference in the game if we could limit three point shots. But man, give them credit. I thought they made some tough twos, but our team did share the ball well. Tonight, we didn't turn it over, and we put ourselves in position to win the game, and got out of it without really any significant injuries."
Coach, have you seen an offense this season quite like Colorado's, because it looked like they were just sort of attacking inside with multiple post players, almost more like a traditional post type of offense. I don't really see anything like that?
"Yeah. You know, I mean, going into the game, when I spoke to you all, I said it was like, I felt like it was going to be, could we guard the post? I mean, could we be physical enough to keep them from scoring down there? But really, we just didn't want it to lead to foul trouble in Inside Out threes, you know, like, how do you leverage what you want to do? And man, the the baskets that Diop made, I mean, that those weren't easy shots. And I thought we did make it tough enough on Malone, and he's a great player, but then that got in there and made a couple tough ones. He banked one in so, I mean, honestly, they started making some pretty tough baskets down there. We only gave them a few that we felt like were Scout reports, error errors, but I was concerned about going into the game like, how could we guard it as a post, and how could we keep them pushed away where they didn't create foul pressure on us? And that's what I was saying to start this deal, give them credit, because I didn't think they backed down one second. I thought they consistently got after it and played physical and made it difficult on us to get away from it."
This is the third time this season you all hit 16 threes. What can you say about this group of guys from beyond the arc?
"Well, my favorite part about it is just it goes from a lot of different guys. I mean, 1234567, guys made threes, and Kerwin obviously making four, which was awesome. But chance started the game, I think three for three and then, or maybe it was not that, but it just felt like he was consistent, and the ball got shared. And when did the ball get shared? We had some great possessions with ball movement. Those were the ones I loved. We had a few where we stalled out and played one on one in the middle. But give them credit, because they switched and went zone and changed up defensive coverages a few times and kept us on our heels. But man, what a fun team to coach, because all of them are unselfish, and our team really does share the basketball and everybody shoot. So, I mean, how do you defend it? Especially JT is making threes."
Was it was your pattern, kind of conscious effort. Was the game plan, effort to kind of spread out those minutes like you guys did tonight?
"Yeah, we I definitely went into it trying to something a little quicker and trying to create that, you know, more opportunities, and spread out the minutes and not load anybody up with 30. But JT was going so well. And honestly, you know, d5 looked a little little like he wasn't moving as well, and so I left JT out there a little bit more and, and, but definitely was intentionally trying to get Kerwin and Kevin Overton more minutes so that we could, you know, disperse the minutes a little bit and try to try to stay somewhat healthy."
We talked about Kerwin, his ability, to kind of their willingness to stay away the whole time, but kind of go back to when you first got here. You got to convince guys to kind of stay with you. And he's one of the guy that's been, he's been here for three years a long time.
"Yeah, he's a unicorn. Yeah, man. What uh, I'll never forget. You know, when I took the job, I was basically sleeping in the office, and you know, the office at the Womble, which is the best practice facility in the in the world, which, thank you, Dusty Womble. Uh, there's no greater supporter that I can think of for college basketball than him. But you know, I'm up in that office, and I have a view of the court. And literally, Kerwin Walton was living in the gym. I'm not joking. He was up there as much as I was. It'd be 11 o'clock at night, 12 o'clock at night. I usually left about two, and then we would get there early, but he was just in there the entire time. And I can't tell you how many times I saw his shot go in. And if you go that, go back and look historically at the teams that we've coached, we've set the record for the most threes made in the season. We've had the single season record held by an individual to make the most threes in a season, too. So when I met with them and I saw all those shots going in, I'm like, dude, you will play here for us. I mean, like, why? Because I just value what you do, and if you'll work hard defensively, I'll coach you and help you get better. And he just looked at me like you got it, you know. And I do think he genuinely trusted me. And I do think when you take over jobs, it did take a while, when we got to the last day of the transfer portal closing, before he, like, made his official, official decision. But I had enough time to be around him, and he had enough time to be around me to know I didn't think anyone would ever outwork him. So if he has that kind of mentality, then I did feel like we could help him get better defensively, and that's where he was needed the greatest amount of growth. The way we move guys, and the way I give guys confidence, and the way we give guys confidence. I did think he would play for us genuinely, and he did, and it's a credit to him, honestly, it's a total credit to him for how hard he works and how much he genuinely is always ready because of that work. And nobody's worked harder than him, nobody in regards to a daily routine and being consistent. Kerwin Walton has made such an impact on me as a coach and I'm so thankful that he decided to stay and be a part of this and I'm hopeful that we get to reward him with one of the best, best seasons in Texas Tech basketball history, honestly I do and up to this point, it has been a great one, but I do think he knows that our best days can be ahead of us, and it's because of his work that we're in this position today. And I'm so thankful for he had for his family."
A couple days ago we spoke about what the team needed to do, as far as far as points of emphasis for the remaining games. And you answered with accountability. Two games have happened since then, the Kansas game and then tonight's game against Colorado. How do you feel the accountability is for this basketball team right now?
"Well, I will tell you. I mean, I think an example of maybe our guys leaning into this was JT on a wall up at the rim in the first half, and then coming up with rebound. Like he's starting to see like, Hey, I'm going to go put this into the game. That's what I tell them. Like, we practice wallets every day, like, JT, got to put this into the game, because there was a possession where they dribble baseline and they he reached and we fouled at KU and all you need to do is go wall up and he doesn't get a foul, you don't have to sit out, and we, we may end up making a miss in the rebound. And he's such a long, athletic guy, like, really get vertical, and he did it in the first half, and it was fun. We went to the time out. All those guys were cheering for each other, you know, cheering for JT, and it's a, you know, they're usually, they're used to me letting somebody have it in those time outs. And that was a celebration and a time out. It's just, I do think the accountability of practice is starting to bleed over into the game more consistently. And I did think us playing without fouling tonight would be important, and we did end up doing a decent job of that, other than the fact they did get to the free throw line 21 times, but they do get fouled, but they also fouled people and and, you know that part of it, I thought there was some accountability there, but we still need to lean into that as a team, where we get guys out there that are taking ownership to it and helping each other see the importance of holding each other accountable."
So last game of the regular season on the road against Arizona State, how do you continue as a team to win the games you're supposed to and you're expected to moving into more and more games in March?
"I think the focus just on the possessions and the things we can do better and over the course of the game, be problem solvers. And don't go out there and think that one result should impact anything, whether it's good or bad. And I do think being having that mindset of really playing every possession the way we need to as a team, not what's best for you as an individual, but what's best for us. Obviously, that's it. That's what I'm consumed with, and that's what our guys to be consumed with. And if you build enough of those possessions up, you end up winning the game. And if you didn't win the game, then somebody did some unbelievable stuff to do to beat you. And so, you know, I do think our guys are starting to see the value in that, and of playing this thing every possession like it means it's the most important possession you can play. And I know they think I'm crazy because of it, but now they're starting to see like you can separate yourself and win, win games. And we've had some experiences. We lost TCU, TCU, and our guys that bit us, you know, and I didn't do a good enough job in that game in preparing us. And they know that we can't have another one of those. And we got to take every position, because we started that TCU game and we were scoring, and we got up big, and I think our guys felt like, Oh, this is going to be fun. We're going to win this game. And then all sudden, they got offensive rebounds and bullied us and got offensive rebounds. And then all sudden it was like, No, this game is real. I mean, every game is physical and real. So I do think that the way you avoid losing games that you're you know that you should win, or by competing on every possession and letting that be the standard."
