Red Raiders Speak At Big 12 Basketball Media Days

LUBBOCK - One of the telling signs that a new season is coming is the annual Big 12 Media Days, and for Texas Tech men's basketball, it was jam-packed with interviews.

The Red Raiders took the stage on Tuesday with a lineup consisting of head coach Grant McCasland and players JT Toppin, Darrion Williams, and Donovan Atwell.

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The last two are significant, as Williams and Atwell have been dealing with eligibility questions throughout the summer, and just recently got some kind of temporary closure.

Interestingly enough, during the media day Q&A, there were no questions regarding eligibility for either player. 

We got to hear from Grant McCasland on the return of Darrion Williams, why he wanted to come back and play for Texas Tech.

"He and I are really close, and he's probably the best coach on the floor that I've ever been around," McCasland said. "After the season was over, he was rehabbing in Lubbock, and he came back to Texas Tech because he wanted to get his degree from Texas Tech."

Williams got his chance to speak on the matter right after and gave some more insight into his return.

"For starters, I think Coach just brings the best out of me as a basketball player, and like he said, we've had a lot of heart-to-hearts, and it's all real and authentic," Williams said. "I also wanted a chance to play with JT again; we talked a lot during the year, and I'll tell him all the time there's nothing like playing with you."

Williams and Toppin played one season together in 24-25. During this season, both were named First Team All-Big 12 and led the Red Raiders in scoring during the NCAA Tournament.

After Williams, the topic shifted to the health and return of Toppin, who tore his ACL in a February matchup against Arizona State. 

"I'm right on schedule, and where I need to be, so I've really just been taking it slow," Toppin said. "Coach Mac and the program and coaching staff have been supporting me through this whole process, and I feel like I'll be coming back very, very soon."

In a later interview with CBS Sports, Toppin would tell college basketball analyst Gary Parrish that he expects to be back on the court by conference play, which for Texas Tech starts in late December.

For Atwell, he shed some light on the difference of this years roster versus last year.

"I would say depth; I feel like, through and through, we're deep on this team, we all know how to play basketball the right way," Atwell said. "We also have a lot of experience, a lot of older guys that can help lead this team, coaching-wise."

Experience is a key factor for Texas Tech, as this year's team features eight players who have played in the NCAA tournament, six of whom are seniors. 

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The Red Raiders will put this experience to the test with their last dress rehearsal on Friday against #23 Kentucky in Lexington.

From there, the season tips off on Nov. 2 with the home opener at United Supermarkets Arena against Jackson State at 6:30 p.m. CT.