There are multiple variables that crucial affect next year's Red Raiders.
LUBBOCK, Texas - It's time to transition into the offseason for Grant McCasland and Texas Tech men's basketball following a second-round defeat to Alabama in the NCAA Tournament.
The Red Raiders finished the season 23-11 overall and made their third trip to the March Madness bracket under McCasland. Along the way, Texas Tech had a handful of memorable wins, including topping Duke at Madison Square Garden, getting an overtime win over top-ranked Arizona in Tucson, and beating No. 6 Houston at home during a snow storm. Overall, the Red Raiders had four top-10 wins - a single-season program best - to show for another contending season.
Individually, Tech was led by two All-Americans in forward JT Toppin and Christian Anderson. Senior forward Donovan Atwell also grew into a fan favorite as one of the best spot-up shooters in the country.
"I wouldn't want to do it with anybody else," McCasland said, via Tech Athletics. "We had some great moments and games. I just love those guys and I'm thankful for them. Thankful for the way they competed all the way through some tough times. It's always worth it to give your whole heart to them. I told them it's always worth it to give your whole heart to each other. These guys are amazing and a lot of amazing things happened this year that we'll be able to look back on with a lot of gratitude."
While McCasland wasn't able to reach the Elite Eight like the 2024-25 team, he was still able to make program history this year. The 2025-26 campaign marked the first time ever Texas Tech was ranked in each weekly AP Top 25 poll throughout the season.
But what's next?
We're currently still early in the process of turning the page to 2026-27, but there are signs that there could be major things impacting the next personnel. It all starts with the status of the big man in the middle.
JT Toppin Injury Recovery Could Sideline Him All Season
The Red Raiders won't be at full strength until the star forward returns from his torn ACL suffered on Feb. 18. He had surgery in early March, meaning he could be out for the entire next season.
Major knee surgeries typically sideline a player for a full calendar year from their operation date, barring remarkable rehab and healing. Toppin scheduling his surgery near the beginning of the offseason could be a strategy to let him recover all of next season and be ready to enter training camp ahead of the spring and 2027-28 season.
If Toppin remains in Lubbock, he'd have a medical redshirt year and be classified as a senior the following season. It will be important to have him on the sideline, in the locker room, film sessions, and around the team in general to build camaraderie, as well, if he's not on the floor next year.
Christian Anderson Faces Decision On Professional Jump
Will Anderson test his NBA Draft eligibility? Or could the standout junior return to Lubbock to lead the Red Raiders offense and build on his best season yet?
Or ... could he enter the transfer portal?
We've seen players keep all options open by enter the portal while also testing the NBA waters leading up to the summer-time draft. But if that's the case, with how fast things operate in the NIL era, Texas Tech could be forced into a position to act as if Anderson will be moving on.
No one in the program would want that to happen, but for now, a major spot on the roster depends on his upcoming decision.
This Year's Transfer Portal & Freshman Cycle
As has been the case over the last handful of years, Texas Tech - not to mention nearly every major-conference team - has a roster turnover that needs to be prepared for in the transfer portal.
It means that McCasland will be scouring the market as soon as possible to build out next year's team and replace pieces that may be seeking another home.
Another factor to consider is the incoming freshman class, where McCasland currently has 4-star shooting guard Dakari Spear signed and likely entering a major offensive role, reminiscent of Jaylen Petty's contributions as a freshman this past year.
Is McCasland Locked In in Lubbock?
While this is all purely speculatory, the North Carolina job just opened up prior to the official beginning of the offseason, and I'd bet every major-conference coach would consider moving to Raleigh if given the opportunity.
There aren't many coaches who would get that call in the first place, but McCasland could certainly be one of them.
Outside of him being rumored as a "contender" for the job, McCasland's immediate success and Lubbock, his connections with the booming NIL initiative Texas Tech is growing, and how his son now playing hoops at Divison II Lubbock Christian just down the road, make it hard to imagine the coach exiting this situation.
But like many of these variables entering the offseason, we'll just have to wait and see.
