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The Texas Tech Red Raiders basketball team has had a successful history, winning 13 regular-season conference championships and making 21 appearances in the NCAA tournament as of the 2024-2025 season. The team has experienced both highs and lows, with notable achievements such as reaching their first-ever national title game in 2021, as well as setbacks like a losing streak in the early 2000s due to player ineligibility and NCAA violations. The Red Raiders play in NCAA Division I and are a charter member of the Big 12 Conference. With a talented freshman transfer, Izaiah Pasha, considering Texas Tech among his top choices, and a successful 2024-25 season, the team is looking to maintain its national relevance. Head coach Grant McCasland has received praise for his leadership, with commentators highlighting the team's defensive prowess and offensive teamwork.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Team Name | Texas Tech Red Raiders |
| University | Texas Tech University |
| Division | NCAA Division I |
| Conference | Big 12 Conference |
| Regular-Season Conference Championships | 13 |
| NCAA Tournament Appearances | 21 |
| Home Arena | United Supermarkets Arena |
| Head Coach | Grant McCasland |
| Record Points Scored in a Game | 167 |
| Previous Record Points Scored in a Game | 128 |
| Former Head Coach | Mark Adams |
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What You'll Learn
Texas Tech Red Raiders basketball team history
The Texas Tech Red Raiders basketball team has represented Texas Tech University in basketball since the team and university were founded in 1925. The team competes in NCAA Division I and has been a charter member of the Big 12 Conference since its first season in 1996.
The team's inaugural game was a 37–25 loss to Daniel Baker College. After two more losses, the team clinched their first-ever victory, beating Sul Ross University 35–21. The team has had its ups and downs over the years. During the 2005/06 season, for example, the team finished with a losing record of 15–17. However, during coach Bob Knight's first six years at Texas Tech, the Red Raiders won 126 games, an average of 21 wins per season. On New Year's Day 2007, Texas Tech recorded a 70–68 defeat of New Mexico to give Knight his 880th career victory, making him the highest-winning coach in men's college basketball history.
In 2011, Billy Gillispie was named head coach, but he resigned after one season amid health concerns and allegations of mistreating players. In 2014, Tubby Smith was named the new men's basketball coach and led the team to its first upset over a top 25 opponent since 2009. In 2019, the Red Raiders made their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2012. As of the 2024–2025 season, the team has won 13 regular-season conference championships and made 21 appearances in the NCAA tournament.
The team has also experienced some setbacks. During the Raiders' first-round game in the inaugural Big 12 basketball tournament, it was discovered that two players had played the entire season while academically ineligible. Texas Tech withdrew from postseason consideration and forfeited its entire conference schedule. An investigation revealed massive violations in men's basketball and nine other sports, resulting in the NCAA stripping Tech of its two NCAA tournament wins in 1996 and docking it nine scholarships over four years.
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The team's performance in recent seasons
The Texas Tech Red Raiders basketball team has had a rich history, with varying degrees of success over the years. In recent seasons, the team has experienced a mix of strong finishes and early exits, but they have consistently remained competitive in the highly challenging Big 12 Conference.
In the 2021-22 season, the team finished with a respectable 23-12 record, securing a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive year. However, their tournament run was short-lived as they suffered a first-round exit. The team's performance was somewhat inconsistent throughout the season, with notable wins against highly ranked opponents, but also several unexpected losses. Despite this, the team showed resilience and fought hard in a highly competitive conference.
The 2020-21 season was unprecedented due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Red Raiders still managed to put together a solid campaign. They finished with an 18-11 record and earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament, where they reached the Second Round. This season was marked by several impressive wins, including a memorable victory over a top-ranked team, showcasing the team's potential to compete with the nation's best.
The 2019-20 season was historic for Texas Tech basketball. The team finished with a stellar 18-13 record in regular season, and went on an impressive run in the Big 12 Tournament, reaching the championship game. This momentum carried into the NCAA Tournament, where they advanced to the National Championship game for the first time in program history. Although they fell just short of winning it all, this season cemented Texas Tech's status as a force to be reckoned with on the national stage.
In the 2018-19 season, the Red Raiders continued their upward trajectory, finishing with a strong 27-7 record. They secured a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive year and advanced to the Second Round. This season built upon the successes of the previous year, with the team consistently performing well in a highly competitive conference.
Overall, Texas Tech basketball has maintained a high level of competitiveness in recent seasons, consistently appearing in the NCAA Tournament and even reaching the National Championship game in 2019. While there have been some early exits, the team has also shown the ability to rise to the occasion and compete with the best teams in the nation. The program has a strong foundation and a bright future, with the potential to make deep runs in future tournaments.
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The team's head coaches
The Texas Tech Red Raiders basketball team has had 17 head coaches since its inaugural 1925-26 season. The first head coach was Grady Higginbotham, who started and led the programme until Victor Payne replaced him after two seasons. The team's current head coach is Grant McCasland, who joined in 2023 after coaching at North Texas from 2017. McCasland is a Christian and is married with four children.
Berl Huffman was head coach from 1935 to 1942 and again from 1946 to 1947. He garnered a record of 121-67 over eight seasons. Huffman's successor, Polk Robison, was the only other person to serve as head coach in two different periods. Robison led Texas Tech to their first NCAA tournament appearance in 1956 and a three-year conference championship winning streak. He remained in the position until 1961, leading his teams to 254 wins and 195 losses.
In 2002, Hall of Fame coach Bob Knight was hired. During Knight's six-year tenure, Texas Tech received five postseason bids, participating in four NCAA tournaments and one National Invitation Tournament (NIT). On March 7, 2011, Texas Tech terminated Knight's contract as head coach. His son, Pat Knight, then became Texas Tech's 13th head coach. However, after failing to make the NCAA tournament and compiling a 16-42 Big 12 Conference record over three and a half seasons, Texas Tech terminated Pat Knight's contract as well.
On March 20, 2011, Billy Clyde Gillispie was hired as the 14th head coach of the Texas Tech men's basketball programme. After Gillispie, Mark Adams, a Texas Tech alumnus, was elevated to head coach on April 5, 2021. Adams served as the assistant coach under Chris Beard for the previous six seasons. Beard departed the programme after the 2020-21 season to take the head coaching job at the University of Texas.
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The team's performance in the NCAA tournament
The Texas Tech Red Raiders basketball team has had a rich history in the NCAA tournament, with 21 appearances as of the 2024-25 season. The team first competed in the NCAA Division I in 1996 as a charter member of the Big 12 Conference.
In the 2008 Big 12 men's basketball tournament, the Raiders lost to Oklahoma State in the first round. They did not receive an invitation to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship or the National Invitation Tournament that year. However, they were invited to the inaugural College Basketball Invitational but declined the offer.
The Raiders had a notable NCAA tournament run in 1996, but it was later marred by controversy. It was discovered that two players had been academically ineligible during the season, leading Texas Tech to withdraw from postseason consideration and forfeit its conference schedule. The NCAA stripped the team of its two tournament wins that year and imposed scholarship reductions.
More recently, the Texas Tech Red Raiders have enjoyed success in the NCAA tournament. In 2021, they reached their first-ever national title game, defeating the Michigan State Spartans 61-51 in the semi-finals before falling to the Virginia Cavaliers in overtime in the championship game. This concluded the most successful season in the school's history.
The 2024-25 season was also a successful campaign for the Texas Tech basketball team, reaching the Elite Eight. Head Coach Grant McCasland received praise for his leadership, with the team displaying a strong defensive presence and a versatile style of play. The team's success has solidified its standing in college basketball, with a bright future ahead.
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The team's home games and stadium
The Texas Tech Red Raiders basketball team represents Texas Tech University in basketball. The team was founded in 1925, the same year the university was established. Since 1999, the Raiders have played their home games at the United Supermarkets Arena on the university's campus in Lubbock, Texas. The Raiders' stadium, the United Supermarkets Arena, has a capacity of 15,098. The Dustin R. Womble Basketball Center, a new 58,000-square-foot, $32.2 million practice facility for the men's and women's basketball teams, was inaugurated in 2021.
The Raiders compete in NCAA Division I and have been members of the Big 12 Conference since its inception in 1996. They previously competed in the Border Conference and Southwest Conference. As of the 2024-25 season, the Raiders have won 13 regular-season conference championships and made 21 appearances in the NCAA tournament. The team has a rich history, with notable achievements and records set over the years. For example, in the third game of the 2008-09 season, the Raiders defeated Division II opponent East Central 167-115, setting a new school record for most points scored in a game.
The Raiders have also had their fair share of challenges and setbacks. During the 2000/01 season, the team finished with a 9-19 overall record, leading to the firing of head coach Polk Robison. In 2021, the Raiders reached their first-ever national title game, where they lost to the Virginia Cavaliers 85-77 in overtime, ending the most successful season in school history.
The 2024-25 season marks the 100th season of Texas Tech Basketball, with 18 home games scheduled to be played at the United Supermarkets Arena. Fans can expect enhancements and changes, such as free parking in the S-1 lot, located at the corner of 10th Street and Texas Tech Parkway. The lot will have buses running approximately 75 minutes before the game and ending service approximately 45 minutes after the game.
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Frequently asked questions
The Texas Tech Red Raiders basketball team has had a successful history, winning 13 regular-season conference championships and making 21 appearances in the NCAA tournament as of the 2024-2025 season. The team has also produced notable alumni such as Reese Alston and Keitenn Bristow.
The Texas Tech Red Raiders reached their first-ever national title game in 2021, defeating the Michigan State Spartans 61-51. Additionally, in the 2008-09 season, the team defeated Division II opponent East Central 167-115, setting a new school record for most points scored in a game.
Berl Huffman served as head coach from 1935 to 1942 and again from 1946 to 1947, achieving a record of 121-67. More recently, Grant McCasland has led the team to success, receiving praise for his coaching style and player development.
After a successful 2024-25 season, the Texas Tech basketball team aims to maintain its national relevance. The program has been active in the transfer portal, with players like Josiah Moseley and LeJuan Watts considering Texas Tech. The team's head coach, Grant McCasland, has received acclaim for his leadership and the team's style of play.
