On the Court
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal’s Nathan Giese on Tom Graystone and the 9 freshmen on the team, noting that this team doesn’t receive any NIL from The Matador Club (they still receive payments):
Having nine freshmen on an 18-player roster can be tricky, something Graystone isn’t hiding. The first set of practices were focused on scrimmaging, getting players comfortable with each other on a team with just six returning players.
As Texas Tech — picked 12th out of 16th in the preseason Big 12 poll — gets closer to starting the season on Aug. 29, the focus will shift to individual skill work.
“They came here for all the right reasons,” Graystone said of the 2025 roster, “and I think we’ve got the strongest leadership we’ve had in a long time within our program. We’re going to lean hard on that and get these young players off to a good start.”
On the Diamond
The Athletic’s Lindsay Schnell dives deep on how Gerry Glasco turned Texas Tech into a softball power in such a short period of time, a large part of that is NiJaree Canady, but also honesty:
Glasco is adamant that all the success Tech experienced in 2025 came from his foundation of transparency.
He’s honest with players about if they can help the team win. But he’s also honest when he tells them that he welcomes feisty competitors who might push back on his decisions.
“My attitude is, if you think you’re missing in the lineup, come tell me and we’ll have a hitting contest. I’ll see who can hit off NiJa,” he said with a laugh. “If you think you should start at third base over someone else, we’ll battle it out at practice. I like when kids challenge it.
“The only thing I care about is winning, and the players have to know that. If they’re not playing, it’s not ’cause ‘he doesn’t like me or my personality’ or ‘he only likes left-handed hitters.’ You make sure your players know, on a weekly basis, where they stand.”
On the Hardwood
CBS Sports’ Kyle Boone predicts the starting lineup for Texas Tech and he has the following:
PG Christian Anderson | 6-2 | 175 | Soph.
SG Donovan Atwell | 6-5 | 200 | Sr.
SF LeJuan Watts | 6-6 | 225 | Jr.
PF JT Toppin | 6-9 | 230 | Jr.
C Luke Bamgboye | 6-10 | 210 | Soph.
I think the only question is if the head coach Grant McCasland will go big or small, with the option of starting Tyeree Bryan (6-5 | 215 | SG) rather than Bamgboye or even going Josiah Moseley (6-8 | 225 | Soph) as a different option.
On the Gridiron
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal’s Don Williams on how the Womble Football Center is already paying dividends:
“We’re able to do a lot of stuff with the walkthrough room upstairs with a lot of those guys that have been banged up,” new safeties coach Rob Greene said. “I think that’s eased their transition back into practice in terms of alignment, assignment, where their eyes are supposed to be, their initial footwork, all that good stuff, so it’s been a big help for us.”
Williams also noted that Hunter Zambrano returned to practice, but that Vinny Sciury is not back. Amier Boyd says that Caleb Douglas, Reggie Virgil, and Coy Eakin are the best receivers.
Cornerbacks coach Darcel McBath and safeties coach Rob Greene. Greene called out Luke Dillingham (in a good way), a senior walk-on from Brock who has been playing all 3 positions for Greene. Also compliments Cole Wisniewski and Brenden Jordan as guys who have been good. McBath is asked about Dontae Balfour, Amier Boyd, Brice Pollack and Tarrion Grant as guys who have made improvement. McBath also said that Terrance Carter, Dontae Balfour, and J’Koby Williams are the best dunkers.