BREAKING NEWS: Texas Tech Men’s Basketball Caps Remarkable Season with Thrilling 85–83 Win Over Arkansas in NCAA Tournament Second Round
April 16, 2025 | Lubbock, TX — The Texas Tech Red Raiders men’s basketball team wrapped up one of its most thrilling seasons in recent memory with a dramatic 85–83 win over Arkansas in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, cementing its place in the Sweet 16 and capturing the attention of the college basketball world.
In a game that came down to the final seconds, junior guard Elijah Fisher drained the go-ahead jumper with 6.4 seconds left, and the Red Raiders’ defense held strong on the final Arkansas possession to seal the win. The victory marks Texas Tech’s first Sweet 16 appearance since 2022 and is a testament to the program’s steady resurgence under head coach Grant McCasland.
“This team showed heart, grit, and resilience all year,” said McCasland after the game. “They never backed down, and they earned every bit of this moment. We’ve got more work to do, but tonight, we’re going to enjoy what we’ve accomplished.”
The Red Raiders entered the tournament as a 6-seed, following a season in which they defied preseason expectations and surged through Big 12 play with key wins over Kansas, Baylor, and Texas. The team’s balanced attack, highlighted by the leadership of senior forward Darrion Williams and the explosive play of sophomore guard Pop Isaacs, proved to be a winning formula.
In the Arkansas matchup, Isaacs led the scoring with 23 points, including four three-pointers, while Williams contributed a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. The Razorbacks pushed the Red Raiders to the limit, but Tech’s composure in crunch time proved decisive.
The win, however, would be the Red Raiders’ final of the tournament. They fell in the Sweet 16 to a red-hot Florida squad, 84–79, in another tightly contested battle. Despite the loss, the team’s postseason run has been hailed as a major step forward for the program and a clear sign that Texas Tech is returning to national relevance.
“The goal is always a national title, but this group made history,” said Williams, who is expected to declare for the NBA Draft. “We laid the foundation for something bigger. Red Raider basketball is back.”
The run to the Sweet 16 also boosted the Red Raiders’ national profile, both in recruiting and media coverage. The team finished the season ranked No. 15 in the AP Poll and will likely start the 2025–26 campaign as a preseason Top 10 team, depending on returning talent and incoming transfers.
Texas Tech fans poured into the streets of Lubbock following the Arkansas win, celebrating a moment of pride and resurgence for a basketball program known for its passionate following and defensive identity. While the season ended sooner than some had hoped, the future in Lubbock is undeniably bright.
With McCasland’s leadership, a strong recruiting class on the way, and a foundation of competitive toughness, the Red Raiders are poised to remain a force in college basketball for years to come.
Red Raiders rise again—this time, they’re here to stay.