Texas Tech was sent packing in the first round of the NCAA Tournament by eventual Final Four team North Carolina State last season. Red Raiders coach Grant McCasland is expecting a longer stay this year, and the journey begins when third-seeded Texas Tech (25-8) faces 14th-seeded UNC Wilmington (27-7) in Midwest Region play on Thursday night at Wichita, Kan. The Red Raiders are led by Big 12 Player of the Year JT Toppin, while McCasland said his team's chemistry is top-notch. "With this group, I think there is a real urgency to want to play together as long as we can," McCasland said.
Texas Tech looks to avoid early exit vs. UNC Wilmington
