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Jeff Borzello
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Jeff Borzello
ESPN Staff Writer
- Basketball recruiting insider.
- Joined ESPN in 2014.
- Graduate of University of Delaware.
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Pete Thamel
Texas Tech is targeting Wyoming head coach Jeff Linder as the top assistant on Grant McCasland’s men’s basketball staff, sources told ESPN.
The two sides are close to a deal, sources said, and it could be finalized soon.
Linder’s arrival would mark a reunion for the two coaches. He spent two seasons as McCasland’s assistant at Midland Junior College, from 2004-06, when Midland won a combined 53 games.
Linder has been the head coach at Wyoming since 2020, leading the Cowboys to a 63-59 overall record and guiding them to the 2022 NCAA tournament. Led by stars Hunter Maldonado and Graham Ike, Wyoming went 25-9 in 2021-22 before losing in the First Four to Indiana. Maldonado returned the next season, but Ike missed the entire campaign with a foot injury, and the Cowboys struggled to sustain momentum.
Before taking over at Wyoming, Linder was the head coach at Northern Colorado for four seasons. He went 80-50 overall, including three straight 20-win campaigns to end his time with the Bears.
McCasland just finished his first season in charge at Texas Tech, leading the Red Raiders to 23 wins and an NCAA tournament appearance. They’re expected to return three double-figure scorers and bring in an intriguing transfer class led by Kevin Overton (Drake) and Elijah Hawkins (Minnesota).