Scott Drew shares feelings on facing former assistant Grant McCasland

Scott Drew has built quite the coaching tree inside the Big 12, facing off against another assistant on Tuesday night. Baylor will play host to Texas Tech in a massive conference showdown, with regular-season title implications on the line. It also means Grant McCasland will be returning to Waco for the first time since he was an assistant.

While McCasland has not been on Baylor’s coaching staff since 2015-2016, there is still a ton of respect coming from Drew’s end. Alongside Jermone Tang, Drew is not getting used to playing former assistants. And while he might be rooting for them from afar, things change when the ball is tipped.

“The good thing is, we’re a little used to it after playing Coach Tang,” Drew said. “Obviously, a great deal of respect for [McCasland] and what a great coach he is and what a great program he runs… We’ll wish him luck every game of the year except for this one, obviously.”

McCasland spent five seasons working under Drew and was a part of some great runs at Baylor. Twice did the Bears make it to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament, with an Elite Eight appearance occurring in 2012.

Since then, Arkansas State and North Texas have given McCasland the opportunity to be a head coach for the first time at the DI level. Texas Tech is the first power conference program to give him a call and the results are paying off early.

In fact, Drew is going to be taking notes when going up against McCasland. He enjoys facing quality opposing coaches and believes there is something to learn from the opposite side.

“The one thing good about playing great coaches is you learn when you do,” Drew said. “Seeing what they do offensively and defensively. It’s not only impressive but it also helps us get better.”

Drew is already 0-1 this season against his former guys, with Kansas State taking down Baylor on Jan. 16 in Manhattan. Avoiding the second loss will be critical, with Baylor hoping to stay in the thick of the Big 12 title race. Heading into the game, both schools are sitting at 5-3 in conference play and can move into first place following a Kansas loss on Monday night.

Worst case, the Bears will get a rematch during the season finale in Lubbock. Drew will be hoping he is looking for his second career win against McCasland instead of attempting to get revenge.