Overview
- Texas Tech announced Wednesday that an MRI confirmed a torn ACL in JT Toppin’s right knee suffered late in a 72-67 loss at Arizona State, ending his season.
- Toppin, the reigning Big 12 Player of the Year and a preseason All-America pick, leads No. 13 Texas Tech at 21.8 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game.
- He exited with 6:03 remaining after driving to the basket; he had 20 points, eight rebounds, four assists and four blocks, and coach Grant McCasland said the setback initially “knocked us on our heels.”
- Arizona State’s Bobby Hurley offered well wishes, calling Toppin one of the nation’s best players; the Red Raiders fell to 19-7 (9-4 Big 12).
- With Toppin sidelined, Texas Tech turns to guards Christian Anderson and Donovan Atwell and forwards LeJuan Watts and Luke Bamgboye, as analysts and oddsmakers downgrade the team’s title outlook.