The best-case scenario for JT Toppin’s injury was what Texas Tech was hoping for, but instead the Red Raiders received the terrible news that the team’s leading scorer will miss the remainder of the season due to a torn ACL.
The loss of Toppin shouldn’t only be seen as a tragedy for college basketball and Texas Tech. In addition to being the Red Raiders’ top scorer and rebounder, he was also considered for the title of National Player of the Year. Texas Tech will now have to pick up the pieces after Toppin, the kind of player who can lead a club through the competition, is gone.
The Red Raiders need to decide how to proceed with JT Toppin.
Following Tuesday’s 72-67 defeat to Arizona State, Grant McCasland was unable to provide an immediate update on Toppin, but his words revealed a lot about his mindset in the event that the injury was as serious as it seemed.
McCasland stated that while it certainly caught us off guard a bit, we have a talented squad and managed to make it a one-possession game, giving ourselves a chance to win late, which is what you want.
Additionally, he stated that he was happy with the team he had on the court during the last few minutes. McCalsand can discover some solutions with various lineups, but there won’t be a one-to-one replacement for Toppin. Christian Anderson will be leaned on more offensively since he fouled out late in the game against Arizona State. LeJuan Watts will need more time on the court since he only played 18 minutes against the Sun Devils. In order to succeed, Luke Bamgboye will need to be a monster at defending the rim and on the boards.
Even without Toppin, it may be difficult to picture a path to a championship, but this is still a tournament team, and the men McCasland fields will be able to compete at a high level.
This squad has consistently responded… This was a big one, and I have no intention of minimizing its significance. However, we must react, turn around, return home, and prepare for victory on Saturday, McCasland said, since we are trying to place ourselves in a position.
