Texas Tech’s March Madness hopes take major hit with JT Toppin injury originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
JT Toppin’s breakout season came to a devastating end Tuesday night, as Texas Tech Red Raiders men’s basketball announced the junior forward suffered a torn ACL in his right knee during a 72-67 loss to Arizona State Sun Devils men’s basketball.
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“Injury Update on JT Toppin: An MRI has confirmed that Texas Tech junior forward JT Toppin sustained a season-ending torn ACL in his right knee Tuesday night in the game at Arizona State,” the program posted on X.
The injury occurred with 6:03 remaining in the second half and Texas Tech trailing 61-56. Toppin drove toward the basket before collapsing to the floor and immediately grabbing his right leg. He required assistance leaving the court and did not return, silencing the arena and shifting the focus from the outcome to his health.
Red Raiders coach Grant McCasland said after the game that Toppin had injured his lower leg and further evaluation was needed. The MRI confirmed the worst fears Wednesday.
Toppin delivered another dominant performance, finishing with 20 points, eight rebounds, four assists and four blocks. He entered the night averaging 21.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game, building on his reigning Big 12 Player of the Year honor and projected first-round NBA draft pick status.
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The Red Raiders (19-7, 9-4 Big 12) faded late without their leader. But the loss on the scoreboard paled in comparison to losing one of college basketball’s brightest stars for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.
