LUBBOCK, Texas – Waiting Texas Tech forward JT Toppin return to the court after refusal NBA The off-season turned out to be longer than expected. Days after a lower-body injury kept him out of No. 10 Texas Tech's season opener over Lindenwood It didn't take long for Toppin on Monday to show he's ready for the 2025-26 season in Friday's 98-77 win over Sam Houston.
Toppin won the first tip for the Red Raiders and scored his first layup 16 seconds into the game. He quickly blocked the shot, recovered the ball and left the game again. Even though Sam Houston put together some impressive offensive sets to keep the game tied for the half, Toppin's gravity wore down the Bearcats.
“I was a little out of breath in the first game,” Toppin said. “But it was great to get back out there and share the court with my teammates.”
It's hard to stop Toppin
If Toppin's production was a scaled-down version, then Texas Tech's potential is limitless. Toppin finished with 31 points and 14 rebounds in 32 minutes. He added four assists, three steals and a block. But the most dangerous thing is that he relentlessly attacked the basket.
Sam Houston threw several bodies across the floor at Toppin, but none could contain him. Toppin was fouled 13 times and helped foul out two Sam Houston players. He made 10 of 16 two-point shots, although he struggled to extend his range to the three-point line.
Later in the game he began to calm down and pass from the middle post to open shooters. His four assists match his 2025 season high; His 30% assist rate in the game tripled his total from the previous season.
“Let’s not take it for granted,” Texas Tech coach Grant McCasland said. “He has gotten better and will continue to get better… Before the injury, he was picking up the ball in transition. The passes he made tonight out of the post were in transition. His ball handling is tough. That's where he improved the most.”
In their first game with all the pieces available, the Red Raiders took a sloppy approach on defense. The Bearcats grabbed 18 offensive rebounds and made half of their 3-pointers in the first half, opening up opportunities to make baskets.
However, the point guard Christian Anderson and Toppin supported the lineup in the second half. Newbie Donovan Atwell was also terrific, getting six 3-pointers and multiple assists from Toppin and Anderson. The duo combined for 11 assists, matching Sam Houston's total in the entire game.
Red Raiders think big
Expectations were high for Texas Tech heading into the announced season. Toppin was projected as a potential first-rounder. NBA Draft Pick, but declined the draft after the Red Raiders made him a strong financial offer to stay. The program also retained Anderson and created a multi-level portal class.
Three of Texas Tech's five starters against Sam Houston were freshmen, and the Big 12 Rookie of the Year LeJuan Watts came off the bench.
This weekend will also be a big one for the athletic department. The Texas Tech football team hosts No. 7. BYU in one of the school's biggest matches ever. Several basketball players made their way through camp before the Raiderville game to pass out pizza, sign autographs and take photos with fans. The 2025-26 school year will be arguably the most important in Texas Tech history, and the interim basketball staff is feeling the pressure.
This win was just the first glimpse of what Texas Tech can achieve, especially as the roster continues to get better. But if Toppin plays like he is a first-team All-American, the Red Raiders will be hard to stop. Trip to No. 17. Illinois Tuesday is an early training ground.
“I don't think we've practiced enough to be at our best yet,” McCasland said. “We have the right parts. We just need to keep getting better.”
