Texas Tech just received news that star player JT Toppin tore his ACL in the loss to Arizona State Tuesday night, absolutely nightmare news for the Red Raiders. The star players averaged 21.8 points for Texas Tech this season, meaning this is a devastating blow for the Red Raiders.
Toppin's injury could not come at a worse time for Texas Tech, as the Red Raiders were hoping to make a push for the Big 12 title. With this injury, Texas Tech could still be competitive, but the road for other contending teams just got a lot easier.
BREAKING: Texas Tech All-American forward JT Toppin suffered a season-ending torn ACL in his right knee in Tuesday night's loss to Arizona state, the school announced.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) February 18, 2026
No team ever wants to see an injury like this, but Bill Self now has an easier road to a to the Big 12 Championship. The Jayhawks have proven they can beat Arizona, the frontrunner in the conference, as well as Iowa State, and a battle with Houston later in the season will show what the Cougars are made of.
Kansas was able to take down the Red Raiders even with Toppin on the court, and now with him out for the season, Self may not have to worry as much. Texas Tech is still a force to be reckoned with, but without all the attention on Toppin, the Jayhawk defense will have an easier job.
The Jayhawks have had their fair share of struggles this season, but a late eight-game win streak has had them surging near the top of the conference. If Kansas can win its final regular-season games, two of which are against Arizona and Houston, the top two teams in the conference, a Big 12 title could be in the works again.
The top of the Big 12 is wide open, with Arizona finally showing they are human and even Houston showing some struggles as of late. Self has all the power with this lineup to take full advantage of every opportunity in front of this team.