Texas Tech Star JT Toppin Suffers Season-Ending Injury

Injury to leading scorer and rebounder ends Red Raiders' national title hopes, says CBS analyst

Feb. 23, 2026 at 5:39am

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Junior forward JT Toppin, Texas Tech's leading scorer and rebounder, suffered a season-ending torn ACL in his right knee during Tuesday's loss to Arizona State. CBS Sports analyst Matt Norlander believes Toppin's injury has effectively ended the Red Raiders' national championship aspirations this season.

Why it matters

Toppin was having a historic season and was a leading candidate for National Player of the Year. His absence is a major blow to Texas Tech's chances of making a deep NCAA tournament run after the team had emerged as a national title contender following a big win over No. 1 Arizona just days earlier.

The details

Toppin was driving to the basket with five minutes remaining in the game against Arizona State when he fell to the floor after minimal contact with a defender. He had to be helped to the locker room and Texas Tech announced the next day that he had suffered a torn ACL, ending his season.

  • Toppin was injured with 5 minutes remaining in the February 18, 2026 game against Arizona State.
  • Texas Tech announced Toppin's season-ending injury on February 19, 2026.

The players

JT Toppin

A junior forward for Texas Tech who was leading the nation in made field goals and was a top candidate for National Player of the Year before suffering a season-ending torn ACL.

Matt Norlander

A CBS Sports college basketball analyst who believes Toppin's injury has effectively ended Texas Tech's national championship hopes this season.

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What they’re saying

“It's a massive blow. It'll be interesting to see what the committee opts to do. How will it handle Texas Tech losing one of the best players in college basketball? JT Toppin was easily pacing himself toward a first-team All-American level season. He was top three, top four for National Player of the Year.”

— Matt Norlander, CBS Sports Analyst (CBS Sports)

“Texas Tech's National Championship hopes have gone out the window with this injury.”

— Matt Norlander, CBS Sports Analyst (CBS Sports)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Toppin's season-ending injury is a major blow to Texas Tech's national title aspirations, as he was the team's leading scorer and rebounder and a top contender for National Player of the Year. The Red Raiders will now have to find a way to forge ahead without their star player as they look to still make a deep NCAA tournament run.