No. 13 Texas Tech suffered a 72-67 upset loss to Arizona State in Tempe on Tuesday night, a game marred by an injury to star forward JT Toppin late in the second half.
A Costly Setback for Texas Tech
Toppin went down while driving to the basket with 6:03 remaining in the game, clutching his right leg. He was assisted off the court and did not return, finishing the game with 20 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and four blocks. Texas Tech coach Grant McCasland confirmed the injury was to Toppin’s lower leg, but the severity remains unknown. “It’s hard to say until we get it looked at closely,” McCasland said. “But I just understand he’s really disappointed. He’s such a competitor. We’ll get back and get him looked at.”
The loss ended a three-game winning streak for Texas Tech, which had recently defeated then-No. 1 Arizona 78-75 in overtime. The Red Raiders rallied late in the game, closing the gap to 70-67, but a turnover by Christian Anderson prevented a potential game-tying three-point attempt.
Arizona State Secures Upset Victory
Arizona State’s win is a significant boost for coach Bobby Hurley, who has faced challenges in achieving consistent success during his 11 years with the program. Hurley expressed concern for Toppin following the game, stating, “I hope he’s OK, and I hate to witness a guy go out of a game like that. He’s one of the best players in the country. My heart goes out to him and hope that he’s back soon for them.”
Texas Tech trailed 61-56 when Toppin was injured and fell further behind, 67-56, in the ensuing minutes. Despite the setback, the Red Raiders demonstrated resilience, according to Coach McCasland. “It knocked us on our heels a little bit,” McCasland said. “But, man, we’ve got a competitve group and found a way to get it to a one-possession game.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the game between Texas Tech and Arizona State?
The final score was Arizona State 72, Texas Tech 67.
When did JT Toppin sustain his injury?
JT Toppin was injured with 6:03 left in the second half while driving to the basket.
What did Texas Tech coach Grant McCasland say about Toppin’s injury?
Grant McCasland said it was too early to determine the severity of the injury, but acknowledged Toppin’s disappointment and confirmed the injury was to his lower leg.
How will Texas Tech adjust its strategy moving forward in the absence of a key player like Toppin?
