Texas Tech's BIG win

Good morning! We’ve already settled into the post-NCAA Tournament rhythm: portal news, NBA Draft news, coach update. And before you know it, we’ll be into the recruiting season.

Let's get to Wednesday’s news.

1. Texas Tech’s massive offseason win

Sometimes the most notable offseason moves are when schools retain a star player. That’s exactly what Grant McCasland and Texas Tech have done.

JT Toppin, the Big 12 Player of the Year, announced Wednesday that he’s returning to the Red Raiders next season. Toppin transferred in after his freshman season at New Mexico and immediately impacted the program. He averaged 18.2 points and 9.4 rebounds, and led Texas Tech to the Elite Eight.

Toppin averaged 19.3 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game while shooting 59.0% from the field during that Elite Eight run.

The Dallas native was a consensus All-American in 2024-25 and should be among the frontrunners for next year’s preseason National Player of the Year, especially if he produces more games like this.

Toppin will earn $4 million in NIL next season, per Matt Norlander. The big man was a projected first round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, but the new age of NIL makes another season in school more profitable. That’s NIL for you.

Another Wednesday bonus? Santa Clara senior guard Tyree Bryan said he’ll play in Lubbock next season.

Both announcements came a day after guard Christian Anderson, a member of the 2024-25 Big 12 All-Big 12 Freshman Team, announced his return. That gives McCasland a point guard, an experienced off guard with size, and big man to build around this offseason. They’ll be on Houston’s heels again in 2025-26.

2. Arizona’s 2025 recruiting class grows stronger

One of the country’s best high school recruiting class now belongs to Tommy Lloyd and Arizona.

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