LUBBOCK, TX – Texas Tech men’s basketball has been recognized for its success this season, with Christian Anderson and JT Toppin earning All-Gulf District First Team honors, and head coach Grant McCasland named the Gulf District Co-Coach of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC).
Anderson and Toppin join Rashaun Agee (Texas A&M), Cameron Carr (Baylor), Kingston Flemings (Houston), Boopie Miller (SMU), David Punch (TCU), Emanuel Sharp (Houston), Dailyn Swain (Texas) and Keon Thompson (SFA) on the First Team. The Second Team includes Rowan Brumbaugh (Tulane), Chris Cenac (Houston), DJ Hall (Texas State), Larry Johnson (McNeese), Po’Boigh King (Sam Houston), Lateef Patrick (SFA), Jaron Pierre (SMU), Joseph Tugler (Houston), Matas Vokietaitis (Texas) and Tounde Yessoufou (Baylor). Houston’s Kelvin Sampson shares the Co-Coach of the Year award with McCasland.
Anderson, a sophomore from Atlanta, Georgia, has rewritten the Texas Tech record book with his playmaking ability. He established a recent single-season program record with 236 assists and currently leads the Big 12 Conference with an average of 7.6 assists per game. He likewise contributes 18.9 points per game, ranking fifth in the Big 12. Anderson has connected on 105 three-pointers and recorded eight double-doubles this season. He was previously recognized as an All-Big 12 First Team selection and earned three Big 12 Player of the Week awards.
Toppin, a junior from Dallas, was a dominant force before a season-ending injury on February 17. Prior to the injury, he averaged 21.8 points and 10.8 rebounds across 25 games, achieving 16 double-doubles. Toppin reached the 30-point mark in six games, including a season-high 35 points with 11 rebounds against Illinois. He also posted 31 points and 14 rebounds in a road victory at then-No. 1 Arizona, and at the time of his injury, led the nation with 234 field goals made. Toppin also earned All-Big 12 First Team honors and was a four-time Big 12 Player of the Week selection.
McCasland’s impact in his first three seasons at Texas Tech has been significant. He is the first coach in program history to lead the Red Raiders to the NCAA Tournament in each of his initial three years. This season, Texas Tech has achieved a 22-10 record, setting program records with three wins against Top 5 opponents and four wins against Top 10 opponents. The Red Raiders have also been consistently ranked throughout the season. McCasland’s overall NCAA coaching record stands at 284-119, with a 73-30 record at Texas Tech. He has led four teams to the NCAA Tournament, with a 4-3 overall record, including a run to the Elite Eight last season and a second-round appearance with North Texas in 2021.
Texas Tech, seeded No. 5 in the Midwest Region, will commence its NCAA Tournament journey against No. 12 Akron at 11:40 a.m. (CST) on Friday in Tampa, Florida.
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