Texas Tech University Athletics
Naismith Awards recognizes Toppin, McCasland
March 14, 2025 | Men's Basketball
KANSAS CITY – There's always fine print on watch lists during the season which states that players and coaches can earn their way onto the lists. JT Toppin and Grant McCasland have done just that.
Toppin has played his way onto the 2025 Jersey Mike's Naismith Player of the Year semifinalist list – joining the top players in the nation for the prestigious honor. McCasland has led the Red Raiders to a 25-7 record so far this season and has been recognized as a semifinalist for the 2025 Werner Ladder Naismith Coach of the Year.
Toppin was not on any of the previous watch lists but is now 1 of 10 semifinalists where he is joined by Johni Broome (Auburn), Walter Clayton (Florida), Cooper Flagg (Duke), Kam Jones (Marquette), Ryan Kalkbrenner (Creighton), RJ Luis (St. John's), Mark Sears (Alabama), Braden Smith (Purdue) and John Tonje (Wisconsin). Toppin has recorded 15 double-doubles this season and is averaging 18.4 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. He earned Big 12 Player of the Year, Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, All-Big 12 First Team and All-Big 12 Newcomer Team. He has also been honored with The Sporting News All-America Second Team honors already in the postseason. Toppin led Tech with 26 points and 10 rebounds in its Big 12 Championship quarterfinal win over Baylor to extend a streak of three straight double-doubles with 25-points or more. He had a career-high 41 points and added 15 rebounds in a double-overtime win over Arizona State to highlight his season and has scored 30-plus points in three games this season.
McCasland is joined on the list of 10 coaches by Dennis Gates (Missouri), Todd Golden (Florida), Tom Izzo (Michigan State), Pat Kelsey (Louisville), Ben McCollum (Drake), Bruce Pearl (Auburn), Rick Pitino (St. John's), Kelvin Sampson (Houston) and Jon Scheyer (Duke). McCasland is now 259-107 (70.8%) in his NCAA career, including his Texas Tech records of 48-18 overall (66 games – 72.7%). Tech was unranked to begin the season but has now been a top 10 team for four straight weeks. Â
Toppin and McCasland are back in action tonight, playing Arizona at 8:30 p.m. in the Big 12 Championship Semifinals at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City.
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