A potential Final Four contender may have suffered a major blow Tuesday night.
Texas Tech star JT Toppin left Tuesday’s game against Arizona State with about 6 minutes left with an apparent leg injury,
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Toppin, the reigning Big 12 Player of the Year and projected first round NBA draft pick, had 20 points and eight rebounds before the injury. The Red Raiders (19-7, 9-4) would go on to lose to the Sun Devils, 70-67, but the defeat was far less concerning than Toppin’s status.
Toppin was attempting to drive to the line in transition but lost his balance and had the ball blocked out of bounds. He stayed on the ground for a period, holding his right leg and asked for trainer Mike Neal to come over and help him.
Coach Grant McCasland and Neal had to help Toppin off the floor as Toppin was not able to put his full weight on his leg.
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After the game, McCasland provided no update on Toppin’s injury.
“It’s hard to say until we get it looked at closely,” McCasland said. “But I just know he’s really disappointed. He’s such a competitor. We’ll get back and get him looked at.”
Texas Tech, a No. 3 seed in USA TODAY Sports’ latest bracketology, can’t afford to lose Toppin, who was on his way to an All-American season. Toppin was coming off a 31-point, 13-rebound effort in Texas Tech’s win over then-No. 1 Arizona on Feb. 14.
Toppin is averaging 21.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game this season.
“Hate to see a guy go out of the game like that,” ASU coach Bobby Hurley said afterward. “One of the best players in the country.”
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Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reporter Nathan Giese contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: JT Toppin injury: Texas Tech star leaves Arizona State game, doesn’t return
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