Texas Tech lost a cornerstone Wednesday night when an MRI revealed that junior forward JT Toppin tore the ACL in his right knee during the road game at Arizona State. The diagnosis ends his season and forces the Red Raiders to rethink their frontcourt identity—both on the scoreboard and on the glass.
Why Toppin matters
Toppin wasn’t just a starter; he was the engine of Texas Tech’s interior game. This season he ranked among the nation’s most productive forwards, finishing with 234 made field goals and averages of 21.8 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. He compiled 16 double-doubles in conference play and had an offensive rebounding rate that consistently gave his team extra possessions. Over 93 collegiate games he’s totaled 1,593 points, 907 rebounds and 47 double-doubles—numbers that underline how much his presence will be missed.
How Texas Tech will likely respond
Losing that level of scoring and rebounding creates immediate tactical questions. Expect the staff to pursue several overlapping strategies:
- – Redistribute minutes to forwards who can defend the rim and crash the offensive glass.
- Increase wing- and guard-driven offense: more ball screens, high-low actions, and movement to generate post touches without relying on a single interior force.
- Tighten team rebounding schemes and rotate more aggressively on defense to limit second-chance points.
- Mix in situational zone to protect the rim while shooters and defenders adjust to new roles.
The next few games will be a laboratory for the coaching staff. Which bench players convert opportunity into consistency will determine whether Texas Tech holds its current standing or slides in the pecking order.
Medical and roster planning
An ACL tear typically means a long rehab, so Texas Tech’s short-term roster planning will lean heavily on internal options while medical updates shape offseason decisions. The staff can accelerate development by simulating Toppin’s minutes in practice, simplifying some sets to protect defensive cohesion, and prioritizing matchups that mask immediate weaknesses.
Milwaukee at Oakland: what’s at stake
Across the country, the Milwaukee Panthers head to Oakland fighting their own fight with attrition. Injuries have forced persistent lineup changes and tested the roster’s depth. Oakland’s offense—balanced, tempo-driven and powered by a combination of transfers and returnees—still poses problems, especially at home in the O’rena, where the Golden Grizzlies tend to find rhythm.
Matchup angles
– Milwaukee will look to exploit closeouts and attack transition, while also emphasizing defensive rebounding against smaller lineups.
– Oakland’s pick-and-rolls and wing kick-outs remain their bread-and-butter; disrupting ball handlers and contesting open shots will be key for visitors.
– Turnover differential and offensive rebound rate have been decisive in recent meetings; whoever controls those two statistics usually controls tempo and the scoreboard.
Milwaukee’s adjustments and outlook
With several players listed day-to-day, Milwaukee has leaned on guard play, perimeter spacing and small-ball alignments. Expect simpler offensive actions—screen-and-rolls, shooters off screens, and downhill penetration—that reduce decision-making and increase high-percentage chances. Analytics-driven substitution patterns have shortened late-game benches to preserve chemistry, but practical success will come down to turnover control and bench scoring. If Milwaukee stabilizes availability and those metrics improve, the rematch could be competitive rather than routine.
Personnel notes and season context
Milwaukee’s season has been shaped by an unusual number of availability issues: a veteran wing lost for the year, a scorer who underwent season-ending shoulder surgery, and multiple other mid-length absences. That forced younger players and reserves into prominent roles. While continuity suffered, the staff also gained valuable insight into which depth pieces can handle pressure minutes—information that will inform both in-season strategy and offseason recruiting.
What to watch next
For Texas Tech: look at who steps into Toppin’s minutes and how the team defends the rim and secures rebounds. For Milwaukee: monitor turnover rates, bench scoring, and whether the coaching staff can assemble a dependable starting five on the road. Across both programs, availability remains the biggest determinant of short-term fortunes. Milwaukee’s trip to Oakland offers a window into how injuries and depth shape outcomes: the team that adapts its rotations, tightens fundamentals (turnovers and rebounding), and converts bench opportunities into steady production will emerge with the best shot at maintaining momentum. Expect meaningful change to appear quickly; a handful of games should reveal whether these adjustments stick.