Toppin reports progress in ACL recovery at Big 12 media day

JT Toppin told reporters at Tuesday's Big 12 media day that he feels good about his recovery from a torn ACL and hopes to return to the court soon.

The Texas Tech senior credited trainer Mike Neal and the support of Grant McCasland's program through his rehabilitation, according to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. McCasland brought Toppin to T-Mobile Center in Kansas City and let the forward address his progress himself. The Avalanche-Journal reported that there is no official return timetable.

McCasland explained his approach separately to Heartland College Sports: he is leaving the medical clearance to the team's medical group and the question of readiness to Toppin. The coach said he trusts the forward's judgment and feels positive about him playing at some point this season.

Toppin tore the ACL in his right knee during Texas Tech's Feb. 17 game at Arizona State. The school confirmed the season-ending injury after an MRI the next day.

He averaged 21.8 points and 10.8 rebounds last season before the injury, earning first-team All-Big 12 honors for a second consecutive year. He returns for his third season at Texas Tech after beginning his college career at New Mexico.

Conference coaches again selected Toppin unanimously for the All-Big 12 preseason team in the Oct. 15 announcement. The school said he has earned consensus second-team All-America recognition in each of the past two seasons.

Texas Tech was picked fifth in the Big 12 preseason coaches' poll with 180 points, one behind fourth-place Iowa State. Arizona was the choice to win the league, followed by Houston and Kansas. The preseason player-of-the-year award went to Arizona's Motiejus Krivas; Toppin's honor this fall is his unanimous place on the all-conference team.

The Red Raiders open the regular season against Jackson State at United Supermarkets Arena on Nov. 2. Their first Big 12 game is at Cincinnati on Jan. 2, with Baylor visiting Lubbock on Jan. 6.