Texas Tech got back on track and showed once again it can win in big-time games without JT Toppin on the court.
While Texas Tech would gladly take First Team All-Big 12 and First Team AP All-American JT Toppin back on the court, the Red Raiders proved in Friday's NCAA Tournament debut that they can still win without him.
Drawing 12-seed Akron in the Midwest Region's First Round, 5-seed Texas Tech was pegged as a prime victim of an upset by the Zips. Throughout the afternoon, Akron battled as it looked to make good on these upset wishes.
However, the Red Raiders erupted for a late 24-9 scoring run to stomp out any chance of any early exit in a statement 91-71 win.
Texas Tech got back to its winning formula in the absence of Toppin -- sharing the wealth among its plethora of skilled players on both sides of the court.
This mentality led the Red Raiders to a three-game winning streak immediately following Toppin's exit, including the season's lone win at Iowa State's Hilton Coliseum, to the surprise of many national pundits.
Texas Tech later struggled to emulate this success and closed the season on a three-game skid, with a blowout loss to Iowa State in the Big 12 Tournament Quarterfinals. This led to the resurgence of debate over the viability of the Red Raiders without their leader.
In their first game back on the court after the disappointing loss to the Cyclones, Texas Tech found its identity once again. Four of the five Red Raider starters went for double figures, alongside Josiah Moseley off the bench, in an unselfish display for the team.
Their leader was unlikely hero, as freshman Jaylen Petty soared in his March Madness debut. He piled on a career-high 24 points on a 9-of-14 shooting performance, including five (5) 3-pointers.
Familiar faces and All-Big 12 selections Christian Anderson and Donovan Atwell turned in solid efforts, as well. LeJuan Watts impressed once again before fouling out and the aforementioned Moseley proved to be a spark plug in relief.
This all-around performance from Texas Tech highlighted the message the team has been echoing since the injury -- there's more to the Red Raiders than just JT Toppin.
For head coach Grant McCasland, he earned a victory in the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back seasons in only his third year leading Texas Tech. After guiding the Red Raiders to a historic Elite 8 finish, he has this season's squad two wins away from repeating the feat.
Next on their journey is 4-seed Alabama on Sunday's Round of 32. The Crimson Tide let Hofstra hang around before rolling to a big victory of their own.
The Red Raiders will step back onto the court in Tampa, looking to show once and for all that they are not to be taken lightly.
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