The Red Raiders point guard Christian Anderson, along with forward JT Toppin, made history at Texas Tech ahead of their First Round matchup with Akron in the NCAA Tournament.
The Texas Tech Red Raiders wouldn't be where they are today - entering an NCAA Tournament as a No. 5 seed - without the play of Christian Anderson.
Before his squad takes the court in Tampa for the First Round battle against upset-hungry Akron, Anderson, along with power forward running mate JT Toppin, received historic honors that solidify their place in Texas Tech Men's Basketball history.
For the first time ever, the Red Raiders have two AP All-Americans honorees in the same season.
Toppin, who tore his ACL midway through the season and will be inactive for the upcoming postseason, received consensus All-America status after landing on each of the four major publications' teams: Associated Press (First Team), United States Basketball Writers Association (Second Team), National Association Basketball of Coaches (Second Team), and Sporting News (Second Team).
Anderson added to his resume across each of those outlets, as well.
The sophomore point guard was voted to the All-America Third Team by AP, USBWA, and Sporting News.
Anderson takes his team-leading 18.9 points per game (sixth in Big 12) up against a Zips team riding high off of a MAC Tournament title and growing odds that come with being a bracket-buster pick.
The Atlanta native Anderson will need to have his stroke from the outside, as the Red Raiders' offense operates best when he's comfortable shooting from all three levels in the pick-and-roll game. He has 105 made 3-pointers and eight double-doubles to his name so far this season.
ESPN has taken note and ranks Anderson as one of the very best players in the field of 64 entering the first weekend of March Madness.
Anderon ranks No. 7 on the publication's top-50 players in the big dance.
"It was clear within minutes of this season tipping off that Anderson was in for an enormous season," said Jeff Borzello about Anderson's 34-point explosion in the season-opening win over Lindenwood.
"He was already one of the highest-usage guards in the Big 12 before JT Toppin's season-ending injury, and has taken on an even bigger role without his All-American partner. Anderson is averaging 18.9 points and ranks third nationally with 7.6 assists; he has also tallied five games of 20 points and 10 assists."
This year's Big 12 Most Improved Player takes his stellar season into the win-or-go-home bracket Friday morning with tipoff between No. 5 Texas Tech and No. 12 Akron sheduled for 11:40 a.m. CST.
