NCAAB · 1 year ago

CBB Transfer Portal: 5 Landing Spots for JT Toppin

TJ Inman

Host · Writer

5. NBA Draft
When JT Toppin entered the NBA Draft, it was considered merely a move to get feedback from NBA teams before returning to school. That perception changed some at the NBA Combine as the 6’9” big man showed his length and versatility, knocking down a trio of three-pointers in the scrimmage and racking up 11 points and ten rebounds, including eight offensive rebounds. Toppin measured well, and his athletic testing numbers were substantial. It would not be surprising to see him stay in the draft and take his chances with a weak class.
1. Texas Longhorns
JT Toppin was a three-star recruit who committed to Richard Pitino and the New Mexico Lobos. He outplayed his ranking and started 35 games for the Lobos as they made the NCAA Tournament. Toppin averaged 12.4 points and 9.1 rebounds, with nearly two blocks per game. He was named the Mountain West co-Freshman of the Year and is one of the better players remaining in the portal. The Texas Longhorns are still looking for a replacement for big man Dylan Disu, and Toppin is a native of Dallas, Texas. When Toppin entered the portal and the NBA Draft, Texas was one of the first teams to be linked to him and is expected to pursue if he withdraws from the draft.

Texas 2025 NCAA Title Odds: +5500
2. Texas Tech Red Raiders
The other Texas school that is expected to be a player for JT Toppin would be the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Texas Tech has already landed Fede Federiko from Pittsburgh, but head coach Grant McCasland would love to add another impact big man to help them navigate the rugged Big 12. Toppin is originally from Dallas, and Lubbock is close enough to make it feel like a return home. The Red Raiders went 23-11 in McCasland’s first season and made the NCAA Tournament, but they are looking for more in 2024-2025.

Texas Tech 2025 NCAA Title Odds: +6500
3. Louisville Cardinals
Pat Kelsey and the Louisville Cardinals have added several players through the transfer portal as the new head coach completely revamps the roster ahead of the 2024-2025 season. The Cardinals certainly needed a total reset as a program after two disastrous seasons under Kenny Payne. They hired Kelsey from Charleston and invested significant money in the portal. Guards like Chucky Hepburn and Terrence Edwards Jr. are an excellent starting point. Still, the Cardinals could use a rim protector like JT Toppin.

Louisville 2025 NCAA Title Odds: +8000
4. Arkansas Razorbacks
The Arkansas Razorbacks have, unsurprisingly, built a very nice roster under new head coach John Calipari. He added a few very good incoming freshmen from the class he assembled at Kentucky, a few UK transfers that came with him, and then has sprinkled in veteran transfers like Jonas Aidoo and Johnell Davis. While UK does have two excellent big men, Calipari has shown a willingness to play multiple bigs at one time, and that opens the door for JT Toppin to collect a big NIL check and play in a system that should accentuate his strengths. It’s not the cleanest fit in the world, but it would not be shocking to see Toppin join the party in Fayetteville.

Arkansas 2025 NCAA Title Odds: +3500
5. NBA Draft
When JT Toppin entered the NBA Draft, it was considered merely a move to get feedback from NBA teams before returning to school. That perception changed some at the NBA Combine as the 6’9” big man showed his length and versatility, knocking down a trio of three-pointers in the scrimmage and racking up 11 points and ten rebounds, including eight offensive rebounds. Toppin measured well, and his athletic testing numbers were substantial. It would not be surprising to see him stay in the draft and take his chances with a weak class.
1. Texas Longhorns
JT Toppin was a three-star recruit who committed to Richard Pitino and the New Mexico Lobos. He outplayed his ranking and started 35 games for the Lobos as they made the NCAA Tournament. Toppin averaged 12.4 points and 9.1 rebounds, with nearly two blocks per game. He was named the Mountain West co-Freshman of the Year and is one of the better players remaining in the portal. The Texas Longhorns are still looking for a replacement for big man Dylan Disu, and Toppin is a native of Dallas, Texas. When Toppin entered the portal and the NBA Draft, Texas was one of the first teams to be linked to him and is expected to pursue if he withdraws from the draft.

Texas 2025 NCAA Title Odds: +5500

CBB Transfer Portal: 5 Landing Spots for JT Toppin

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