Eye On College Basketball – Episode Summary
Episode Title: Texas Tech All-American JT Toppin shares why he didn't test the NBA this offseason
Release Date: October 22, 2025
Overview
This episode of CBS Sports’ “Eye On College Basketball” features an in-depth interview with Texas Tech’s preseason All-American JT Toppin. The hosts dig into Toppin’s personal philosophy, his decision to return to college rather than enter the NBA draft, leadership in the locker room, relationships with coaches and fans, and expectations for the upcoming season. Toppin provides candid insight into his mindset, motivations, and what it means to be a high-profile college athlete in the current NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) era.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
Readiness for the Season and Team Mindset
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Excitement to Compete
- JT Toppin is “so ready” for the season to begin after a long offseason. (00:54)
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Locker Room Mentality
- Texas Tech, projected as a top-15 team, approaches each day like they are the best in the country—focusing on humility, hard work, and a relentless one-day-at-a-time mentality.
“Really just practicing like we are the best team in the country ... just taking it day by day, being humble, keeping the work ethic ... letting the work speak for itself.” — JT Toppin (01:28)
- Texas Tech, projected as a top-15 team, approaches each day like they are the best in the country—focusing on humility, hard work, and a relentless one-day-at-a-time mentality.
Roots of Work Ethic and Self-Belief
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Development of Work Ethic
- Toppin credits his determination to experiences in high school, working his way up from the freshman team, and being surrounded by players better than him at the time.
“Just going into high school and seeing all the people that was better than me ... made me just hungry.” — JT Toppin (01:59)
- Toppin credits his determination to experiences in high school, working his way up from the freshman team, and being surrounded by players better than him at the time.
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When He Knew He Could Excel
- Self-confidence solidified around age 17, entering his senior year.
“Going to my senior year, I’m like, I could be pretty good at this.” — JT Toppin (02:29)
- Self-confidence solidified around age 17, entering his senior year.
On-Court Identity and Preparation
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Best Skillset
- Toppin highlights his “touch” and rebounding as strengths. (02:35)
“I feel like my touch ... and rebounding.” — JT Toppin (02:41)
- Toppin highlights his “touch” and rebounding as strengths. (02:35)
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The Rebounding Mindset
- Physicality and a determined mindset, sometimes boosted by pre-game smelling salts, fuel his approach.
“You gotta have a mindset for it ... I do smelling socks before the game. Gets me amped up.” — JT Toppin (02:49, 03:11)
- Physicality and a determined mindset, sometimes boosted by pre-game smelling salts, fuel his approach.
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Pre-Game Routine
- Pre-game hype music: “Back to the South” by Zoom, a nod to his Dallas roots.
“Cause I grew up in Dallas. So ... you really feel it when you’re from the South.” — JT Toppin (03:41)
- Pre-game hype music: “Back to the South” by Zoom, a nod to his Dallas roots.
Decision to Stay at Texas Tech
- Why Not Test the NBA?
- Toppin previously tested the NBA waters after his freshman year at New Mexico and felt this offseason was best for more personal development—citing age, family, and a supportive environment in Lubbock.
“I just felt like I needed more time developing and skill and I’m not in a rush ... Lubbock just feels like home.” — JT Toppin (04:33)
- Toppin previously tested the NBA waters after his freshman year at New Mexico and felt this offseason was best for more personal development—citing age, family, and a supportive environment in Lubbock.
Life as a High-Profile College Athlete & NIL
- Dealing with Publicity and NIL Money
- Stays grounded by remembering his days as an unranked high school player; emphasizes humility and focusing on pro ambitions.
“I’ve always been low key, humble ... I didn’t have that five star ... at the end of the day I still got a goal of going pro ... just not letting it get to my head.” — JT Toppin (06:10)
- Stays grounded by remembering his days as an unranked high school player; emphasizes humility and focusing on pro ambitions.
Relationship with Coach Grant McCasland
- Why He Loves Playing for Coach McCasland
- Values honesty, high expectations, and personal connections with coaching staff.
“He’s honest ... he’s going to tell you what he thinks. He’s not going to sugarcoat it.” — JT Toppin (07:02) “Everybody in the staff is just unselfish ... they all want to get better and make you better.” — JT Toppin (07:23)
- Values honesty, high expectations, and personal connections with coaching staff.
What’s Different About This Year’s Team
- Team Chemistry and Mentality
- Toppin praises the team’s unselfishness, strong chemistry, and hunger to win, especially among new, younger players and transfers from mid-majors.
“Everybody does what it takes ... very unselfish this year.” — JT Toppin (07:54)
- Toppin praises the team’s unselfishness, strong chemistry, and hunger to win, especially among new, younger players and transfers from mid-majors.
Processing Last Year’s NCAA Tournament Run
- Highs, Heartbreaks, and Motivation
- Last season’s emotional swings provided both heartbreak and incredible experience—fueling hunger for greater success.
“It took a lot to get over that game last year ... it was just a blessing to just experience it ... Now I’m just hungry for more.” — JT Toppin (09:02)
- Last season’s emotional swings provided both heartbreak and incredible experience—fueling hunger for greater success.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |---|---|---| | 01:28 | “Really just practicing like we are the best team in the country and just doing everything like preparing ourselves like we are the best team in the country. So really just taking it day by day, being humble, keeping the work ethic ...” | JT Toppin | | 01:59 | “Just going into high school and seeing all the people that was better than me ... made me just hungry.” | JT Toppin | | 02:35 | “I feel like my touch.” | JT Toppin | | 03:11 | “I do smelling socks before the game. Gets me amped up.” | JT Toppin | | 03:41 | “Cause I grew up in Dallas. So ... you really feel it when you’re from the South.” | JT Toppin | | 04:33 | “I just felt like I needed more time developing and skill and I’m not in a rush ... Lubbock just feels like home.” | JT Toppin | | 06:10 | “I’ve always been low key, humble ... at the end of the day I still got a goal of going pro ... just not letting it get to my head.” | JT Toppin | | 07:02 | “He’s honest ... he’s going to tell you what he thinks. He’s not going to sugarcoat it.” | JT Toppin | | 07:54 | “Everybody does what it takes ... very unselfish this year.” | JT Toppin | | 09:02 | “It took a lot to get over that game last year ... Now I’m just hungry for more.” | JT Toppin |
Important Segments & Timestamps
- Readiness for the season and team mindset: 00:43–01:47
- Root of work ethic & self-belief: 01:47–02:32
- Skills, rebounding, pre-game routines: 02:32–03:48
- Decision to not enter NBA Draft, role of NIL: 03:48–06:46
- On Coach McCasland and team chemistry: 06:46–08:30
- Reflection on NCAA tourney heartbreak and motivation: 08:30–09:28
Episode Tone
Throughout the conversation, Toppin is humble, candid, and focused—a quietly confident competitor shaped by hard work and his underdog background. The hosts maintain an energetic, upbeat, and insider-focused tone, pressing Toppin for details that illuminate both his personality and the inner workings of high-level college basketball.
For listeners seeking a thoughtful look at the college game’s changing landscape, the character of a modern star, and inside access to Texas Tech’s high expectations, this episode delivers concise, insightful, and authentic commentary straight from one of the nation’s top players.