No. 10 Texas Tech has the Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year in JT Toppin and the Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year in LeJuan Watts.

Whether the talent and early accolades translate into a conference title is up to coach Grant McCasland and his staff.

Texas Tech earned a No. 3 NCAA Tournament seed and made a run to the Elite Eight last spring. With a similarly formidable team in tow, the Red Raiders will open the new season Tuesday against visiting Lindenwood in Lubbock, Texas.

Toppin, a multitalented forward, was a second-team All-American and earned preseason All-American recognition this fall after averaging 18.2 points and 9.4 rebounds in his first season at Texas Tech. The Red Raiders also brought back fourth-leading scorer Christian Anderson, who had 10.6 points per game and

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