JT Toppin and AJ Dybantsa are making serious noise in the Big 12 - and this week, they’ve got the hardware to prove it.
Toppin, the Dominant Force in Lubbock
Texas Tech’s JT Toppin has been on a tear all season, but this past week he took it to another level. The junior forward averaged 26.5 points and 8.0 rebounds across two big-time wins, including a statement-making 90-86 victory over No.
6 Houston. With ESPN’s College GameDay in Lubbock for the first time since 2018, Toppin delivered under the spotlight, dropping 31 points and pulling down 12 boards.
That wasn’t just a big game - it was his nation-leading fifth 30-point, 10-rebound performance of the season.
He followed that up with a 22-point outing in a dominant 92-73 win at Baylor, pouring in 13 of those in the second half to help the Red Raiders pull away. Toppin continues to anchor this Texas Tech squad with elite consistency - he’s the only player in the country currently averaging a double-double.
And with this performance, he’s now claimed his second straight Big 12 Player of the Week honor and third in the last four weeks. Simply put: he’s playing like the reigning Big 12 Player of the Year - and then some.
Dybantsa’s Breakout Moment at BYU
Meanwhile in Provo, freshman AJ Dybantsa is proving he’s not just one of the top newcomers in the Big 12 - he’s one of the most electric players in the entire country. The BYU forward exploded for 43 points in a 91-78 win over Utah, the highest-scoring game in the Big 12 this season. He shot a blistering 62.5% from the field and knocked down four triples, showcasing the kind of offensive versatility that’s rare for a freshman.
Dybantsa’s 43-point outburst wasn’t just a personal milestone - it shattered BYU’s freshman scoring record previously held by Danny Ainge and marked his third 30+ point game of the season, the most ever by a BYU freshman. That kind of production has earned him his third Big 12 Newcomer of the Week honor in the last five weeks. If you’re not paying attention to what he’s doing, now’s the time.
Big 12 Starting Five: A Showcase of Star Power
Toppin and Dybantsa weren’t the only ones turning heads this week. The Big 12’s Starting Five lineup highlights standout performances across the league, and this week’s list is stacked.
- Kingston Flemings (Houston): Scored 42 points in that same high-octane showdown against Texas Tech, joining Dybantsa as the first pair of freshmen in Big 12 history to each score 40+ on the same day. That’s a stat that’ll be remembered for a long time.
- Milan Momcilovic (Iowa State): The sophomore forward powered the Cyclones to two convincing wins, averaging 24.5 points and 4.5 rebounds. He’s becoming a go-to scorer for a team that’s quietly building momentum.
- Xavier Edmonds (TCU): Posted back-to-back double-doubles while averaging 20.5 points and 10.0 rebounds in key wins over Oklahoma State and Baylor. Edmonds is giving the Horned Frogs a reliable interior presence at a critical point in conference play.
Big 12 Weekly Honors - A Quick Look Back
Here’s a snapshot of how the Big 12 Player and Newcomer of the Week awards have stacked up so far this season:
Big 12 Player of the Week
- JT Toppin, Texas Tech (Jan.
26, Jan. 19, Jan.
- Christian Anderson, Texas Tech (Dec.
- Milan Momcilovic, Iowa State (Dec.
- Melvin Council Jr., Kansas (Dec.
- P.J.
Haggerty, K-State (Nov. 24)
- Kingston Flemings, Houston (Nov. 17)
- Koa Peat, Arizona (Nov. 10)
Big 12 Newcomer of the Week
- AJ Dybantsa, BYU (Jan.
26, Jan. 5, Dec.
- Darryn Peterson, Kansas (Jan.
- Honor Huff, West Virginia (Jan.
- LeJuan Watts, Texas Tech (Dec.
- Tounde Yessoufou, Baylor (Dec.
- Moe Odum, Arizona State (Dec.
- Koa Peat, Arizona (Nov.
24, Nov. 10)
- Kingston Flemings, Houston (Nov. 17)
As we head deeper into conference play, the Big 12 is showing off its depth - from seasoned veterans like Toppin to breakout freshmen like Dybantsa and Flemings. If this week is any indication, we’re in for a wild ride the rest of the way.