Texas Tech's leading scorer, head coach ejected early in team's game vs. Houston

Flagrant 2 foul resulted in ejection of JT Toppin while Red Raider coach Grant McCasland earned two technicals

Texas Tech's JT Toppin (right) leaves the court after being ejected early in the Red Raiders' game at Houston on Feb. 1, 2024 / Maria Lysaker/Imagn Images

It was already a charged-up atmosphere inside Houston's Fertitta Center on Saturday evening.

Just less than four minutes into the game, things already went haywire.

JT Toppin, one of the top players in the Big 12 Conference and Texas Tech's leading scorer, received a Flagrant 2 foul for kicking Houston player Joseph Tugler in the groin area with 16:10 remaining in the first half. Toppin had kicked his leg while throwing a pass to the other end of the court while making contact with Tugler.

Texas Tech at Houston: Live updates, score of Big 12 Conference showdown

After a lengthy delay, it was ruled that Toppin received a Flagrant 2 foul, and resulted in him being ejected from the ballgame.

This is a WILD ejection on JT Toppin….

I mean my man is just trying to pass the ball cross court & accidentally kicks up into Tugler. Grant McCasland got ejected too & rightfully so he should be pissed. pic.twitter.com/6Pz7xSWokQ

— Ryan Hammer🔨 (@ryanhammer09) February 1, 2025

ESPN2's broadcast crew doing the game termed the call as "horrible."

Apparently, Texas Tech coach Grant McCasland thought so, as well, and vehemently protested the call. He quickly earned a technical foul.

Moments later, after Houston's LJ Cryer made 1-of-2 free throws following McCasland's technical that gave the Cougars a 9-8 lead, McCasland received his second technical, and was also ejected from the game.

Things have gone off the rails at Frettita Center for #TexasTech

This is pretty tough..
J.T. Toppin and H.C. Grant McCasland ejected ➡️ pic.twitter.com/ToQK08Q4Nk

— Ken Moore🎙 (@Kmooresports) February 1, 2025

Cryer proceeded to make both technical foul shots for an 11-8 lead. Then on the ensuing possession, Houston went up by five on a basket from J'Wan Roberts.

Jeff Linder, assistant coach and formerly head coach at Wyoming, took over the Red Raiders the rest of the game following the ejection of McCasland.

However, Texas Tech was able to weather the early storm, and the Red Raiders went on to hit seven 3-pointers in the first half to take a 41-37 halftime lead on the Big 12 leaders. Texas Tech then went into overtime and stunned Houston, 82-81, ending the Cougars' 13-game winning streak and their 33-game home court winning streak, which was the longest active streak in the nation.