A few weeks ago, while preparing to be the sideline reporter on an Arizona State-Texas Tech game, I was asked by a producer whom I believed should be the Big 12 Player of the Year. I had to think for a second.

JT Toppin had 30 points and 14 rebounds as ninth-ranked Texas Tech led throughout in a 91-75 win over Colorado.

Award season is around the corner, so here's a look at the cases for Texas Tech basketball's JT Toppin and Grant McCasland to earn the Big 12's highest honors.