Report: TCU center Eddie Lampkin Jr steps away from team to deal with personal matters

TCU big man Eddie Lampkin Jr. is reportedly stepping away from the men’s basketball program to deal with personal matters, according to Frogs Today. TCU is slated to to face Kansas State on Thursday night in the Big 12 tournament, the postseason opener for both teams.

Lampkin has previously missed time for TCU this season due to personal matters, as well as an ankle injury that sidelined him for portions of the second half of the regular season. The exact nature of what has pulled Lampkin away from the team and traveling to Kansas City, Missouri, with them is unclear.

Lampkin was a key piece for TCU on its run in the NCAA Tournament in 2022 and had the potential to jump into a bigger role this season. However, despite being fourth on the team in minutes per game, he has averaged 6.3 points per game to go with 5.9 rebounds.

2023 Big 12 Basketball Tournament odds

The best conference in college basketball this season has been the Big 12. As many as eight teams could head to the NCAA Tournament while being highly seeded as well. The regular season was brutal for all 10 teams with the round-robin, 18-game format.

Now, all focus has been turned to the Big 12 Tournament. A champion will earn automatic qualification to the dance but realistically, only two teams need the title. Everyone else is safe as far as being in the Field of 68 is concerned. Adding a trophy to the cabinet is the main goal.

The Big 12 Tournament odds have been released days before the event is set to begin. To no surprise, Kansas is the favorite to cut down the nets once again in Kansas City after their regular season title. Texas is not too far behind in what should be as competitive of a tournament this week.

Of note: These odds were released prior to the news of Lampkin stepping away from TCU for the time being.

• Kansas Jayhawks +230
• Texas Longhorns +310
• Baylor Bears +500
• TCU Horned Frogs +600
• Kansas State Wildcats +650
• Iowa State Cyclones +1000
• West Virginia Mountaineers +1500
• Oklahoma Sooners +3000
• Oklahoma State Cowboys +3300
• Texas Tech Red Raiders +3500