In a dramatic overtime showdown at McKale Center on February 14, 2026, the No. 16 Texas Tech Red Raiders stunned the top-ranked Arizona Wildcats, 78-75. The contest, held at ALKEME Arena in Tucson, was a showcase of resilience, clutch performances, and the unpredictable nature of college basketball. For Arizona, it marked a second consecutive loss after a remarkable 23-0 start to the season, raising questions about the Wildcats’ depth and adaptability as the postseason looms.
Texas Tech’s victory was powered by a historic performance from JT Toppin, the reigning Big 12 Player of the Year. Toppin poured in 31 points—including eight in overtime—and pulled down 13 rebounds, notching his 16th double-double of the season. According to ESPN’s Jeff Borzello, Toppin became the only player in at least two decades to record at least 30 points and 10 rebounds with zero turnovers against a top-ranked team. He also joined former North Carolina star Luke Maye as the only players to post 30 and 10 in a road win over a No. 1 squad.
“On a different level,” Big 12 Studios tweeted, capturing the sentiment around Toppin’s dominant outing. The Red Raiders improved to 19-6 overall and 9-3 in the Big 12, extending their winning streak to three games. This victory also marked Texas Tech’s fourth win of the season over a ranked opponent, with previous triumphs against BYU, Houston, and Duke. The last time Texas Tech toppled a No. 1 team was a 65-62 win over Baylor in January 2022, making Saturday’s upset all the more significant for head coach Grant McCasland’s squad.
The Wildcats, meanwhile, were dealt a tough hand before and during the game. Freshman reserve Dwayne Aristode was ruled out with illness, leaving Arizona’s rotation thin. More critically, star forward Koa Peat exited at halftime with a lower-body injury after not attempting a field goal in the first half. ESPN reported Peat would not return, and his status for Arizona’s upcoming matchup against BYU remains uncertain. Without Peat, the Wildcats struggled to assert their usual dominance in the paint, matching Texas Tech with 26 points inside—about 20 below their season average.
Despite these setbacks, Arizona had five players score in double figures. Tobe Awaka and Brayden Burries each tallied 16 points, with Awaka adding 12 rebounds off the bench. Motiejus Krivas, the starting center, posted a double-double of his own with 10 points and 11 boards. Ivan Kharchenkov contributed 13 points, and Jaden Bradley finished with 11. Yet, the Wildcats’ offensive rhythm faltered at key moments, and their normally deep rotation was stretched to its limits.
Christian Anderson was a workhorse for Texas Tech, playing all 45 minutes and delivering 19 points, eight assists, and six rebounds. Donovan Atwell chipped in 11 points, including a crucial 3-pointer in overtime. The Red Raiders’ ability to hit from deep was a difference-maker: they went 11-for-33 from beyond the arc, while Arizona managed just 4-of-16. This disparity in three-point shooting, combined with Texas Tech’s late-game composure, proved decisive.
The game was a see-saw affair, with both teams trading blows throughout regulation. The first half ended tied at 32, as both squads looked to establish their preferred styles—Texas Tech firing from deep, Arizona attacking the rim. The Wildcats briefly seized control in the second half, building a seven-point lead. Yet, with 3:15 remaining in regulation, Texas Tech mounted a furious 9-0 run as Arizona missed seven straight field goals. Donovan Atwell’s triple put the Red Raiders up 66-64 with just 25 seconds left, but Kharchenkov responded by sinking two free throws to tie the game at 66. Anderson’s last-second attempt bounced off the rim, sending the contest to overtime.
In the extra period, Toppin took over. He scored Texas Tech’s first six points, including a putback after a blocked shot, pushing the Red Raiders ahead 72-69 with 2:34 to play. Burries answered with two free throws, but Atwell struck again from the corner, extending the lead to 75-71. Awaka’s free throws and a putback trimmed the deficit to 77-75 with under a minute left. With 4.5 seconds remaining, LeJuan Watts was fouled and made one of two from the line. Arizona had a final chance to force double overtime, but Bradley’s hurried three-pointer at the buzzer was off the mark, sealing the Red Raiders’ upset.
The Wildcats’ woes were compounded by their struggles at the free-throw line (8-of-13) and an inability to capitalize on second-chance opportunities late. Arizona narrowly out-rebounded Texas Tech, 41-39, but couldn’t generate the extra possessions that had defined their early-season dominance. The absence of Peat and Aristode forced coach Tommy Lloyd to turn to seldom-used forwards Anthony Dell’Orso and Sidi Gueye for key minutes, a move that drew applause from the crowd but underscored the Wildcats’ depth issues.
“We just couldn’t get the stops when we needed them, and they made some big shots,” said Lloyd in the postgame press conference. While the Wildcats’ perfect run is now a memory, there’s little time to dwell on the loss with BYU up next and Peat’s status uncertain. Arizona fans will be watching closely to see how the team responds to adversity after such a dominant start to the season.
For Texas Tech, the win is a statement of intent and a testament to the team’s grit. Toppin’s performance will go down in Red Raiders lore, and the victory bolsters their NCAA tournament resume. “We knew we had to play our best to beat them here,” said Anderson. “Everyone stepped up.”
As the Big 12 race heats up, both teams face crucial questions. Can Arizona regroup and rediscover its early-season form? Will Texas Tech ride this momentum into March? If Saturday’s thriller is any indication, the answers will come in dramatic fashion.
The Red Raiders now look ahead with renewed confidence, while the Wildcats regroup, eager to turn the page and prove their early-season dominance was no fluke. College basketball fans, buckle up—this season’s far from over.