In a thrilling Sweet 16 showdown, the Texas Tech Red Raiders staged a remarkable comeback, overcoming a 16-point deficit in the second half to defeat the Arkansas Razorbacks 85-83 in overtime at the Chase Center in San Francisco on March 27, 2025. This victory propels Texas Tech into the Elite Eight, where they will face the top-seeded Florida Gators on March 29, 2025.
The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Arkansas controlling the tempo for most of the match. Led by Johnell Davis, who scored a season-high 30 points, the Razorbacks built a commanding 61-45 lead with just over 10 minutes left in the second half. However, the Red Raiders, seeded third in the tournament, refused to back down.
Christian Anderson played a pivotal role in the comeback, scoring three critical three-pointers during a 16-3 run that allowed Texas Tech to tie the game at 72-72 with only seconds remaining. Darrion Williams, who contributed significantly with 20 points, hit a clutch three-pointer with just 9.7 seconds left in regulation to equalize the score after Arkansas's Jonas Aidoo missed a crucial free throw.
As the game transitioned into overtime, JT Toppin, another standout for the Red Raiders, scored to give Texas Tech its first lead since the early moments of the game. The back-and-forth action continued, with D.J. Wagner tying the game for Arkansas with 34 seconds left. However, Williams answered with a decisive basket that ultimately sealed the victory for Texas Tech.
Throughout the game, the Red Raiders displayed their resilience and determination. Texas Tech's relentless offensive rebounding—amassing 22 offensive boards—led to 16 second-chance points, a critical factor in their victory. The Red Raiders outshot the Razorbacks, taking 18 more attempts, which proved crucial in a tightly contested matchup.
For Arkansas, despite the heartbreaking loss, Karter Knox also contributed significantly with 20 points. The Razorbacks, under the guidance of head coach John Calipari, faced a challenging end to their season, marking a disappointing exit in his first year at the helm. Calipari, who had a perfect record of 35-0 when leading by six points or more at halftime, could only watch as his team faltered in the final minutes.
The game also marked a historic moment for Texas Tech, as they advanced to the Elite Eight for the third time in program history. Their previous appearances in this round culminated in a heartbreaking loss to Virginia in the 2019 championship game. With aspirations of reaching the Final Four, the Red Raiders will look to build on this momentum against Florida.
In an interesting twist, Texas Tech was without their top outside shooter, Chance McMillian, who missed his fourth straight game due to an oblique injury. Meanwhile, Arkansas welcomed back forward Adou Thiero, who played five minutes in his return from a knee injury sustained earlier in the season.
The Razorbacks had initially seemed poised to advance, but the Red Raiders' tenacity and ability to capitalize on their opponents' mistakes ultimately led to a memorable victory. As the dust settles on this exhilarating Sweet 16 matchup, Texas Tech fans can look forward to what lies ahead in the tournament, while Arkansas reflects on a season filled with potential and promise.
