No. 1 Arizona Wildcats Defeat No. 16 Texas Tech Red Raiders

The top-ranked Wildcats basketball team hosted the Red Raiders in a highly anticipated matchup at McKale Memorial Center.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The No. 1-ranked Arizona Wildcats basketball team defeated the No. 16 Texas Tech Red Raiders 82-75 in a closely contested game played at the McKale Memorial Center in Tucson, Arizona on February 14, 2026.

Why it matters

This victory keeps the Wildcats undefeated and solidifies their position as one of the top teams in the country. The matchup between the two highly ranked programs generated significant interest and excitement among college basketball fans.

The details

The Wildcats were led by strong performances from forward Tobe Awaka, who scored 22 points, and center Motiejus Krivas, who had a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds. The Red Raiders kept the game close throughout, but the Wildcats' depth and balanced scoring attack proved to be too much in the end.

  • The game was played on February 14, 2026 at 6:03 p.m. MT.
  • The Wildcats and Red Raiders faced off in a highly anticipated matchup between two top 25 teams.

The players

Brayden Burries

A guard for the Arizona Wildcats basketball team.

Motiejus Krivas

The starting center for the Arizona Wildcats who recorded a double-double in the game.

Tobe Awaka

A forward for the Arizona Wildcats who led the team in scoring with 22 points.

LeJuan Watts

A forward for the Texas Tech Red Raiders who attempted to defend against the Wildcats' offense.

JT Toppin

A forward for the Texas Tech Red Raiders who had a key block during the game.

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What they’re saying

“Our guys really battled tonight against a tough Texas Tech team. I'm proud of the way we executed our game plan and made the plays we needed to come away with the win.”

— Tommy Lloyd, Head Coach, Arizona Wildcats (azcentral.com)

What’s next

The Wildcats will look to continue their undefeated season as they host the Oregon Ducks on February 21, 2026. The Red Raiders will try to rebound from this loss when they take on the Baylor Bears on February 18, 2026.

The takeaway

The Arizona Wildcats demonstrated their status as one of the elite teams in college basketball with this hard-fought victory over a ranked opponent. Their balanced scoring attack and stifling defense proved to be the difference in this marquee matchup.