No. 16 Texas Tech upsets No. 1 Arizona in OT

Wildcats suffer second straight loss after 23-0 start to season

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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In a major college basketball upset, the No. 16 Texas Tech Red Raiders defeated the previously unbeaten and top-ranked Arizona Wildcats 78-75 in overtime. The loss was Arizona's second straight after starting the season 23-0.

Why it matters

This result shakes up the national rankings and NCAA tournament picture, as Arizona had been considered one of the top contenders for the national championship. Texas Tech's victory on the road against the No. 1 team shows they are a force to be reckoned with in the college basketball landscape.

The details

The game was tightly contested throughout, with neither team able to pull away. Texas Tech forced overtime with a late basket, then outscored Arizona 10-7 in the extra period to secure the upset victory. The loss drops Arizona to 23-2 on the season, while Texas Tech improves to 18-6.

  • The game was played on February 14, 2026 in Tucson, Arizona.

The players

Texas Tech

The No. 16 ranked college basketball team that pulled off the upset victory over the top-ranked Arizona Wildcats.

Arizona Wildcats

The previously unbeaten and No. 1 ranked college basketball team that suffered its second straight loss after starting the season 23-0.

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What they’re saying

“This was a huge win for our program. Our guys really battled and showed a lot of heart to come away with the victory on the road against the No. 1 team.”

— Mark Adams, Texas Tech Head Coach

“We just couldn't make the plays down the stretch to win this one. Credit to Texas Tech, they made the plays when it counted most.”

— Tommy Lloyd, Arizona Head Coach

What’s next

Arizona will look to bounce back in their next game against a conference rival, while Texas Tech will try to build on this signature win as they continue their push for an NCAA tournament berth.

The takeaway

This result shows the parity and unpredictability of college basketball, where even the top-ranked teams can be taken down on any given night. It also highlights the growth and development of the Texas Tech program under head coach Mark Adams.