Texas Tech Stuns No. 1 Arizona in Overtime Thriller

Red Raiders secure NCAA Tournament bid with historic upset victory over top-ranked Wildcats

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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In a thrilling college basketball matchup, the No. 16 Texas Tech Red Raiders upset the No. 1 Arizona Wildcats 78-75 in overtime at McKale Memorial Center. The dynamic duo of sophomore guard Christian Anderson and junior forward JT Toppin combined for 50 points, with Toppin recording a historic stat line of 31 points, 13 rebounds, and zero turnovers against the nation's top team. The victory marks Texas Tech's third win over a No. 1 ranked opponent in program history, solidifying their NCAA Tournament bid.

Why it matters

This upset victory over the top-ranked Wildcats is a landmark moment for the Texas Tech basketball program, rewriting their history books and securing their spot in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. The Red Raiders' ability to take down the nation's best team on the road showcases their grit, determination, and talent, establishing them as a force to be reckoned with in college basketball.

The details

In a back-and-forth battle, Texas Tech and Arizona were tied 32-32 at halftime. The Red Raiders struggled early, shooting just 30% from the field and beyond the arc, but the duo of Anderson and Toppin caught fire in the final 10 minutes of the first half. Anderson led Texas Tech with 12 points and 6 assists in the opening period, while Toppin added 11 points and 3 rebounds. The Red Raiders' stifling defense limited the Wildcats' dynamic freshman duo of Brayden Burries and Koa Peat to just 6 combined points in the first half. Arizona lost Peat to a lower-body injury in the second half, but the Wildcats continued to battle, with Motiejus Krivas, Ivan Kharchenkov, and Jaden Bradley all scoring in double figures. However, Anderson and Toppin refused to be denied, with Toppin scoring 12 in the second half to force overtime. In the extra period, Toppin took over, scoring 8 points to seal the historic victory for Texas Tech.

  • The game was played on Saturday, February 15, 2026.

The players

Christian Anderson

A sophomore guard for Texas Tech who scored 19 points and dished out 6 assists in the upset victory.

JT Toppin

A junior forward for Texas Tech who recorded a historic stat line of 31 points, 13 rebounds, and 0 turnovers against the No. 1 Wildcats.

Grant McCasland

The head coach of the Texas Tech Red Raiders, who praised the fight and collective effort of his team in the postgame press conference.

Brayden Burries

A freshman guard for the Arizona Wildcats who was limited to just 6 points in the game.

Koa Peat

A freshman forward for the Arizona Wildcats who left the game due to a lower-body injury in the second half.

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What they’re saying

“Man, I love the fight of this team, and these two guys (Anderson and Toppin) wouldn't let us loose. I mean JT Toppin was not gonna be denied at the end of this game, it's a collective fight... It's a team game, that's what it's about, that what makes it so fun, and it took everyone to get it done.”

— Grant McCasland, Texas Tech Head Coach (Post-game press conference)

“We knew we had to get stops, rebounds, and not let them bully us on the glass, and keep fouling them to give them free points. We just said we got to lock on defense, get stops, and crash the glass, then go score on the other end.”

— Christian Anderson, Texas Tech Sophomore Guard (Post-game interview)

What’s next

The Texas Tech Red Raiders will look to build on this historic upset victory as they continue their quest for an NCAA Tournament bid. Their next game is scheduled for Tuesday, February 18th against the No. 14 Baylor Bears.

The takeaway

This stunning upset over the nation's top-ranked team solidifies Texas Tech's status as a legitimate contender in college basketball. The Red Raiders' gritty, team-first mentality and the standout performances of Anderson and Toppin have rewritten the program's history books and positioned them for a deep run in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.