Arizona Wildcats Suffer First Losing Streak of Season

Head coach Tommy Lloyd remains optimistic despite back-to-back losses for the nation's top-ranked team.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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The Arizona Wildcats, previously the best team in the nation, have suffered their first losing streak of the season after dropping two straight games against top opponents. Head coach Tommy Lloyd acknowledged the losses but expressed confidence that his team will bounce back, emphasizing the need to learn from the mistakes and continue building towards their goals.

Why it matters

Arizona's losses have raised questions about the team's ability to maintain their dominant form, especially on the defensive end where they have typically excelled. However, Lloyd remains steadfast in his belief that this is a minor setback and an opportunity for the team to grow and improve.

The details

The Wildcats lost to Texas Tech and another top team in the Big 12 conference, marking their first losing streak of the season. Lloyd pointed to defensive lapses and failure to secure key rebounds as factors in the losses, which are uncharacteristic of the typically stifling Arizona defense.

  • On February 7, 2026, Arizona lost to Texas Tech.
  • On February 12, 2026, Arizona suffered another loss to an unnamed top Big 12 team.

The players

Tommy Lloyd

The head coach of the Arizona Wildcats, who has led the team to success this season but is now facing their first losing streak.

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What they’re saying

“Losing here, though — making defensive mistakes, failing to grab key rebounds — might be a red flag, because it's not something Arizona has done often. All season, the Wildcats have ranked among the country's top defensive teams. All season, they have bullied opponents on the boards. Not this time.”

— Doug Haller, Senior Writer (The Athletic)

“If you think you're going to go through a season unscathed, you've never done this before. There's no shame in losing to Texas Tech. We got to learn from it and understand we're still a really good team. And keep building.”

— Tommy Lloyd, Head Coach (N/A)

“I'm happy, and here's why I'm happy. I'm going to go to the hospital right now, and I'm going to see my granddaughter, who was just born at halftime. I'm going to go hang out with her and re-set like a normal person. We're fine. I can't wait to get this team back on the court and kick some ass.”

— Tommy Lloyd, Head Coach (N/A)

What’s next

Arizona's next game is a rematch against BYU, another top team in the Big 12 conference. This will be a crucial game for the Wildcats as they look to bounce back from their recent losses and regain their dominant form.

The takeaway

Despite their first losing streak of the season, Arizona remains one of the best teams in the nation. Head coach Tommy Lloyd is confident that his team will learn from these losses and continue to improve, proving their resilience and ability to overcome adversity.