No. 16 Texas Tech crushes Colorado in tune-up for No. 1 Arizona

Red Raiders dominate Buffaloes in Big 12 matchup ahead of showdown with top-ranked Wildcats

Feb. 12, 2026 at 4:39am

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Texas Tech bolted to a big lead early and cruised to a 78-44 victory over Colorado in a Big 12 Conference matchup on Wednesday. The 16th-ranked Red Raiders were led by Donovan Atwell's 20 points, including 6-of-10 shooting from 3-point range, as they tuned up for a showdown with No. 1 Arizona on Saturday. Texas Tech led by 17 at halftime and never let Colorado get back into the game, handing the Buffaloes their worst loss of the season.

Why it matters

This lopsided win over Colorado serves as an important tune-up for Texas Tech ahead of their highly anticipated matchup with top-ranked Arizona on Saturday. The Red Raiders showed they can dominate an opponent, which will be crucial against the nation's best team. Colorado, meanwhile, continues to struggle in Big 12 play and is in danger of missing the NCAA Tournament.

The details

Texas Tech jumped out to a quick lead and never looked back, leading by 17 at halftime and cruising to the 34-point victory. Donovan Atwell led the way with 20 points, including 6-of-10 shooting from 3-point range. J.T. Toppin added a double-double with 16 points and 18 rebounds, while Christian Anderson scored 14 points and dished out 7 assists. Colorado shot just 29.1% from the field and 24% from 3-point range, with Isaiah Johnson's 13 points leading the way.

  • The game was played on Wednesday, February 12, 2026.
  • Texas Tech and Colorado previously met on January 10, 2026, with the Red Raiders winning 73-71.

The players

Donovan Atwell

A sharpshooting guard for Texas Tech who led the team with 20 points, including 6-of-10 shooting from 3-point range.

J.T. Toppin

A dominant big man for Texas Tech who recorded a double-double with 16 points and 18 rebounds.

Christian Anderson

The Red Raiders' point guard who scored 14 points and dished out 7 assists.

Isaiah Johnson

Colorado's leading scorer with 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting.

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What they’re saying

“We must have been locked in and focused from the start. That's the kind of performance we'll need against Arizona on Saturday.”

— J.T. Toppin, Texas Tech Forward

What’s next

Texas Tech will face No. 1 Arizona on Saturday, February 15, 2026, in a highly anticipated matchup between two of the nation's top teams.

The takeaway

Texas Tech's dominant win over Colorado serves as an important confidence-boosting victory ahead of their showdown with top-ranked Arizona. The Red Raiders showed they can overwhelm an opponent, which will be crucial against the nation's best team. However, Colorado continues to struggle in Big 12 play and may be in danger of missing the NCAA Tournament.