Texas Tech Coach Devastated After Crushing Loss to Arizona State

Red Raiders fall to Sun Devils 72-67 after historic win over No. 1 Arizona

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Texas Tech head coach Grant McCasland expressed his disappointment and shock following his team's 72-67 loss to Arizona State, just days after the Red Raiders had secured a historic win over No. 1 Arizona. McCasland cited his team's 17 turnovers that led to 21 points for Arizona State as the key difference in the game, despite the Sun Devils being one of the worst defensive teams in the league. The biggest concern moving forward is the status of reigning Big 12 Player of the Year JT Toppin, who went down with a right knee injury during the game.

Why it matters

This loss is a major setback for Texas Tech, who had built momentum after their big win over Arizona. The Red Raiders were hoping to build on that success with a split on their desert road trip, but instead suffered a crushing defeat that leaves them reeling. The injury to Toppin also raises major concerns, as he is a crucial player for Texas Tech's success this season.

The details

Texas Tech led Arizona State for much of the game, but the Sun Devils' ability to force 17 turnovers and score 21 points off those miscues proved to be the difference. McCasland cited his team's lack of fight and grit on the defensive end in key moments as another factor in the loss. The Red Raiders' offense also struggled, unable to overcome the turnovers and defensive lapses.

  • Texas Tech defeated No. 1 Arizona 75-67 on Saturday, February 15, 2026.
  • The loss to Arizona State occurred on Monday, February 17, 2026.

The players

Grant McCasland

The head coach of the Texas Tech Red Raiders basketball team.

JT Toppin

The reigning Big 12 Player of the Year and a key player for the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

Bobby Hurley

The head coach of the Arizona State Sun Devils basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“They got one of the better offensive teams in our league. I actually told Coach Hurley before the game just the way they've been playing the last few games, they're hanging in there. I thought they shot the ball well. They got a lot of guys that can score. Just disappointed in our approach going into the game. I thought our practices were right. And felt like our competitiveness going into the game was right. I thought the mentality was right. I thought our guys understood what we were up against in this game.”

— Grant McCasland, Head Coach, Texas Tech Red Raiders (Texas Tech Sports Network/Learfield)

“Honestly I don't have much. I just know they looked at him and obviously decided that he couldn't come back into the game. So we'll get him looked at and evaluate it from here.”

— Grant McCasland, Head Coach, Texas Tech Red Raiders (Texas Tech Sports Network/Learfield)

What’s next

The Texas Tech Red Raiders will await the results of JT Toppin's medical evaluation to determine the extent of his right knee injury and his status moving forward.

The takeaway

This loss is a major setback for the Texas Tech Red Raiders, who had built momentum after their historic win over No. 1 Arizona. The team's inability to protect the ball and the potential loss of their star player, JT Toppin, raises serious concerns about their ability to bounce back and compete at the highest level in the Big 12 this season.