UPDATE: In a stunning upset, the No. 1 Arizona Wildcats fell to the No. 16 Texas Tech Red Raiders, 78-75, in an overtime thriller on February 10, 2024. This marks Arizona’s second consecutive loss, a shocking turn for a team that was previously undefeated at 23-0.
Texas Tech’s JT Toppin delivered an extraordinary performance, scoring 31 points—including eight crucial points in overtime. The Red Raiders, now boasting a 19-6 overall record and 9-3 in the Big 12, celebrated their third victory over a top-ranked team in school history.
With just 3:29 remaining in regulation, Arizona held a 64-57 lead. However, Texas Tech surged back with a decisive 9-0 run, highlighted by Donovan Atwell’s corner 3-pointer that secured a 66-64 advantage with only 25 seconds left. Arizona’s Ivan Kharchenkov managed to tie the game at 66 with two free throws, but Christian Anderson’s contested jumper missed as time expired, forcing overtime.
In the overtime period, Toppin dominated, scoring on tip-ins and low-post moves, shooting an impressive 13-of-22 from the field while also grabbing 13 rebounds for his 47th career double-double. Anderson contributed significantly with 19 points, including six 3-pointers. The Wildcats’ Tobe Awaka also made a mark with 16 points and 12 rebounds, but the absence of star freshman Koa Peat due to injury proved costly. Peat had only managed two points and one rebound before leaving the game.
Arizona’s coach Tommy Lloyd faced further challenges as backup guard Dwayne Aristode was sidelined with an illness, leaving the team with just a six-man rotation. The Wildcats had led for most of the first half but fell behind 30-29 just before halftime due to Toppin’s jumper, with the teams entering the break tied at 32.
This defeat raises questions about Arizona’s capability to maintain their standing as the top team in the nation, especially as they prepare for upcoming matchups. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the Wildcats respond to this critical loss.
Stay tuned for updates as Arizona looks to rebound in their next game. This ongoing saga in college basketball is just heating up, with implications for the postseason looming large.
