UPDATE: In a stunning upset, the No. 1 ranked Arizona Wildcats suffered their second consecutive loss, falling to No. 16 Texas Tech by a score of 78-75 in overtime on February 10, 2024, in Tucson, Arizona.
JT Toppin delivered a sensational performance, scoring 31 points with eight of those in a critical overtime period. This victory marks Texas Tech’s third win over a top-ranked team in school history, improving their record to 19-6 overall and 9-3 in the Big 12.
The Wildcats, who previously held a perfect record of 23-0, now drop to 23-2 following their recent defeat to No. 9 Kansas earlier this week. Arizona held a 64-57 lead with just over three minutes remaining in regulation, but Texas Tech surged back with a 9-0 run, highlighted by Donovan Atwell’s clutch corner three-pointer that gave them a 66-64 advantage.
Arizona’s Ivan Kharchenkov managed to tie the game at 66 with two free throws, but Christian Anderson’s last-second jumper could not find the mark as time expired, forcing the game into overtime.
During the extra period, Toppin dominated, executing a series of tip-ins and low-post moves to secure the win. He finished the game shooting 13-of-22 from the field and grabbed 13 rebounds, marking his 47th career double-double. Anderson contributed significantly with 19 points, sinking six three-pointers, while Arizona’s Tobe Awaka and freshman Brayden Burries each added 16 points.
The Wildcats faced additional challenges, as star freshman Koa Peat was sidelined in the second half due to a lower-body injury after scoring just two points. Backup guard Dwayne Aristode was also unavailable due to illness, leaving Arizona’s coach Tommy Lloyd with a limited six-man rotation.
This shocking defeat raises questions about Arizona’s ability to bounce back as they prepare for upcoming matchups. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the Wildcats respond to this adversity.
What’s Next: Arizona will need to regroup quickly as they look to reclaim their winning form in the coming games. Expect heightened scrutiny and anticipation as they navigate the rest of the season following this unexpected setback.
