UPDATE: In a stunning upset, No. 16 Texas Tech shocked No. 1 Arizona, defeating the Wildcats 78-75 in overtime on February 10, 2024, marking Arizona’s second consecutive loss. The thrilling showdown took place in Tucson, Arizona, where Texas Tech’s JT Toppin delivered a stellar performance, scoring 31 points, including 8 points in the decisive overtime.
Arizona, previously unbeaten at 23-0, faced a crushing defeat just days after their loss to No. 9 Kansas. The Wildcats held a late-game lead of 64-57 with 3:29 left in regulation before Texas Tech rallied with a 9-0 run. Donovan Atwell’s clutch corner three-pointer gave Texas Tech a 66-64 advantage with just 25 seconds remaining.
Arizona’s Ivan Kharchenkov managed to tie the game at 66 with two free throws, but Christian Anderson’s last-second jumper fell short as time expired, pushing the game into overtime.
During the extra period, Toppin dominated with four baskets, showcasing an impressive array of tip-ins and low-post moves. He finished shooting 13-of-22 from the field, adding 13 rebounds for his 47th career double-double. Anderson contributed significantly with 19 points, including six three-pointers.
The Wildcats struggled without key players, as star freshman Koa Peat was sidelined in the second half due to a lower-body injury. Peat had only managed two points and a rebound prior to his exit. Arizona was already missing backup guard Dwayne Aristode, who was out with an illness, forcing coach Tommy Lloyd to rely on a limited six-man rotation.
Texas Tech improved to 19-6 overall and 9-3 in Big 12 play, marking the third time in school history they have defeated the top-ranked team. Arizona, now 23-2 and 10-2 in the conference, faces pressure as they attempt to rebound from this unexpected setback.
As the season intensifies, all eyes will be on Arizona as they strive to regain their footing in the rankings. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the Wildcats respond in their upcoming games amid the mounting pressure. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
