JT Toppin delivered a career-defining performance, powering Texas Tech past No. 1 Arizona in an overtime thriller that ignites the Big 12 title race.
Texas Tech just delivered one of the biggest wins in college basketball this season.
Behind a monster performance from JT Toppin, the No. 16 Red Raiders stunned top-ranked Arizona 78-75 in overtime Saturday night, handing the Wildcats their second consecutive loss and shaking up the Big 12 title race in the process.
For a program that prides itself on toughness, this one felt personal.
Toppin was the heartbeat of the victory. The preseason All-America forward poured in 31 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, notching his 47th career double-double. When the game moved into overtime, he took complete control, scoring eight of Tech’s points in the extra session.
Whether it was relentless tip-ins, physical post moves, or timely finishes in traffic, Arizona simply had no answer.
He finished 13-of-22 from the floor and delivered when it mattered most.
Texas Tech (19-6, 9-3 Big 12) now owns three wins over No. 1 teams in program history, and this one may be the most impressive given the stakes.
Arizona entered the week undefeated before falling to Kansas, and the Wildcats looked poised to rebound late in regulation.
With 3:29 remaining, Arizona held a 64-57 advantage and appeared in control. But the Red Raiders responded with grit and shot-making. A 9-0 run flipped the game, highlighted by Donovan Atwell’s clutch corner three with 25 seconds left that gave Tech a 66-64 edge.
Arizona’s Ivan Kharchenkov calmly tied the game at the line, and Christian Anderson’s contested jumper at the buzzer wouldn’t fall, sending the contest to overtime.
From there, it was Toppin time.
Christian Anderson added 19 points and knocked down six 3-pointers, providing crucial perimeter spacing all night. His outside shooting prevented Arizona from collapsing too aggressively in the paint and opened driving lanes throughout the second half.
Arizona (23-2, 10-2 Big 12) battled despite adversity. Tobe Awaka posted 16 points and 12 rebounds, while freshman Brayden Burries also scored 16.
The Wildcats were without star freshman Koa Peat for the entire second half due to a lower-body injury, and illness sidelined backup guard Dwayne Aristode, forcing coach Tommy Lloyd into a shortened rotation.
The first half was tightly contested, ending in a 32-32 tie after Tech briefly grabbed a late 30-29 edge before the break.
But in the end, depth, toughness, and a dominant superstar carried the night. Texas Tech didn’t just beat No. 1 - it made a statement.