Texas Tech falls 93-86 to Arkansas in a chippy Sweet 16 rematch, losing a 10-point lead as depth, defense, and fatigue expose major flaws late.
In a game that felt every bit like a March Madness showdown, the No. 16 Texas Tech Red Raiders suffered a gut-punch 93-86 loss to No. 17 Arkansas on Saturday, Dec. 13, in Dallas at American Airlines Center.
Just a week removed from a statement win over LSU, the Red Raiders looked poised to add another resume-booster - until the Razorbacks stormed back and exposed Tech's depth and defensive issues.
Texas Tech came out firing, jumping to a 31-21 lead in the opening 13 minutes behind electric performances from JT Toppin and Christian Anderson, who combined for a jaw-dropping 56 points and double-doubles.
Toppin dropped 30 points and 11 boards, while Anderson orchestrated the offense with 26 points and 11 assists.
But it wasn't enough.
Arkansas, led by the deadly trio of Trevon Brazile, Karter Knox, and Darius Acuff Jr., flipped the game with physical defense and relentless pace.
That group poured in 64 points, while Brazile dominated the second half with 18 points and 8 rebounds. The Razorbacks shot 62.5 percent from deep, grabbed 10 offensive rebounds, and added five blocks as they wore the Red Raiders down.
Tech's paper-thin rotation, just six players deep, couldn’t keep up.
Luke Bamgboye's absence loomed large, and four players logged over 32 minutes. The gas tank hit empty. Head coach Grant McCasland owned the breakdown.
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"I thought I mismanaged the game the last 10 minutes," McCasland said. "We missed opportunities to compete at the level we needed to, and they were more connected late."
The Razorbacks made strategic defensive adjustments, pressuring Anderson full-court, then doubling Toppin once Anderson started heating up. Arkansas was content to let Tech settle for twos and lived with it.
"We said, 'Make them beat us with twos,'" Brazile said postgame. "And they couldn't."
Now at 8-2, Texas Tech returns to Lubbock for a tune-up against Northern Colorado on Dec. 16 before a marquee clash with Duke at Madison Square Garden.
Saturday's loss may sting, but it also served as a wake-up call ... if Tech wants to be elite, it'll need more than just two stars.