With non-conference play nearing its close, the Big 12 made the most of one of its final chances to flex on the national stage-and flex it did. Saturday was a statement day for the league, finishing 6-1 with a pair of Top 25 victories and some eye-opening performances across the board. If this is a preview of what’s to come in conference play, buckle up.
Texas Tech Shocks No. 3 Duke at MSG
Let’s start with the headliner: No. 19 Texas Tech stormed back from a 17-point deficit to stun No.
3 Duke, 82-81, under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden. The Red Raiders didn’t just win-they delivered one of the most dramatic victories of the young season.
Christian Anderson was the heartbeat of the comeback, pouring in 23 of his 27 points in the second half. He iced the game with a clutch free throw with just 3.4 seconds left, capping a performance that was equal parts poise and firepower.
Down big to a blue-blood like Duke, in a building like MSG? That’s the kind of win that resonates in March.
Houston Handles Business Against Arkansas
Not to be outdone, No. 8 Houston kept its hot streak alive with a 94-85 win over No.
14 Arkansas. The Cougars were lights-out offensively, shooting 52% from the field and a blistering 44% from deep.
Emanuel Sharp dropped 22, while Kingston Flemings added 21, as Houston picked up its fifth straight win.
This wasn’t just a good shooting night-it was a complete offensive performance against a quality opponent. Houston’s ability to space the floor and knock down shots from the perimeter is going to be a major problem for defenses all season long.
Arizona Locks Down San Diego State
Meanwhile, No. 1 Arizona reminded everyone why they sit atop the rankings.
The Wildcats clamped down on San Diego State in a 68-45 win that was a masterclass in defensive execution. Arizona held the Aztecs to just 18 second-half points and an ice-cold 26% shooting for the game, including a brutal 7% from beyond the arc.
This was the kind of suffocating effort that championship teams are built on. Arizona didn’t just win-they erased San Diego State from the game plan.
Big 12 Depth on Display
It wasn’t just the ranked squads doing damage. The rest of the Big 12 showed off the league’s depth with several strong outings.
Kansas State lit it up in a 106-76 rout of South Dakota. PJ Haggerty was unstoppable early, going 8-for-8 in the first half for 16 points before finishing with 24 on 10-of-12 shooting.
The Wildcats shot a scorching 68% before halftime and had five players score in double figures. That’s offensive efficiency at its finest.
UCF also crossed the century mark, beating Florida Gulf Coast 102-80 behind a dynamic backcourt performance. Jordan Burks and Themus Fulks combined for 44 points, while Jamichael Stillwell added a double-double to round out a well-balanced attack.
Utah joined the party with a 101-77 win over Eastern Washington. Don McHenry caught fire from deep, knocking down six threes on his way to 27 points. Terrence Brown chipped in 20 points and a career-high 11 assists, as the Utes put together one of their best offensive showings of the season.
Colorado Stumbles Late
The lone blemish on the Big 12’s Saturday slate came from Colorado, who couldn’t hold a halftime lead and fell to Stanford 77-68. The Buffaloes were up two at the break but got outscored 44-33 in the second half. Stanford freshman Ebuka Okorie was the difference-maker, exploding for a season-high 32 points to lead the Cardinal to victory in the Hall of Fame Series at the Mortgage Matchup Center.
Final Takeaway
All told, the Big 12 walked away from Saturday with a 6-1 record, two Top 25 wins, and a handful of high-scoring performances that showcased both star power and depth. With conference play looming, this was exactly the kind of momentum-building weekend the league needed. If this is the level the Big 12 is operating at heading into January, the rest of the college basketball world better be paying attention.