Texas Tech Heads to Tucson for Showdown with No. 1 Arizona in High-Stakes Big 12 Clash
We’ve got a heavyweight battle on tap tonight in Tucson, where No. 16 Texas Tech rolls into McKale Memorial Center to take on top-ranked Arizona.
Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. CT on ESPN, and make no mistake-this one has all the makings of a statement game for both programs.
Texas Tech (18-6, 8-3 Big 12) is coming in hot off a dominant 78-44 win over Colorado. Arizona (23-1, 10-1 Big 12), meanwhile, is looking to bounce back after suffering its first loss of the season-a tightly contested 82-78 defeat at No.
9 Kansas. That snapped the Wildcats’ 23-game win streak and added just a sliver of vulnerability to a team that’s been steamrolling most of the season.
Strength vs. Strength: Tech’s Perimeter Game vs. Arizona’s Firepower
This is a clash of styles at its finest.
Texas Tech leads the Big 12 in made threes per game with 11.5 and is shooting a blistering 39.1% from deep-good for second in the conference and top-10 nationally. They've already knocked down 276 triples this season, and they’re doing it with volume and efficiency.
In their last two games alone, they went 12-for-30 against Colorado and a red-hot 13-for-24 against West Virginia. That’s not just heating up-that’s catching fire.
On the flip side, Arizona doesn’t rely on the three-ball nearly as much. The Wildcats are last in the Big 12 in made threes per game (5.9), but they more than make up for it with pace and scoring depth.
They lead the Big 12 in scoring at 88.8 points per game and clamp down defensively, allowing opponents to shoot just 31.4% from beyond the arc. So while Tech stretches the floor and lives from deep, Arizona overwhelms with tempo and physicality.
This game is going to hinge on who can impose their will stylistically. If Tech gets hot from outside, they can hang with anyone. But if Arizona controls the tempo and forces the Red Raiders into tough looks, the Wildcats’ inside-out game could take over.
Toppin and Anderson: Dynamic Duo Fueling Tech’s Rise
JT Toppin and Christian Anderson have been nothing short of sensational this season-and they’re doing it on both ends of the floor. They’re the only pair of teammates currently on the John R. Wooden Top 20 list, and it’s easy to see why.
Toppin just recorded his conference-leading 15th double-double and continues to be a force in the paint, averaging 21.5 points and 10.9 rebounds per game. He’s the Big 12’s top rebounder and third in scoring-a rare combination of power and polish.
Anderson, Tech’s floor general, is dishing out 7.7 assists per game (best in the Big 12, third nationally) while also pouring in 19.1 points per contest. He’s not just setting the table-he’s eating too. With six double-doubles and seven games with double-digit assists, Anderson’s vision and pace have been critical to Tech’s offensive identity.
Donovan Atwell: The Sharpshooter to Watch
If you’re tuning in, keep an eye on Donovan Atwell. The junior guard is one of the most dangerous shooters in the country-ranking fourth nationally in made threes per game (3.63) and fifth in three-point percentage (45.1%). He went 6-for-10 from deep against Colorado and enters tonight’s game shooting 87-for-178 from beyond the arc.
When Atwell gets going, he can stretch defenses in a hurry. Combine that with Anderson’s playmaking and Toppin’s inside presence, and it’s easy to see why Tech has become one of the most balanced and explosive offenses in the Big 12.
Supporting Cast Stepping Up
LeJuan Watts is quietly putting together a solid season, averaging 12.3 points and 6.3 boards per game. Freshman Jaylen Petty has started every conference game and is contributing 9.4 points per outing while knocking down 46 threes on the season. Tech’s depth has allowed them to stay competitive even when stars have off nights-and that’ll be crucial against a deep Arizona squad.
A Chance to Make History
The Red Raiders are 3-5 against ranked opponents this season and 2-8 all-time against No. 1-ranked teams. Their last win over a top-ranked opponent came back in January 2022, when they edged then-No.
1 Baylor on the road. Earlier this season, they fell to then-No.
1 Purdue in the Bahamas.
But this year’s résumé already includes two top-10 wins-an 82-81 thriller over then-No. 3 Duke at Madison Square Garden and a 90-86 win over then-No.
6 Houston in Lubbock. This team has shown it can rise to the moment.
Tonight, they’ll need to do it again-against the best team in the country, on the road, in one of college basketball’s toughest environments.
The Bottom Line
If Texas Tech can knock down shots and keep Arizona from getting out in transition, they’ve got a real shot at pulling off the upset. But if the Wildcats dictate pace and force Tech into contested looks, it could be a long night for the Red Raiders.
Either way, this is must-see basketball-a marquee Big 12 matchup with serious implications for seeding, momentum, and bragging rights. Buckle up.