Texas Tech vs Arizona Picks and Prediction: #16 Red Raiders Face #1 Wildcats in Tucson
#16 Texas Tech, sitting 18-6 overall and 8-3 in Big 12 play, travels to face top-ranked Arizona at McKale Memorial Center on Saturday, February 14, tipping off at 6:30 PM ET with ESPN's College GameDay broadcasting from Tucson. With the Red Raiders riding a two-game win streak behind elite three-point shooting (39.1%, 10th nationally) and the dynamic duo of JT Toppin (21.5 PPG, 10.9 RPG) and Christian Anderson (19.1 PPG, 7.7 APG), this matchup pits a battle-tested road team that's 3-5 against top-25 opponents against a wounded giant looking to bounce back from its first loss of the season after falling 82-78 at Kansas and ending a 23-game win streak. The Wildcats (23-1, 10-1 Big 12) remain undefeated at home at 13-0 with nine victories by 25-plus points, anchored by the nation's 2nd-ranked defense (89.7 adjusted efficiency) and Motiejus Krivas' interior presence, while Arizona has dominated the recent head-to-head series with nine wins in the last 10 meetings as both teams operate at opposite ends of the momentum spectrum entering this nationally televised Big 12 showdown.
OC Staff - February 14, 2026, 2:00 PM EST
5 Minute ReadTexas Tech vs Arizona Picks and Prediction: #16 Red Raiders Face #1 Wildcats in Tucson
Texas Tech vs Arizona Recent Performance
Texas Tech sits 18-6 and 8-3 in Big 12 play, riding a two-game win streak after steamrolling Colorado 78-44 at home Wednesday night. JT Toppin matched his career high with 18 rebounds while adding 16 points in the blowout, and Texas Tech finished with a 21-0 advantage in second-chance points. Before that, the Red Raiders snapped a two-game skid by dropping 13 threes on West Virginia in a 70-63 road win. Christian Anderson posted his sixth double-double with 13 points and 11 assists, while Donovan Atwell went 4-for-5 from deep. Tech is shooting 39.1% from three this season (10th nationally) and made 12 of 30 from beyond the arc against Colorado.
Arizona sits 23-1 and 10-1 in Big 12 play after taking their first L of the season Monday night at Kansas. The Wildcats fell 82-78 at Allen Fieldhouse, ending a 23-game win streak. Brayden Burries carried Arizona with 25 points and four threes, while Motiejus Krivas posted 14 points, 15 rebounds and six blocks. Before Kansas, Arizona was undefeated and coming off an 84-47 home demolition of Oklahoma State. The Wildcats are 13-0 at McKale Center this season with nine of those wins by 25-plus points.
Texas Tech vs Arizona Head to Head
Arizona owns this matchup lately, winning nine of the last 10 against Texas Tech. The all-time series has Texas Tech leading 29-26, but the Wildcats dominate in Tucson at 17-9. Saturday marks the first meeting between these programs as Big 12 conference foes, though they were Border Conference rivals from 1932-56.
Texas Tech Red Raiders vs Arizona Wildcats Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: Saturday, February 14, 2026
- Time: 6:30 PM ET
- How to Watch: ESPN
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Texas Tech vs Arizona Odds
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Texas Tech vs Arizona Team News
JT Toppin leads the Red Raiders with 21.5 PPG and 10.9 RPG, while Christian Anderson runs the show at 19.1 PPG and 7.7 APG (third nationally in assists). Donovan Atwell is cooking from three at 45.1% and sits seven threes away from tying Texas Tech's single-season record of 94. The Red Raiders shoot 39.1% from deep (10th nationally) and protect the ball with just 10.6 turnovers per game. Tech is 3-5 against top-25 opponents this season but has looked sharper in their last two wins.
Arizona will be without forward Dwayne Aristode, the first rotation player they've lost this season. The Wildcats are 13-0 at home with nine wins by 25-plus. Brayden Burries has been Arizona's best player recently, dropping 17-plus in five of the last seven games. Motiejus Krivas anchors the defense with his length and shot-blocking at 1.8 blocks per game, posting a double-double against Kansas with 15 rebounds and six swats. Arizona ranks 2nd nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency at 89.7, holding opponents to 38.9% shooting and 68.2 PPG. The Wildcats push pace at 73.1 possessions per game (10th nationally) and dominate on the glass at 2nd in rebounding.
Prediction: Arizona 85, Texas Tech 72
Texas Tech brings elite three-point shooting and one of college basketball's best duos in Toppin and Anderson. At 39.1% from deep, the Red Raiders can get hot and make any game interesting. But this spread captures what happens when a solid road team walks into one of college basketball's toughest venues against a team looking to make a statement.
Arizona just took their first loss and will be hungry in front of College GameDay. McKale Center is a different beast: 13-0 at home with nine wins by 25-plus. That 89.7 adjusted defensive efficiency (2nd nationally) will eventually slow down Texas Tech's shooting variance, and Arizona's rebounding dominance creates enough transition buckets to build a comfortable lead. Texas Tech is 3-5 against top-25 opponents and hasn't beaten Arizona in recent memory. Krivas' rim protection neutralizes Toppin's inside game, while Arizona's tempo forces Texas Tech to play faster than their preferred pace. The Wildcats pull away in the second half.
Best Bet: Arizona -9.5 (-104) Click here to get the best odds at FanDuel Sportsbook
Arizona is 13-0 at home with nine wins by 25-plus, and this number captures the home-court gap. Texas Tech shoots 39.1% from three, which keeps them competitive early, but Arizona's 2nd-ranked defense and rebounding edge grind them down. The Wildcats just suffered their first loss at Kansas and will be motivated to bounce back in front of a national TV audience with College GameDay in attendance. Texas Tech is 3-5 against top-25 opponents, and their last four losses came by eight or fewer, but McKale Center isn't your average road trip. Krivas put up six blocks against Kansas and will make life miserable for Toppin inside, while Arizona's pace (73.1 possessions vs Tech's 68.8) creates transition opportunities. The Wildcats cover at home.
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