Colle Hoops Weekend Update

By Elias Meredith

Sportz Nation - 2/16/26

SATURDAY:

1ARIZONA VS 16TEXAS TECH

Photo by: Rick Scuteri/AP Photo

The No. 16 Texas Tech Red Raiders visited Tucson, Arizona to face off against the No. 1 Arizona Wildcats. 2025 Big 12 Player of the Year, Junior JT Toppin had a monster game, dropping 31 points and 13 rebounds in an upset win.

Texas Tech’s 78-75 overtime win against Arizona gives them their third consecutive victory. Arizona dropped their second straight game.

Arizona led for most of the first half. A 9-5 run midway through the first half gave the Wildcats their largest lead of 8 in the first half, but Texas Tech stuck around.

Texas Tech would go on a 10-3 run to close the half. Consecutive threes by sophomore guard Christian Anderson, and a paint basket by Toppin gave Texas Tech their first lead since the 17:22 mark of the first half.

The game would be tied at 32 heading into halftime. Anderson led the way for the Red Raiders in the first half with 12 points, and the Wildcats were led by senior guard Jaden Bradley with 8 points.

The second half was tight. Several ties and lead changes, but Arizona created some separation late in the second half. Arizona had a 64-57 lead with 3:29 left in the game, but a Texas Tech 9-0 run capped off by Donovan Atwell three-pointer gave the Red Raiders a 66-64 lead with 25 seconds remaining.

Arizona would tie the game at the free throw line following a controversial foul call. Freshman forward Ivan Kharchenkov would tie the game at 66. This would be both teams' first overtime game of the season.

The overtime period was all JT Toppin. The Dallas, Texas native was responsible for 11 of Texas Tech’s 12 overtime points (8 points, 1 assist). This was Toppin’s fifth 30-point double-double of the season, which leads the nation.

Key to Victory:

Toppin’s overtime performance

In the five minute overtime, JT Toppin recorded 8 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist on 4/6 shooting. Toppin’s dominant performance was a great sign for the Texas Tech team that looks poised to compete for a Big 12 championship.

Next for the Red Raiders: Tuesday, February 17, at Arizona Sun Devils at 11 PM EST

Next for the Wildcats: Wednesday, February 18, vs BYU Cougars at 11 PM EST

SUNDAY:

BUTLER VS SETON HALL

Photo by Robert Goddin/Imagn Images

The Seton Hall Pirates visited the Butler Bulldogs for a Big East showdown at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Seton Hall senior guard AJ. Staton-McCray 15-point second half led to their first road win since January 10.

In the first half, it took nearly 5 minutes before the first basket was scored by either team, but once the seal was broken, both teams started to gain traction offensively. As the first half came to a close, both teams went on scoring runs. Butler went on a 6-0 run to capture their biggest lead of the game at the time, with 2:35 in the first half. Seton Hall responded with a run of their own, closing out the first half on a 5-0 run.

In the second half, Butler came out firing. A 6-0 run caused Seton Hall to call a timeout nearly two minutes into the half. When play resumed, Seton Hall went on a 10-2 run to take their first lead of the second half 33-32.

With 8:56 left regulation, Seton trailed 47-40, then AJ Staton-McCray happened. Staton-McCray scored 13 of his 15 second half points in the last 9 minutes. This is the first time the Delray Beach Beach, Florida native finished in double figures in three straight contests since December.

Butler struggled offensively to close the game. In the last 4 minutes of the game, the Bulldogs went 1/9 from the field. It would have helped to have junior guard Finley Bizjack during the late game scoring drought. Butler’s leading scorer suffered a wrist injury last Wednesday’s game against No 6. UConn.

Key to Victory:

AJ Staton-McCray’s second half explosion

AJ Stanton-McCray’s was the hot hand for the Pirates. His performance was needed for the victory, especially with his backcourt mate Adam Clark finishing 3/10 from the field.

Next for the Pirates: Wednesday, February 18 vs DePaul Blue Demons at 8 PM EST

Next for the Bulldogs: Wednesday, February 18 at Georgetown Hoyas at 6:30 PM EST

Thank you for reading!

Elias Meredith (@EAM_55)