Arizona State Upsets No. 13 Texas Tech Amidst Injury Concerns

On Tuesday night, Arizona State University achieved a significant upset by defeating No. 13 Texas Tech 72-67 in Tempe, Arizona. This victory marked Arizona State's first win against a nationally ranked opponent since January 21, 2025, when they defeated No. 23 West Virginia. The game was notably impacted by the injury of Texas Tech's star forward, JT Toppin, who left the game in the second half after appearing to injure his right leg while driving to the basket with 6:03 remaining. Toppin, a preseason All-America selection, finished the game with 20 points and eight rebounds but did not return after his injury.

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Arizona State's Maurice Odum led the team with 23 points, while Massamba Diop contributed 14 points, including a crucial three-pointer just before halftime that gave the Sun Devils a narrow 37-36 lead. The Sun Devils built a 57-47 advantage midway through the second half, utilizing a full-court press that forced multiple turnovers from Texas Tech. Despite a late push from the Red Raiders, who narrowed the score to 70-67 in the final seconds, a turnover by Christian Anderson sealed the game for Arizona State. Anderson scored 18 points but struggled with ball control, committing seven turnovers during the match.

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This victory is particularly significant for Arizona State's head coach, Bobby Hurley, who has faced challenges in maintaining a consistent winning record throughout his 11 years at the university. Hurley expressed concern for Toppin's well-being during the postgame press conference, stating, "Hope he's OK. Hate to see a guy go out of a game like that." The win comes as a much-needed boost for Hurley and his team, who now hold a record of 14-12 overall and 5-8 in the Big 12 Conference.

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Following this game, Texas Tech, now with a record of 19-7 and 9-4 in the conference, is set to host Kansas State on Saturday. Meanwhile, Arizona State will visit Baylor on the same day, looking to build on their recent success.

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• “Hope he's OK. Hate to see a guy go out of a game like that,” — Bobby Hurley, Head Coach of Arizona State

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While both sources confirm Toppin's injury and its impact on the game, they do not provide specific details on the nature or severity of the injury, leaving uncertainty regarding his status for upcoming games.

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