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Saturday didn’t just shuffle rankings. It reshaped the national picture.
No. 1 Arizona dropped its second straight game after starting 23-0. Texas Tech went into Tucson and showed composure in overtime. Michigan and Houston controlled second halves with defensive authority. Duke maintained ACC control. Iowa State snapped Kansas’ eight-game winning streak. And multiple ranked teams relied on rebounding edges and free-throw volume to separate late.
This wasn’t a slate filled with fluky buzzer-beaters. It was about execution. About depth. About which teams can extend runs and close games under pressure.
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Latest College Basketball Odds & Lines
When the No. 1 team loses and top-five contenders win decisively, markets react quickly. Power ratings shift. Futures boards tighten. Conference prices move.
Overtime resilience boosts perception. Blowout second halves inflate confidence. Extended losing streaks widen spreads. This time of year, recency carries weight.
Track matchup projections, conference pricing, and movement on the college basketball odds and scores page.
College Basketball Picks of the Day
Late-season handicapping is about identifying sustainability. Is a defensive surge repeatable? Is a shooting spike temporary? Is a team trending upward or simply benefiting from matchup timing?
Comparing expert projections across ranked teams can help isolate value. Review current form and performance trends on the picks leaderboard.
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Monmouth Hawks
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Murray St Racers
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Feb 15, 2026 18:00 EST
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Top Takeaways
- Texas Tech proved it can close against elite competition, outlasting No. 1 Arizona in overtime.
- Michigan and Houston controlled games defensively, limiting opponents’ rhythm and efficiency.
- Iowa State snapped Kansas’ eight-game winning streak with disciplined perimeter defense.
- Duke extended its home dominance over Clemson with perimeter shooting and rebounding balance.
- Multiple ranked teams leveraged free-throw volume and rebounding margins to create late separation.
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Top 25 Game Recaps
Saturday’s ranked slate wasn’t short on statement performances. Overtime resilience, second-half surges, defensive clamps, and rebounding gaps defined how contenders separated themselves. Some teams protected home court with authority. Others proved they could win in hostile environments under pressure.
Below, we break down each Top 25 matchup through the stretches that mattered most — the runs that flipped momentum, the defensive sequences that sealed outcomes, and the execution that reshaped the national picture.
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No. 16 Texas Tech vs No. 1 Arizona Recap: Texas Tech wins 78-75 (OT)
JT Toppin delivered a signature performance with 31 points and 13 rebounds, including eight in overtime. It marked his 16th double-double of the season and gave Texas Tech its third straight win.
Arizona placed five players in double figures but couldn’t close. The Wildcats, who began the season 23-0, have now dropped two consecutive games. Texas Tech’s poise in overtime made the difference, especially in half-court execution and defensive stops down the stretch.
Christian Anderson logged all 45 minutes and contributed 19 points and eight assists, underscoring the Red Raiders’ composure under pressure.
No. 2 Michigan vs UCLA Recap: Michigan wins 86-56
Michigan turned a narrow 40-38 halftime edge into a second-half runaway. Yaxel Lendeborg posted 17 points and eight rebounds as the Wolverines secured their 10th straight victory.
The separation came from sustained defensive pressure and transition efficiency. UCLA struggled to generate consistent offense, and Michigan capitalized on extended scoring runs. With Arizona falling, Michigan is positioned to ascend to the top ranking.
No. 3 Houston vs Kansas State Recap: Houston wins 78-64
Houston suffocated Kansas State early, limiting the Wildcats to just five field goals in the first half. The Cougars closed the half on a 13-0 run and carried a 33-19 lead into the break.
Emanuel Sharp led with 23 points, while Houston shot 53.8% in the second half. Kansas State dropped its sixth straight, unable to overcome Houston’s defensive structure.
No. 4 Duke vs No. 20 Clemson Recap: Duke wins 67-54
Cameron Boozer recorded 18 points and eight rebounds as Duke defeated Clemson for the 22nd straight time in Durham.
Duke’s 10 three-pointers created separation, and the Blue Devils extended their lead to as many as 22 in the second half. Clemson shot just 35.1% from the field and struggled from distance.
No. 5 Iowa State vs No. 9 Kansas Recap: Iowa State wins 74-56
Iowa State snapped Kansas’ eight-game win streak by limiting the Jayhawks to 37.2% shooting.
Balanced scoring and perimeter discipline defined the Cyclones’ performance. Kansas’ freshman standout Darryn Peterson was held to a season-low 10 points.
No. 6 UConn vs Georgetown Recap: UConn wins 79-75
Solo Ball scored 20 points as UConn held off Georgetown to remain atop the Big East.
A late four-point play cut the margin, but the Huskies controlled the final possessions. Alex Karaban became the winningest player in program history with his 116th career victory.
No. 7 Nebraska vs Northwestern Recap: Nebraska wins 68-49
Pryce Sandfort drained six three-pointers and scored 29 points. Nebraska overcame 18 turnovers by dominating the glass 40-24.
An 11-2 run midway through the second half shifted the game permanently.
No. 11 North Carolina vs Pitt Recap: North Carolina wins 79-65
North Carolina played without its two leading scorers but still controlled Pitt. Jarin Stevenson and Seth Trimble each scored 19.
The Tar Heels extended their momentum while Pitt dropped its fifth straight.
No. 12 Gonzaga vs Santa Clara Recap: Gonzaga wins 94-86
Graham Ike recorded 21 points and 15 rebounds as Gonzaga moved into first place in the WCC.
The Bulldogs reached 25 wins for the 19th consecutive season, controlling pace and second-chance opportunities.
No. 13 Purdue vs Iowa Recap: Purdue wins 78-57
Four Boilermakers scored in double figures as Purdue limited Iowa’s supporting cast to inefficient shooting.
Braden Smith dished out 12 assists, moving closer to the NCAA career assists record.
No. 14 Florida vs No. 25 Kentucky Recap: Florida wins 92-83
Urban Klavzar sparked a second-half run off the bench, scoring 19 points.
Florida led wire-to-wire and extended its winning streak to five.
No. 15 Virginia vs Ohio State Recap: Virginia wins 70-66
Virginia dominated the glass 40-26 and shot 23 more free throws than Ohio State.
The Cavaliers extended their winning streak to six with disciplined interior play.
No. 17 St. John’s vs Providence Recap: St. John’s wins 79-69
Dylan Darling scored 23 points in a physical contest that included multiple ejections.
St. John’s controlled the second half and continued its strong Big East run.
No. 19 Vanderbilt vs Texas A&M Recap: Vanderbilt wins 82-69
Tyler Nickel, AK Okereke, and Devin McGlockton combined for 65 points.
Texas A&M dropped its fourth straight, lacking consistent secondary scoring.
No. 21 Arkansas vs Auburn Recap: Arkansas wins 88-75
Darius Acuff Jr. tied a career high with 31 points and knocked down seven three-pointers.
Auburn played without its leading scorer and struggled defensively throughout.
No. 22 BYU vs Colorado Recap: BYU wins 90-86 (OT)
Robert Wright III exploded for 39 points in an overtime thriller.
Short-handed after losing a key scorer early, BYU leaned heavily on Wright’s efficiency to secure the win.
No. 24 Louisville vs Baylor Recap: Louisville wins 82-71
Mikel Brown Jr. scored 29 points and sparked a late first-half run that shifted momentum.
Baylor missed its final six shots of the first half, allowing Louisville to regain control and close strong.
College Basketball Picks and Handicappers
With rankings shifting and conference positioning tightening, consistency becomes critical. Teams that can defend, rebound, and close under pressure tend to sustain value.
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