March Madness Preview: Arizona State Stuns No. 13 Texas Tech as Upsets Rock College Basketball

Arizona State sent shockwaves through college basketball with a dramatic upset victory over No. 13 Texas Tech, as fans stormed the court in celebration of one of the biggest wins of the season. The Sun Devils overcame significant odds to defeat the highly-ranked Red Raiders in a game that epitomized the unpredictable nature of March basketball.

The victory was marred by a concerning injury to Texas Tech's JT Toppin, who went down during the second half and was unable to return to action. The extent of Toppin's injury remains unclear, but his absence was clearly felt as the Red Raiders struggled to maintain their composure in the closing minutes. Arizona State capitalized on the momentum shift to pull away for the victory.

Christian Anderson emerged as the hero for Arizona State, delivering a clutch steal and layup sequence that brought the Sun Devils within striking distance in the final minutes. His defensive play and timely scoring exemplified the type of performances that make March basketball so compelling. The crowd at Desert Financial Arena erupted as Anderson's basket made it a two-point game.

The upset was part of a broader pattern of surprising results across college basketball, with multiple ranked teams falling to unranked opponents. Iowa fans also celebrated a court-storming victory over No. 9 Nebraska, while Rhode Island shocked No. 18 Saint Louis in another stunning upset that had fans rushing onto the hardwood in celebration.

For Arizona State, the victory represents a massive boost to their NCAA Tournament hopes as Selection Sunday approaches. The Sun Devils had been on the bubble for much of the season, but defeating a ranked opponent like Texas Tech could be the signature win they needed to secure an at-large bid. Their performance showed the type of fight and determination that translates well to tournament play.

Texas Tech's loss is a significant blow to their seeding hopes, as the Red Raiders were looking to solidify their position as a high seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. The injury to Toppin adds another layer of concern as they prepare for the final stretch of the regular season and conference tournament play. Coach Mark Adams will need to find ways to adjust his rotation and maintain team chemistry moving forward.