Texas Tech surges back, beats Arkansas in OT to advance to Elite Eight

The former Southwest Conference foes continued to trade blows in a frenzied overtime period. Texas Tech held an 83-81 lead with less than a minute remaining, but a twirling layup from Wagner once again knotted the score at 83-83. 

Unfortunately for Arkansas, the end of overtime played out just like the end of regulation. A basket from Texas Tech's Darrion Williams lifted the Red Raiders to an 85-83 lead with 7.3 seconds remaining, while a Wagner jumper fell harmlessly to the ground as the final buzzer sounded. 

As Texas Tech celebrated its first Elite Eight appearance since 2019 — the same year the Red Raiders advanced to the national championship game against Virginia — John Calipari, who got his first career defeat (35-1) in the NCAA Tournament when his team leads by more than six points at halftime, and the Razorbacks sat on the sideline, understandably stunned. 

The 2025 NCAA Tournament marked Arkansas' fourth consecutive Sweet 16 appearance in its last four NCAA Tournament appearances, but Thursday's game could've easily gone in Arkansas' favor had the Hogs managed to close it out the way they did against both Kansas and St. John's. 

Texas Tech will face No. 1-seeded Florida on Saturday in San Francisco for the right to advance to the Final Four.