Texas Tech thwarts Iowa State's chances at Big 12 title, NCAA No. 1 seed with 82-73 win

No. 4 Iowa State's chances at a Big 12 regular-season title and No. 1 seed in the NCAA men's basketball tournament suffered a setback withan 82-73 lossto No. 16 Texas Tech on Saturday.

The Red Raiders won their third straight game sincelosing star forward JT Toppinto a torn ACL injury in a loss to Arizona State on Feb. 17. Texas Tech shot 58% from the floor and 48% (14-for-29) on 3-pointers.

Donovan Atwell led the Red Raiders with 18 points, scoring all of his points from the 3-point line. Christian Anderson followed with 14 points and 7 assists, helping boost Texas Tech's record to 12-4 in the Big 12 (and 22-7 overall).

Texas Tech appeared to have the game in hand, holding a 79-62 lead with 1:35 remaining in regulation after two consecutive baskets by Anderson. However, Iowa State followed with a late surge, going on an 11-0 run. The Cyclones were helped by a bad pass from Anderson, leading to a turnover and Milan Momcilovic 3-pointer. That cut the deficit to 79-73 with 42 seconds left in the game.

On the Red Raiders' ensuing possession, Jaylen Wells' pass was picked off by Joshua Jefferson, giving Iowa State a chance to close to within three points. But Momcilovic missed a 3-point try and Texas Tech finished off the win making three free throws off Iowa State fouls.

Advertisement

Jefferson scored 22 points for the Cyclones, along with 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals. Momcilovic added 20 points, hitting 5-of-9 3-pointers.

With the defeat, Iowa State's record dropped to 11-5 in the Big 12 and 24-5 overall. The Cyclones could conceivably still play a role in deciding the conference title, facing Arizona on Monday. However, playing spoiler is surely not what T.J. Otzelberger's squad had in mind.

Last Saturday, Iowa State was the No. 4 teamamong the top 16 releasedby the NCAA tournament selection committee. Since those rankings were released, the Cyclones have lost to BYU and Texas Tech. That may have opened an opportunity for Houston (24-5, 12-4 conference) to get a No. 1 NCAA tournament seed, though it came in at No. 6 in the committee's rankings.

Texas Tech may have lifted itself into a top-four finish in the conference, which would lead to a bye through the first two rounds of the Big 12 tournament and an automatic berth in the quarterfinals.

No. 2 Arizona clinched a share of the Big 12 regular-season championship on Saturday withan 84-61 winover No. 14 Kansas. The Wildcats face Iowa State and Colorado (6-10 conference) to close out their schedule and will likely be the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament, which begins March 10.

byAdministrator

in

February 28, 2026

Texas Tech thwarts Iowa State's chances at Big 12 title, NCAA No. 1 seed with 82-73 win

No. 4 Iowa State's chances at a Big 12 regular-season title and No. 1 seed in the NCAA men's basketball tourna...

Read More

No. 16 Texas Tech hands No. 4 Iowa State first home loss

Every time Iowa State began to gain any semblance of second-half momentum Saturday, Texas Tech had an answer.

Whether it was a 3-pointer on one end, a block on the other or just stingy work on the defensive backboards, the Red Raiders simply refused to buckle to what has been dubbed Hilton Magic.

The result was another significant victory against a foe ranked No. 6 or higher this season, 82-73, which also marked the Cyclones' first home loss of the season.

Donovan Atwell scored 18 points, hitting six 3-pointers, Luke Bamgboye delivered his best game since stepping in as a starter for the injured J.T. Toppin with 13 points and Christian Anderson navigated second-half foul trouble to score 12 points and dish out seven assists as No. 16 Texas Tech (22-7, 12-4 Big 12) moved into a tie for second place in the conference with Houston.

The Red Raiders are 3-0 since losing Toppin, the 2025 Big 12 Player of the Year, to a season-ending knee injury.

No. 4 Iowa State (24-5, 11-5) got 22 points from Joshua Jefferson and 20 from Milan Momcilovic, but couldn't quite dig out of a hole that grew as deep as 45-25 late in the first half.

The Cyclones crept back within 65-59 with 7:08 to play on Tamin Lipsey's dribble-drive bucket and the capacity home crowd was at a full-throat roar.

That rally came after Iowa State was unable to chip away at a 16-point deficit despite Anderson getting tagged with his fourth foul right before the first media timeout of the second half and heading to the bench for nearly 6 minutes.

Advertisement

Jaylen Petty and Tyeree Bryan stepped up with Anderson sidelined, sharing the lead guard responsibilities and scoring a combined 17 points in the second half.

More importantly, Petty helped Texas Tech regain its footing after the Cyclones made their run. He pulled up for a timely 3-pointer and moments later hit a mid-range jump shot late in the shot clock. Both buckets came after Bamgboye blocked shots at the rim.

Atwell sank his final 3 with 4:47 remaining, and Bryan finished a 10-0 run with a driving layup to push the lead to 75-59, leaving Iowa State unable to recover.

Atwell's big day from beyond the arc helped the Red Raiders finish 14 of 29 from deep against one of the Big 12's best defenses.

Conversely, the Cyclones struggled to make shots from anywhere most of the game and finished at 39% overall (23 of 59), including 8 of 24 from 3-point territory. Jefferson and Momcilovic combined to connect on 13 of 28 field-goal attempts.

Iowa State clawed back into the game by cranking up its defense, especially on Anderson, in the second half. The Cyclones forced 10 turnovers in the second half, which led to 12 points the other way. Iowa State scored 17 points off turnovers in all.

Sparked by Atwell's 15 points, Texas Tech held a comfortable 45-29 lead at halftime. The Red Raiders made five of their final eight 3-pointers after a 3 of 10 start and knocked down 10 of 11 shots from inside the arc with 11 assists on 18 made field goals.

Jefferson and Momcilovic each notched 13 points to help the Cyclones outscore Texas Tech 44-37 in the second half, but the Red Raiders had enough in the tank to hold on for another huge NCAA Tournament resume-boosting triumph.

--Field Level Media

byAdministrator

in

February 28, 2026

No. 16 Texas Tech hands No. 4 Iowa State first home loss

Every time Iowa State began to gain any semblance of second-half momentum Saturday, Texas Tech had an answer. ...

Read More

Who is Taylen Green? Arkansas QB sets records with vertical, broad jumps before running 4.36 at NFL combine

Arkansas' Taylen Green broke a pair of NFL scouting combine records Anthony Richardson Sr. set in 2023 before the Indianapolis Colts selected him No. 4 overall in the draft.

The 6-foot-6, 227-pound Green logged a 43.5-inch vertical and leapt 11 feet, 2 inches in the broad jump, uncharted territory for quarterbacks in the event.

For reference, Richardson — listed at 6-foot-4, 244 pounds — posted a 40.5-inch vertical and flew 10 feet, 9 inches in the broad jumpthree years ago in Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium.

Then Green ran a 4.36 40-yard dash, the second-fastest time any QB has ever clocked at the combine.

NFL Network flashed a graphic on its broadcast comparing Green to Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf, but analyst Charles Davis quickly dismissed the notion that Green is entertaining a position switch right now.

"I just asked him very simply, 'With the day you're having and your build and everything else, have people approached you about doing wide receiver drills?'" Davis reported on NFL Network.

"[Green] said, 'No, they have not.'

"I said, 'What would you do if people did approach you to do wide receiver drills?' ... He said, 'Absolutely not. I'm a quarterback.'"

It's a sentiment many athletic quarterbacks before him have shared, most notably two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, and admirably so. But it's important to note that Jackson was a Heisman Trophy winner at Louisville. Green, on the other hand, didn't achieve nearly the same level of success in the collegiate ranks.

Interestingly enough, though, both played under Bobby Petrino.

Where did Taylen Green come from?

Green was a three-star prospect coming out of Lewisville High School in Texas. While there, he set the school record in the long jump and put up some nice dual-threat numbers on the gridiron. As a senior, Green threw for 22 touchdowns and ran for seven more scores.

He was the No. 660 overall recruit, including the 48th-highest rated QB, in the 2021 class,according to the Rivals industry ranking.

Green committed to Boise State, where he spent the first three seasons of his college career. He redshirted in 2021 and started a combined 22 games from 2022-23.

Advertisement

[Watch Yahoo Sports Network]

As a redshirt freshman in 2022, he eventually took over the QB1 job and helped the Broncos notch their first double-digit win season in three years. Green totaled 24 touchdowns — 14 passing and 10 rushing — and tossed only six picks, earning Mountain West Freshman of the Year honors.

His 61.3% completion percentage from that season ended up being a single-season career high.

In 2023, Green piloted Boise State to a Mountain West Conference title. Ahead of the 2024 season, he transferred to Arkansas, where he continued to showcase his athleticism but also inconsistency.

In six of the 12 games he played in this past season, he completed less than 60% of his passes. Additionally, Green was picked off 11 times, and Arkansas finished 2-10, although the Razorbacks were undeniably hamstrung by a defense that was eighth-to-last in the country with 33.8 points per game allowed in 2025. Still, Green's persistent scoring production, through the air and on the ground, is noteworthy.

A record-breaking QB workout in Indy

NFL analyst Lance Zierlein described Green's delivery as "long" and "unorthodox"in his NFL.com prospect profilewhile also pointing out the 23-year-old signal-caller's tendency to put the ball in harm's way.

That said, it's clear Green can create off script, and he has the talent to make all the throws and perhaps the running ability to make up for those he misses.

But he needed a head-turning performance in the combine to draw Day 2 or early Day 3 interest. He delivered Saturday.

AsRichardson has proven so far in the NFL, however, athleticism, no matter how impressive, is just part of a complicated equationat the sport's most prestigious position.

Ultimately, Green's consistency as a passer, or lack thereof, will likely make or break his pro career.

byAdministrator

in

February 28, 2026

Who is Taylen Green? Arkansas QB sets records with vertical, broad jumps before running 4.36 at NFL combine

Arkansas' Taylen Green broke a pair of NFL scouting combine records Anthony Richardson Sr. set in 2023 before the Ind...

Read More

Golden State Warriors, Gui Santos agree to multi-year deal

Golden State Warriorsyoung forward Gui Santos has been making strides in his fourth season in the Bay Area and it's being noticed - and rewarded.

The team announced on Saturday, Feb. 28 that Santos signed a multi-year contract extension with theWarriors. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the deal is a three-year, $15 million contract extension and includes a player option in the 2028-29 season.

Advertisement

Santos has shown himself to be a hard-nosed role player for the Warriors with his hustle, energy and doing whatever is asked of him.

He has scored in double-figures in 11 of the last 12 games. In that span he has averaged 15 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.6 steals in 28.8 minutes. He's shooting 58.8% from the field and 43.1% from 3-point distance.

byAdministrator

in

February 28, 2026

Golden State Warriors, Gui Santos agree to multi-year deal

Golden State Warriorsyoung forward Gui Santos has been making strides in his fourth season in the Bay Area and it'...

Read More

Ohio State S Lorenzo Styles Jr. runs 4.27 40-yard dash, becomes first player at 2026 NFL combine to go sub-4.3

Pure athleticism helped Lorenzo Styles Jr. transition from wide receiver to defensive back during his college career, which started at Notre Dame and ended at Ohio State, where he won a national championship withhis younger brother, Sonny.

Lorenzo's speed turned heads Friday at the NFL combine, just about 24 hours after Sonny put together one of the best workouts a linebacker prospect has ever turned in at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The smaller but swifter Lorenzo blazed through his 40-yard dash in 4.27 seconds, the fastest time of any player at this year's combine so far and the fastest time recorded by a safety at the event since at least 2003,according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, who cited NFL+ data.

NFL Network's Stacey Dales asked the Styles brothers' mother, Laverna, if she expected Lorenzo to runthatfast.

"Yeah, I did," she said," via NFL Network. "I actually knew he was going to run that fast when he only had got a 39 in the vertical. I said, 'Oh, he's mad. He's ready to go over here and do this now.'"

"Only" a 39-inch vertical, by the way, still landed Lorenzo the fourth-best mark among this year's participating safeties. That vertical was just 4.5 inches shy of the one Sonny wowed with, and Lorenzo is 5 inches shorter than his 6-foot-5 brother.

Although Sonny is a first-round prospect who may have just propelled himself into the top-five conversation, Lorenzo came to Indianapolis as a possible Day 3 selection in a deep safety class that features another one of his Ohio State teammates,Caleb Downs.

That's why his 40 is particularly significant. It could move the needle and make a difference in the later rounds of the draft for the Pickerington, Ohio, native.

Lorenzo and Sonny's father, Lorenzo Styles Sr., played for the Buckeyes from 1992-94 and eventually won Super Bowl XXXIV with the then-St. Louis Rams.

Advertisement

"My husband has worked with these boys since they were like 4 or 5 years old," Laverna told NFL Network.

"They thought they were playing games. They were running outside with parachutes on their back. They were 4 and 5 thinking it was a game, not realizing their dad's getting them ready for this day today."

Lorenzo Styles Jr. scattered 54 receptions, 684 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns while at Notre Dame. Before he transferred to Ohio State, he started experimenting with the defensive side of the ball.

"I was doing a little bit of both positions when I was at Notre Dame," Styles explained Thursday at the combine,via On3's Tyler Horka. "I kind of fell in love with DB.

"I don't have to run a dig route. I'm not set to certain routes. ... I get to use my athleticism to play the game. I feel like Ohio State gave me the best opportunity to play DB at the highest level: the coaching staff, the players, the environment — I feel like it prepared me for the NFL."

Styles still managed to find the end zone at Ohio State. He ran back a kickoff for a touchdown against UCLA this past season.

He also played a career-high 405 defensive snaps, according to Pro Football Focus, during which he mostly lined up in the slot and registered 30 total tackles, including 18 solos, and defended three passes.

The year before that, he worked his way into the Buckeyes' defensive back rotation. Styles assisted a dominant defense that contributed to Ohio State winning it all, a run that culminated in a victory over his old team in the national title game.

He's looking to take what he learned from both schools and make the jump to the NFL.

His 40-yard dash should give him a boost.

byAdministrator

in

February 28, 2026

Ohio State S Lorenzo Styles Jr. runs 4.27 40-yard dash, becomes first player at 2026 NFL combine to go sub-4.3

Pure athleticism helped Lorenzo Styles Jr. transition from wide receiver to defensive back during his college career, whi...

Read More

How tall is Diego Pavia? NFL combine measurements for Vanderbilt QB

Diego Paviais hoping to reach the highest level of professional football in 2026, but will his height hold him back?

TheVanderbiltquarterback shined for theCommodoreslast season, leading the group to the first 10-win season in program history. Pavia dazzled on Saturdays in the fall and finished as the runner-up to Fernando Mendoza for the Heisman Trophy as Vanderbilt challenged for a spot in the 2025-26 College Football Playoff.

While the college star proved capable of measuring up against the competition, NFL teams will likely care more about the number that the measuring tape reveals at the scouting combine.

Vanderbilt officially listed the quarterback at 6-0, butmeasurements at the Senior Bowlcame away with Pavia standing at about 5-9 7/8 inches. That measurement would make Pavia the shortest among current NFL starting quarterbacks, but not in NFL history.

For Pavia, passing the height test might be one of the bigger hurdles he faces in the pre-draft process. Here's a look at the measurements for Pavia at the NFL combine, as well as his NFL draft projection.

2. New York Jets – Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 3. Arizona Cardinals – Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 4. Tennessee Titans – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 5. New York Giants – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 6. Cleveland Browns – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 7. Washington Commanders – David Bailey, DE/OLB, Texas Tech

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 8. New Orleans Saints – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 9. Kansas City Chiefs – Makai Lemon, WR, USC

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 10. Cincinnati Bengals – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 11. Miami Dolphins – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 12. Dallas Cowboys – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 14. Baltimore Ravens – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 17. Detroit Lions – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 18. Minnesota Vikings – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 19. Carolina Panthers – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 21. Pittsburgh Steelers – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 22. Los Angeles Chargers – Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 23. Philadelphia Eagles – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 27. San Francisco 49ers – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 29. Los Angeles Rams – Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 30. Denver Broncos – CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 31. New England Patriots – Cashius Howell, OLB, Texas A&M

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 32. Seattle Seahawks – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

NFL mock draft: First-round projection with order set after Super Bowl

Diego Pavia NFL combine measurements

This section will be updated.

Advertisement

• Height:

• Weight:

• Arm:

• Hand:

How tall is Diego Pavia?

This section will be updated.

Diego Pavia NFL draft projection

Pavia is ranked as the ninth-best quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft class, according to USA TODAY Sports' Ayrton Ostly.

The former Vanderbilt star will undoubtedly be a popular name throughout draft week, especially after entering the Heisman Trophy race in 2025, finishing as the runner-up. It came on the heels of a breakout season that saw him complete 70.6% of passes, totaling 29 touchdowns and only eight interceptions. He also wasn't shy on the ground, tacking on 862 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.

Pavia earned plenty of praise for his ability to make plays off-schedule, producing highlight reel moments. However, questions remain about his size and whether he has enough athleticism to make up for it.

There is no denying his competitive spirit, moxie and what he did to help turn the Commodores into a winning program, but it remains to be seen how those skills would translate against better competition at the NFL level.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Diego Pavia height, combine measurements: How tall is Vanderbilt QB?

byAdministrator

in

February 28, 2026

How tall is Diego Pavia? NFL combine measurements for Vanderbilt QB

Diego Paviais hoping to reach the highest level of professional football in 2026, but will his height hold him back? ...

Read More