# Kentucky and Texas Tech preseason basketball matchup

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/kentucky-and-texas-tech-preseason-basketball-matchup
> Updated: 2026-10-23T19:56:45.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

The No. 23 Kentucky Wildcats and No. 19 Texas Tech Red Raiders met for a preseason exhibition game at Rupp Arena. Prior to the matchup, it was confirmed that Texas Tech would play without star forward JT Toppin, who is recovering from an ACL tear.

Kentucky secured a 76-65 victory. Although the Wildcats struggled early with ball security and an 0-8 shooting drought from three-point range, they established a 37-33 halftime lead. In the second half, Kentucky improved their offensive execution, shooting 6-13 from beyond the arc and limiting turnovers to four, utilizing transition scoring to maintain control of the game.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-23: Arizona men’s basketball concludes exhibition slate with win over Eastern Washington

Arizona men’s basketball closed its exhibition schedule with a dominant 85-54 win against Eastern Washington, averaging over 23 points per preseason game.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kentucky-wildcats-defeat-texas-tech-in-exhibition-game

### 2026-10-21: Texas Tech basketball faces Kentucky without star JT Toppin

Texas Tech will play the Kentucky Wildcats in a preseason exhibition game without star forward JT Toppin, who is recovering from an ACL injury.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/texas-tech-basketball-faces-kentucky-without-star-jt-toppin

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Cite as: Kentucky and Texas Tech preseason basketball matchup. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/kentucky-and-texas-tech-preseason-basketball-matchup