No. 4 Arizona vs No. 2 Houston Preview, Odds, Predictions (Feb. 21)
- The Wildcats ended a two-game losing streak after beating BYU.
- The Cougars saw a six-game winning streak end after losing to Iowa State.
- This marks the 15th all-time matchup between the two Big 12 squads.
Four of the five best teams in the AP Top 25 will face each other throughout the Feb. 21. Two of them come from the Big 12 as the No. 2 Houston Cougars host the No. 4 Arizona Wildcats. The latter comes out as the slight favorite, paving the way for an entertaining showdown between two elite squads in the nation.
How to Watch
- When: Saturday, Feb. 21, 3 pm ET
- Where: Fertitta Center, Houston, Texas
- How to Watch: ABC
NCAA Matchup Odds & Lines
| Team | Odds | Spread | Totals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | -112 | +6 | O142 |
| Houston | -108 | -6 | U142 |
Game Preview
The No. 4 Wildcats (24-2, 11-2 Big 12) are enjoying an incredible campaign, standing out as one of the best teams in the country. They will look to get back on track after beating BYU, a win that ended a brief two-game skid. Brayden Burries leads five Wildcats averaging double digits with 15.5 points per game. Jaden Bradley stands third with 13.3 points per game but leads the team with 4.7 assists per contest, potentially having a key playmaking role in this contest. On another note, Ivan Kharchenkov could have an important defensive role as he produces 10 points per game but leads the team with 1.9 blocks per contest.
The No. 2 Cougars (23-3, 11-2 Big 12) have motivation to get back to the national championship game but will have to get through the tough schedule in the Big 12. They were rolling with six consecutive wins before losing to Iowa State on the road. Kingston Flemings leads the Cougars with 16.6 points and 5.3 assists per game and tops the backcourt with a 49.7 field goal percentage. On another note, Emanuel Sharp stands second on the team with 16.5 points per game while making a team-high 72 3-pointers on a 38.5% clip.
Arizona vs Houston Head-to-Head
The two programs have had 14 meetings in their history, and the result is 8-6 for the Cougars. The last matchup was on March 2025 when Texas Tech won 72-64 in the Big 12 Championship Game.
Arizona vs Houston Predictions
Houston fans will enjoy this showdown, marking the first time in program history that they host an opponent ranked in the top five of the AP Top 25. Both teams won’t suffer a severe drop with a loss here, but a win will significantly improve their case as a national championship contender. In this case, Houston has a lot to prove in its mission to get back to the title game. Our betting pick here is the Cougars to defend a 6-point spread.
- Free NCAAB pick:Â Houston Cougars -6
