Arizona Wildcats vs Houston Cougars Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 02/21/2026

Game Time: 3:00 pm ET, Saturday, February 21, 2026

Venue:  Fertitta Center, Houston, TX 

Where to Watch:  ABC

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Arizona +4.5, Houston -4.5; Over/Under:  142.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Arizona +4.5, Houston -4.5; Over/Under:  142.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Arizona +4.5, Houston -4.5; Over/Under:  142.5 points

Arizona Wildcats:  24-2 (11-2) (1st place, Big 12)

Houston Cougars:  23-3 (11-2) (2nd place, Big 12)

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Arizona Wildcats:  3-2  last 5

Houston Cougars:  4-1  last 5

Arizona is entering this game with a 24-2 record overall, an 11-2 record in conference games, and they are 6-1 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the BYU Cougars in their last game. Anthony Dell'Orso led the team in points in that game with 22 while Ivan Kharchenkov was next on the team with 18. Jaden Bradley led the team in assists with 10 in that game while Ivan Kharchenkov and Motiejus Krivas each led the team in rebounds with 7. They were 45.3% from the field, 42.9% from 3-point range, and 66.7% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 87.7 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 68.6 PPG against them. Arizona has an ATS record of 14-11-1 this season and their O/U record is 13-13.

Houston is entering this game with a 23-3 record overall, an 11-2 conference record, and they are 13-0 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a loss against the Iowa State Cyclones in their last game. Kingston Flemings led the team in points in that game with 22 while Emanuel Sharp was next on the team with 16. Milos Uzan led the team in assists with 6 in that game while Chris Cenac led the team in rebounds with 12. They were 42.1% from the field, 35.3% from 3-point range, and 63.6% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 77.8 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 61.6 PPG against them. Houston has an ATS record of 14-12 this season and their O/U record is 11-15.

The current betting odds have Arizona listed as a 4.5 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Arizona has looked great in their games this season with their 24-2 record overall and their 11-2 conference record which has them right at the top of the Big 12. They have been a great road team too with their 6-1 road record this year. Meanwhile, Houston has looked great in their games this season with their 23-3 record overall and their 11-2 conference record which has them right near the top of the Big 12. They have looked great on their home court too with their 13-0 home record this season. Houston is 4-1 in their last 5 games and they have looked great lately, being one of the best teams in the entire nation. They are off a loss to Iowa State in their last one and even though they were on the road, they still blew a late lead in that game. They will be looking to bounce back at home now, but this is a lot of points when they are playing against another team who has the potential to be one of the best teams in the nation too. Arizona has been the number 1 team in the nation for most of the season and they were one of the last undefeated teams too. They have lost twice now and both of those have been in their last 5 games, but neither loss was to a bad team either. They are off a bounce back win over BYU in their last one, but they will be looking to pick up a statement win on the road against the team that is challenging them for the conference right now. This is just too many points for one of the best teams in the nation who does have the talent to win this game outright on the road. The best way to place a bet here is on Arizona to cover the spread in this game. 

Arizona Houston Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Saturday, February 21, 2026 (3:00 pm ET start time) is Arizona 82 Houston 79.

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Arizona Wildcats: 7-3 ATS as a road underdog of 6 points or less or pick. 28-16 ATS versus good rebounding teams - outrebounding opponents by 4+ per game. 13-7 ATS when playing against a top-level team (Win Pct. > 80%). 11-5 UNDER versus up-tempo teams averaging 62 or more shots/game.

Houston Cougars: 3-6 ATS at home in February games. 32-15 UNDER in all home games. 20-10 UNDER in a home game where the total is 130 to 139.5. 28-18 UNDER versus good rebounding teams - outrebounding opponents by 4+ per game. 

Arizona Wildcats:  K. Peat (F) Out - Lower Leg. D. Aristode (F) Questionable - Illness.

Houston Cougars:  K. Jefferson (G) Out - Knee. B. Jackson (G) Out - Redshirt.

“We have an incredible challenge on Saturday, but these are the games we want to play in.” - Tommy Lloyd on his team’s upcoming game against Houston.

“We have a ton of respect for T.J. Otzelberger, his program and this fanbase. I don't know what it looked like on TV, but any time you get Hilton Coliseum on TV that is good for the Big 12.” - Kelvin Sampson after his team’s loss against ISU in their last game. 

J. Bradley 

B. Burries 

I. Kharchenkov 

M. Krivas 

K. Peat

C. Cenac 

K. Flemings 

E. Sharp 

J. Tugler 

M. Uzan

PPG: Brayden Burries (15.5)

APG: Jaden Bradley (4.7)

Reb/G: Tobe Awaka (9.6)

PPG: Kingston Flemings (16.6)

APG: Kingston Flemings (5.3)

Reb/G: Chris Cenac Jr. (7.6)

Coaches:

Arizona Wildcats: Tommy Lloyd (5th season)

Houston Cougars: Kelvin Sampson (12th season)