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The college basketball world turns its attention to Tucson tonight for a top-25 Big 12 showdown as the #23 BYU Cougars face the #4 Arizona Wildcats. Tip-off is set for 9:00 PM ET at the McKale Center, with the game airing nationally on ESPN. Arizona (23-2) is looking to steady the ship after dropping two straight games, while BYU (19-6) enters as a dangerous underdog despite a devastating blow to their starting lineup.
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BYU vs Arizona Odds
Arizona opens as a substantial home favorite, though the double-digit spread is being tested by recent roster news from both locker rooms. You can track the latest college basketball odds for this Big 12 heavyweight clash to see where the smart money is moving.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| BYU | +621 | +12.5 (-112) | O 165.5 (-114) |
| Arizona | -1121 | -12.5 (-112) | U 165.5 (-112) |
BYU Betting Form
BYU is fresh off a thrilling 90-86 overtime win against Colorado, a game that highlighted both their immense ceiling and their current vulnerability. Robert Wright III was spectacular, dropping a career-high 39 points, while top prospect AJ Dybantsa notched a double-double with 20 points and 13 rebounds. The BYU Cougars stats and results show an offense that ranks 21st nationally, scoring 86.5 points per game.
However, the BYU injury report features a massive season-ending development: star senior guard Richie Saunders is OUT after suffering a torn ACL against Colorado. Saunders was the “heart and soul” of the Cougars, leading the team in three-pointers (64) and providing elite perimeter defense. Without him, BYU must rely even more heavily on Wright III and Dybantsa, while looking to reserves like Tyler Mrus and Aleksej Kostic to fill the scoring void.
Arizona Betting Form
Arizona returns home looking to reclaim their dominant form after a rare two-game skid, most recently falling 78-75 to Texas Tech. Despite the losses, the Arizona schedule and stats remain elite; the Wildcats rank in the top 15 for scoring (88.2 PPG) and 5th in rebounding (43.8 RPG). They are famously tough at the McKale Center, where they boast a 14-1 record this season.
The Arizona injury report has its own hurdles tonight. Star freshman and projected lottery pick Koa Peat is OUT with a lower leg strain. Additionally, rotation piece Dwayne Aristode is unavailable due to illness. These absences mean Jaden Bradley (13.4 PPG) and Brayden Burries (15.7 PPG) will need to shoulder more of the offensive load, while Tobe Awaka and Motiejus Krivas must dominate the glass to exploit BYU’s thinned-out rotation.
BYU vs Arizona Matchup Breakdown
This is the second meeting of the season between these Big 12 rivals. Arizona narrowly escaped Provo with an 86-83 win on January 26th, a game in which Richie Saunders played a pivotal role. Tonight, the focus shifts to whether BYU’s “next man up” mentality can withstand Arizona’s depth.
The battle in the paint will be decisive. Arizona is one of the best rebounding teams in the country, and without Saunders to help disrupt the perimeter, Arizona’s guards will have clearer lanes to feed their bigs. Conversely, Robert Wright III is on a historic scoring tear, and if he and Dybantsa can continue their high-efficiency shooting (48.5% as a team), they can keep pace with Arizona’s track-meet style. However, Arizona’s 50.7% field goal percentage at home is difficult for any team to overcome, especially one missing its primary defensive stopper.
BYU vs Arizona Predictions and Best Bets
While BYU is playing with immense heart, the loss of Richie Saunders is a monumental blow to their defensive structure and depth. Arizona is at its most dangerous when coming off a loss, and the home crowd at McKale will be electric. However, 12.5 points is a lot to cover against a BYU offense that still features two of the most explosive individual scorers in the conference.
Regarding the total, 165.5 is a massive number. While both teams love to run, the absence of Peat (Arizona) and Saunders (BYU) takes nearly 32 points per game off the floor. Our model suggests a fast-paced game that settles around 88-80 in favor of Arizona—covering the Under but allowing BYU to hang within the spread.
Best Bet: BYU +12.5 (-112).
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NCAAB Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
For more expert analysis on the Big 12 and tonight’s full card, check out today’s college basketball picks. Our platform features top sports handicappers who specialize in high-major conference matchups with verified winning records.
Check the handicapper leaderboard to see who is trending upward before the conference tournaments begin. You can also buy premium NCAAB picks for deep dives into analytics and betting trends. As the season nears its peak, keep an eye on the college basketball championship odds to see how tonight’s result impacts the seeds.
