Arizona Wildcats vs Houston Cougars Pick – 3/15/2025

The Arizona Wildcats and Houston Cougars are set to face off in the Big 12 Championship game on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 6:00 PM Eastern Time at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri. This highly anticipated matchup features two of the conference's top teams vying for the tournament title.

Arizona Wildcats vs Houston Cougars Game Preview

The Arizona Wildcats (22-11) have demonstrated resilience throughout the season, culminating in a strong performance in the Big 12 Tournament. After finishing third in the regular-season standings, Arizona secured victories over Kansas (88-77) and Texas Tech (86-80) to reach the championship game. Guard Caleb Love has been instrumental, averaging 16.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. His 27-point performance against Texas Tech underscores his offensive prowess. Additionally, KJ Lewis has provided valuable contributions off the bench, notably recording 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists in the semifinal win over Texas Tech.

On the other side, the Houston Cougars (29-4) have been a dominant force, clinching the top seed in the Big 12 Tournament. They extended their winning streak to ten games with decisive victories over Colorado and BYU, the latter by a 74-54 margin. Guard L.J. Cryer leads the team with 15.3 points per game, while Emanuel Sharp adds 12.0 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. Sharp's 26-point outing against BYU highlights his scoring capability. However, the Cougars may face a challenge with forward J'Wan Roberts, their leading rebounder, listed as questionable due to an ankle injury.

Betting Insights

As of the latest reports, Houston is favored by 6.5 points, with the over/under set at 133.5 points. The moneyline odds stand at Houston -278 and Arizona +225. Notably, Houston has a 17-16 record against the spread (ATS) this season, while Arizona is 18-15 ATS. In their previous encounter this season, Houston edged out Arizona with a 62-58 victory, a game that fell under the projected total points.

Arizona Wildcats vs Houston Cougars Prediction

This championship game presents a compelling matchup between Arizona's high-powered offense and Houston's stifling defense. Arizona averages 82.2 points per game, ranking 23rd nationally, while Houston allows just 58.4 points per game, leading the nation in defensive efficiency. The potential absence of J'Wan Roberts could impact Houston's rebounding and interior defense, providing Arizona with opportunities in the paint.

Given Houston's recent dominance and Arizona's offensive capabilities, the game is likely to be closely contested. While Houston's defense has been formidable, Arizona's recent offensive surge suggests they can keep the game competitive. Considering the spread and the potential impact of Roberts' injury, Arizona covering the 6.5-point spread appears to be a prudent pick. However, Houston's overall consistency and defensive strength make them the likely victor in this championship showdown.