Arizona Wildcats Edge Houston Cougars in Close Matchup
Saturday, March 14, 2026, 6:10 PM ET · T-Mobile Center
Arizona Wildcats 79, Houston Cougars 74, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Houston Cougars vs Arizona Wildcats?
Arizona Wildcats beat Houston Cougars 79-74 at T-Mobile Center on March 14, 2026.
Who was favored in Houston Cougars vs Arizona Wildcats?
Arizona Wildcats were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -130 (about 57% implied). The favorite won.
In a tightly contested game at the T-Mobile Center, the Arizona Wildcats emerged victorious over the Houston Cougars, finishing with a score of 79-74. This matchup was particularly intriguing as it featured two highly competitive teams with strong records, setting the stage for a thrilling encounter.
The Arizona Wildcats entered the game with a remarkable home record of 32-2, and they were riding an impressive eight-game winning streak. In their last ten games, they boasted a record of 8-2, averaging 79.7 points scored while allowing 71.0 points per game. Their recent form was bolstered by a strong performance against Iowa State Cyclones just a day prior, where they secured an 82-80 victory. The Wildcats had a solid home record of 5-1 in their last six games at home, showcasing their dominance on familiar turf.
Conversely, the Houston Cougars came into the game with an away record of 28-6 and were also in good form, having won four consecutive games leading up to this matchup. Their overall record in the last ten games was 7-3, with an average of 74.4 points scored and 66.1 points allowed. Their most recent victory was against BYU Cougars, where they won 73-66. The Cougars had a mixed away record of 3-2 in their last five away games, demonstrating their ability to compete even outside their home venue.
Historically, the Wildcats had faced the Cougars three times in the previous two seasons, with Arizona winning one of those encounters. In their most recent meeting on February 21, 2026, Arizona won 73-66, which added to the anticipation of this matchup. The previous two meetings had seen Arizona fall short, losing 58-62 and 64-72 in the 2025 season.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide any specific details, but the performance of both teams was crucial given their competitive standings. The betting market reflected the close nature of the game, with DraftKings setting the odds at Arizona -1.5, indicating a tight contest expected between the two teams. The total points line was set at 138.5, suggesting a balanced scoring affair was anticipated.
The game conditions were typical for a high-stakes tournament matchup, with both teams showcasing their strengths. Arizona's offense was particularly effective, as they managed to score 79 points against a solid Houston defense. The Wildcats' scoring was characterized by key plays, including a series of free throws in the closing moments that helped secure their lead. Notably, Motiejus Krivas and Chase McCarty contributed crucial free throws in the final minutes, pushing Arizona's score to 79.
As the game progressed, viewers witnessed a series of pivotal moments, including a significant three-point jumper by Mercy Miller that brought the Cougars within striking distance at 75-69. However, Arizona maintained their composure, responding with free throws that ultimately sealed their victory.
In summary, the Arizona Wildcats' victory over the Houston Cougars highlighted their strong home performance and ability to perform under pressure. With a final score of 79-74, Arizona continues to demonstrate their prowess in the NCAAB landscape, further solidifying their status as a formidable contender.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | ARIZ -1.5 | 138.5 o -110 / u -110 | Houston Cougars +110 · Arizona Wildcats -130 |
Leaders
- PointsKoa Peat21Arizona Wildcats
- AssistsBrayden Burries3Arizona Wildcats
- ReboundsIvan Kharchenkov7Arizona Wildcats
- PointsJoseph Tugler20Houston Cougars
- AssistsKingston Flemings7Houston Cougars
- ReboundsJoseph Tugler10Houston Cougars
Recent form
Arizona Wildcats
Last 10: 8-2Streak W879.7 scored · 71 allowed per game5-1 at home
- W82-80vs Iowa State CyclonesMar 13
- W81-59vs UCF KnightsMar 12
- W89-79at Colorado BuffaloesMar 8
- W73-57vs Iowa State CyclonesMar 3
- W84-61vs Kansas JayhawksFeb 28
- W87-80at Baylor BearsFeb 25
- W73-66at Houston CougarsFeb 21
- W75-68vs BYU CougarsFeb 19
- L75-78vs Texas Tech Red RaidersFeb 14
- L78-82at Kansas JayhawksFeb 10
Houston Cougars
Last 10: 7-3Streak W474.4 scored · 66.1 allowed per game3-2 away
- W73-66vs BYU CougarsMar 12
- W82-75at Oklahoma State CowboysMar 7
- W77-64vs Baylor BearsMar 5
- W102-62vs Colorado BuffaloesFeb 28
- L56-69at Kansas JayhawksFeb 24
- L66-73vs Arizona WildcatsFeb 21
- L67-70at Iowa State CyclonesFeb 17
- W78-64vs Kansas State WildcatsFeb 14
- W66-52at Utah UtesFeb 11
- W77-66at BYU CougarsFeb 8
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 36-3 | - | 16-2 |
| Houston | 30-7 | 2 | 14-4 |
| Iowa State | 29-8 | 4 | 12-6 |
| Kansas | 24-11 | 4 | 12-6 |
| Texas Tech | 23-11 | 4 | 12-6 |
| TCU | 23-12 | 5 | 11-7 |
| BYU | 23-12 | 7 | 9-9 |
| UCF | 21-12 | 7 | 9-9 |
| West Virginia | 21-14 | 7 | 9-9 |
| Cincinnati | 18-15 | 7 | 9-9 |
| Colorado | 17-16 | 9 | 7-11 |
| Arizona State | 17-16 | 9 | 7-11 |
| Oklahoma State | 20-15 | 10 | 6-12 |
| Baylor | 17-17 | 10 | 6-12 |
| Kansas State | 12-20 | 13 | 3-15 |
| Utah | 10-22 | 14 | 2-16 |
Box score
| Stat | Houston Cougars | Arizona Wildcats |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 28-64 | 25-54 |
| Field goal % | 44 | 46 |
| Three-pointers | 8-21 | 6-13 |
| Three-point % | 38 | 46 |
| Free throws | 10-14 | 23-27 |
| Free throw % | 71 | 85 |
| Rebounds | 34 | 35 |
| Offensive rebounds | 13 | 9 |
| Defensive rebounds | 21 | 26 |
| Assists | 13 | 9 |
| Steals | 4 | 2 |
| Blocks | 3 | 2 |
| Turnovers | 8 | 8 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 12 | 10 |
| Fast-break points | 8 | 4 |
| Points in the paint | 30 | 30 |
| Fouls | 21 | 16 |
| Largest lead | 2 | 15 |
| Lead changes | 4 | 4 |
| Time in front | 2 | 93 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half36-49Koa Peat makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half36-50Brayden Burries makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half36-51Brayden Burries makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half39-51Chase McCarty makes 22-foot three point jumper (Kingston Flemings assists)
- 2nd Half39-53Koa Peat makes 7-foot jumper
- 2nd Half39-54Koa Peat makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half42-54Chase McCarty makes 24-foot three point jumper (Kingston Flemings assists)
- 2nd Half42-57Ivan Kharchenkov makes 26-foot three point jumper (Anthony Dell'Orso assists)
- 2nd Half44-57Joseph Tugler makes 7-foot hook shot (Kingston Flemings assists)
- 2nd Half44-59Motiejus Krivas makes 11-foot hook shot (Brayden Burries assists)
- 2nd Half47-59Emanuel Sharp makes 24-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half49-59Chris Cenac Jr. makes 17-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half51-59Joseph Tugler makes driving layup (Milos Uzan assists)
- 2nd Half53-59Milos Uzan makes 10-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half54-59Milos Uzan makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half56-59Joseph Tugler makes layup (Mercy Miller assists)
- 2nd Half58-59Mercy Miller makes driving layup
- 2nd Half58-61Brayden Burries makes 8-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half58-62Brayden Burries makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half60-62Kingston Flemings makes 8-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half60-65Ivan Kharchenkov makes 24-foot three point jumper (Brayden Burries assists)
- 2nd Half62-65Joseph Tugler makes 11-foot jumper (Kingston Flemings assists)
- 2nd Half62-67Ivan Kharchenkov makes driving layup
- 2nd Half62-68Ivan Kharchenkov makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half62-69Ivan Kharchenkov makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half62-71Koa Peat makes 12-foot jumper
- 2nd Half63-71Emanuel Sharp makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half64-71Emanuel Sharp makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half64-73Brayden Burries makes 17-foot jumper
- 2nd Half66-73Joseph Tugler makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half66-74Koa Peat makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-75Koa Peat makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half69-75Mercy Miller makes 23-foot three point jumper (Kingston Flemings assists)
- 2nd Half72-75Milos Uzan makes 26-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half72-76Motiejus Krivas makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half72-77Motiejus Krivas makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half73-77Chase McCarty makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half74-77Chase McCarty makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half74-78Brayden Burries makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half74-79Brayden Burries makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Arizona Wildcats, below favours Houston Cougars.
Venue
- T-Mobile CenterKansas City, MO
- Attendance11696
- OfficialsKipp Kissinger, Marques Pettigrew, Doug Sirmons
Elsewhere
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- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season