Arizona vs Houston: Wildcats Stun Cougars 73-66 – Full Recap & Highlights
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Arizona celebrates a huge road win over No. 2 Houston – sole possession of first place in the Big 12 (Feb 21, 2026) |
Arizona vs Houston: Wildcats Pull Off Upset Victory Over Cougars in Big 12 Thriller
Posted on February 22, 2026 | By Kishwar Khan
In a heart-pounding Big 12 matchup that had fans on the edge of their seats, the No. 4 Arizona Wildcats traveled to the Fertitta Center to face the No. 2 Houston Cougars on February 21, 2026. What was billed as a defensive masterclass turned into an offensive showcase for Arizona, who emerged victorious with a 73-66 win, claiming sole possession of first place in the conference. [](grok_render_citation_card_json={"cardIds":["90a169"]}) This game lived up to the hype surrounding Arizona basketball and Houston basketball, delivering high-stakes action that college basketball fans crave.
Game Recap and Final Scores
The Arizona Wildcats (now 25-2, 12-2 in Big 12) overcame a tough Houston crowd and a stingy Cougars defense to secure their biggest road win of the season. Houston (23-4, 11-3) suffered only their second home loss in Big 12 play since joining the conference. Arizona led 42-41 at halftime and pulled away in the second half, outrebounding Houston 43-32 and dominating in the paint with a +18 advantage. [](grok_render_citation_card_json={"cardIds":["409872"]}) College basketball scores like this one remind us why we love the sport—unexpected twists and sheer determination.
Key performers included Arizona's balanced attack, while Houston's Kingston Flemings and Emanuel Sharp combined for solid efforts but couldn't overcome the Wildcats' size and efficiency. Arizona shot 51% from the field, holding Houston to just 37%. [](grok_render_citation_card_json={"cardIds":["ba5fcb"]})
Arizona vs Houston Prediction: What the Experts Said
Pre-game predictions heavily favored Houston, with spreads at -6.5 and models projecting a Cougars win by projecting Sharp to lead with 18.3 points. [](grok_render_citation_card_json={"cardIds":["2f6df9"]}) SportsLine's model and others saw Houston's elite defense (allowing just 61.6 points per game) as the edge, but Arizona's offensive firepower (87.7 points per game) proved too much. [](grok_render_citation_card_json={"cardIds":["fc65f9"]}) Sharp bettors resisted the line, finding value in Arizona +6.5, which paid off handsomely.
Where to Watch Houston Cougars Men's Basketball vs Arizona Wildcats Men's Basketball
The game aired live on ABC, with streaming available on ESPN.com and the ESPN App. [](grok_render_citation_card_json={"cardIds":["50ae9c"]}) For replays and highlights, check out ESPN's full coverage or Sporting News for detailed breakdowns. [](grok_render_citation_card_json={"cardIds":["d8ec0d"]}) Radio listeners tuned in via KPRC 950 AM for Houston or ESPN Xtra 81 for Arizona. [](grok_render_citation_card_json={"cardIds":["71a866"]})
"Arizona's road win over Houston proves they're not just contenders—they're the team to beat in the Big 12 this season." — Kishwar Khan, Qalamkaar Analyst
Influencer Insights and Threads
College hoops influencers were buzzing about this one. Check out this sharp analysis from @Sharp_Pulse on X, breaking down the betting value on Arizona: View Thread. [](grok_render_citation_card_json={"cardIds":["ec09e1"]}) And @AndrewSHoops2 highlighted Houston's offensive struggles post-game: View Thread. [](grok_render_citation_card_json={"cardIds":["bcc234"]}) These threads offer great perspectives on the game's key moments.
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