Arizona vs Houston Prediction 2/21/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Arizona Wildcats and the Houston Cougars meet Saturday in college basketball action from Hofheinz Pavilion. Here’s an Arizona vs Houston prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Arizona vs Houston pick. We will examine the recent form and player performances for both teams, as well as the recent betting trends and streaks pertaining to this matchup. As we conclude, we will tie it all together with a summary that produces a sensible pick for a favorable betting outcome in this game.

Arizona Wildcats Betting Preview

Arizona kicked off the year with a great unbeaten record. In their first 23 games, Arizona took out Florida, Utah Tech, Northern Arizona, UCLA, UConn, Denver, Norfolk State, Auburn, Alabama, Abilene Christian, San Diego State, Bethune-Cookman, South Dakota State, Utah, Kansas State, TCU, Arizona State, UCF, Cincinnati, BYU, Arizona State and Oklahoma State. After losses to Kansas and Texas Tech, the Wildcats had a 23-2 record in 25 games.

In the BYU matchup on Wednesday the Wildcats managed a seven-point lead 42-35 by the end of the first half. Arizona kept the pace from there on a 33-33 run and took the victory in the end 75-68 on their home floor. Anthony Dell’Orso led the charge on 22 points with four rebounds and Jaden Bradley doubled up on 12 points with 10 assists and four rebounds in 38 minutes of action.

Houston Cougars Betting Preview

Over on the Cougars’ side, they managed to go 6-1 over their first seven outings. Next came victories versus Notre Dame, Florida State, Jackson State, New Orleans, Arkansas, Middle Tennessee, Cincinnati, Texas Tech, Baylor, West Virginia and Arizona State before a loss to Texas Tech. Next came victories versus TCU, Cincinnati, UCF, BYU, Utah and Kansas State, then a loss to Iowa State.

On Monday in the Iowa State matchup the Cougars were trailing by three points 43-40 by the break. Houston kept the pace from there on a 27-27 run but couldn’t get any closer in an eventual loss on the road 70-67. Leading the team in scoring was Kingston Flemings with 22 points, five boards and four assists. Emanuel Sharp added 16 points with two assists and one rebound.

Arizona Wildcats @ Houston Cougars Betting Trends: February 21, 2026

Why the Houston Cougars will win

• Houston has won each of its last 20 games as a top-3 AP-ranked team at Fertitta Center.
• Arizona has lost five of its last six games as a top-5 AP-ranked team against a top-10 AP-ranked team.

Why the Arizona Wildcats will win

• Arizona has won nine of its last 10 day games.
• Houston has lost three of its last four games as a top-5 AP-ranked team against an AP-ranked team.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Houston’s last six games against Top 5 AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 137 or fewer points.
• Each of Arizona’s last six road games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 159+ points.

Arizona vs Houston Prediction

I’ll lean toward Arizona but you could make a case either way. The Wildcats were able to keep a good BYU team at bay in a home win this week, hitting 45.3 percent from the field with a 35-29 rebounding advantage, 16 team assists and just eight turnovers. Arizona really needed that win after a pair of consecutive losses to Kansas and Texas Tech, coming by a combined seven points (one on the road and one in overtime).

As for Houston, they’re coming off a tough loss to a great Iowa State team in a road matchup this week. The Cougars shot 42.1 percent from the field in that one with a 33-30 rebounding edge and just five turnovers. Houston wasn’t great from the line though (7-of-11 for 63.6 percent) and got outscored in the paint 28-16. I could see the Cougars powering out a win here if all goes well, but it’s a coin flip.

Andrew Jett's Pick: Arizona Wildcats +5.5