BYU Cougars vs Arizona Wildcats Preview & Prediction - 2/18/2026

Wednesday night’s Big 12 basketball showdown between the BYU Cougars and the Arizona Wildcats will be an interesting one in Tucson. Arizona enters this game seeking to rebound from back-to-back setbacks after a 23-0 start to the season, while BYU is looking to capitalize on its recent momentum despite a season-ending loss of one of its key veterans. With both teams entering with potent offenses, this matchup is expected to be high-scoring as these teams battle it out for Big 12 positioning. Before it begins, continue reading to find my BYU vs Arizona prediction.

Our BYU vs Arizona Pick

Pick: BYU +11.5 ATS PRO

Confidence: 3/5

Game Snapshot

• Matchup: BYU Cougars @ Arizona Wildcats
• Date & Time: Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 9:00 PM ET
• Venue: McKale Center at ALKEME Arena, Tucson, Arizona
• Broadcast: ESPN

Key Players

Arizona Wildcats

• Brayden Burries - One of Arizona’s primary scoring threats, making both offensive and defensive plays, including a late block to secure a win earlier in the season. Burries’ ability to impact both ends will be critical.
• Tobe Awaka - Expected to move into a starting role in the absence of Koa Peat, Awaka’s rebounding and interior scoring will be vital for Arizona to control the paint.
• Evan Nelson and Sidi Gueye - Expanded roles off the bench could provide secondary scoring and depth for the Wildcats as they manage personnel gaps.

BYU Cougars

• AJ Dybantsa - The Cougars’ leading offensive force, Dybantsa is averaging over 24 points and around 6 rebounds per game. His scoring will be essential for keeping BYU competitive.
• Robert Wright III - Coming off a 39-point explosion and showing the ability to take over games offensively, Wright’s production will be a key factor in BYU staying within striking distance.
• Kennard Davis Jr. - Secondary scoring option that can provide timely baskets; his three-point shooting and movement without the ball help stretch defenses.

Stat Comparison

Arizona’s offensive efficiency is elite, with scoring in the upper echelons of the Big 12 and the country. The Wildcats also excel at limiting opponents’ scoring, making them a challenging assignment for any team. BYU’s offense is also productive, and that is especially noteworthy given the loss of their star senior. Still, the Cougars may struggle to match Arizona’s pace without a similar depth of scoring options.

Head-to-Head & Betting Trends

The two teams met earlier this season with Arizona winning a tightly contested 86-83 decision, a game where BYU fought back from a large deficit but came up short. Arizona has dropped two straight games coming into this contest and will try to bounce back here. The Wildcats are 14-10-1 against the spread going into this game, while BYU is is 10-15 against the spread entering Wednesday's play.

BYU vs Arizona Model Projection

Score Projection: BYU 85 – Arizona 90 ATS PRO

Win Probability: BYU 18%, Arizona 82% ATS PRO

Final Thoughts

The absence of Peat for the Wildcats should keep them from winning in any sort of blowout fashion in this contest. I do still expect Arizona to get the victory in this matchup, but I'm going to take the points with BYU, who seemed to figure things out against the Wildcats down the stretch in their first meeting of the season.

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