Arizona Wildcats Clinch First Big 12 Tournament Title with a 79-74 Win Over Houston
The Arizona Wildcats have etched their name in the Big 12 history books, claiming their first tournament title with a nail-biting 79-74 victory over Houston. Leading the charge were Brayden Burries and Koa Peat, each dropping 21 points, while Jaden Bradley, the Big 12 Player of the Year, added a crucial 13 points.
Arizona's journey to the title was nothing short of spectacular. The Wildcats dominated the regular season and carried that momentum into the tournament, showcasing their versatility and resilience.
In the quarterfinals, they stifled UCF with a defensive masterclass. The semifinals saw them outgun Iowa State in an offensive shootout.
Finally, in the championship clash against Houston, they struck the perfect balance, blending defensive grit with offensive flair to seal the win.
Under the guidance of Tommy Lloyd, Arizona now heads into the NCAA Tournament as a formidable contender, with a winning streak that hints at their potential to go all the way.
Here's a quick look at the 2026 Big 12 Tournament journey:
First Round - March 10
- Arizona State edged out Baylor 83-79.
- Cincinnati overcame Utah 73-66.
- BYU outscored Kansas State 105-91.
- Oklahoma State defeated Colorado 92-83.
Second Round - March 11
- Iowa State crushed Arizona State 91-42.
- UCF narrowly beat Cincinnati 66-65 in overtime.
- BYU triumphed over West Virginia 68-48.
- TCU outlasted Oklahoma State 95-88.
Quarterfinals - March 12
- Iowa State took down Texas Tech 75-53.
- Arizona defeated UCF 81-59.
- Houston bested BYU 73-66.
- Kansas edged out TCU 78-73.
Semifinals - March 13
- Arizona narrowly escaped Iowa State 82-80.
- Houston dominated Kansas 69-47.
Final - March 14
- Arizona clinched the title with a 79-74 victory over Houston.
With their eyes set on the NCAA Tournament, the Wildcats are primed for a deep run, carrying the confidence and momentum of their Big 12 triumph into the national spotlight.