The Arizona Wildcats take on the Houston Cougars in the Big 12 Tournament final. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Houston is favored by 6.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -325. The total is set at 135.5 points.
Here are my Arizona vs. Houston predictions and college basketball picks for March 15, 2025.
Arizona vs Houston Prediction
My Pick: Over 134.5 (Play to 136.5)
My Arizona vs Houston best bet is for both teams to go over the total, with the best odds currently available at ESPN BET. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Arizona vs Houston Odds
| Arizona Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6.5 -105 | 135.5 -105o / -115u | +260 |
| Houston Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6.5 -115 | 135.5 -105o / -115u | -325 |
- Arizona vs Houston spread: Houston -6.5, Arizona +6.5
- Arizona vs Houston over/under: 135.5 points
- Arizona vs Houston moneyline: Houston -325, Arizona +260
- Arizona vs Houston best bet: Over 134.5 (Play to 136.5)
Spread
I'm staying away from the spread in this game.
Moneyline
I'm avoiding the moneyline here.
Over/Under
My best bet for this Big 12 Tournament Championship is for both teams to go over the total.
My Pick: Over 134.5 (Play to 136.5)
Arizona vs Houston College Basketball Betting Preview
This is the matchup we needed to see in the Big 12 Tournament, as it pits the two true top teams in the conference.
The Arizona Wildcats' record may not indicate that, but they've shown they can compete with any team in the country this season, including the Houston Cougars.
It was an interesting clash when these two teams met precisely a month ago. These teams are similar but play at contrasting tempos. Both Arizona and Houston are all about controlling the paint on both ends of the floor.
The Cougars have thrived defensively by locking down the paint and swarming anyone who gets a touch down low. They rank fourth in 2-point percentage allowed and have held their opposition to just 53% on shots from the painted area.
The Wildcats have shown they can battle in the paint offensively and defensively. Aside from Caleb Love, no one on Arizona even attempts shots from beyond the arc, and Arizona has been solid from close range, ranking 40th in 2-point percentage.
We saw Arizona hold its own in this area in the first meeting, shooting 49% from close range. However, it was forced to take more shots from beyond the arc and made just five of its 23 attempts.
I mention perimeter shooting because that will ultimately ramp up the total in this second meeting.
We know the Wildcats struggled from downtown, but Houston was just as bad. The Cougars also made just five 3-pointers on 17 attempts. That's atypical for Houston, which ranks second in 3-point percentage nationally. Meanwhile, the Wildcats are just 160th in 3-point percentage allowed.
Both teams are due for positive regression from beyond the arc, and we should see them each increase their perimeter output, as the paint is essentially a wash on both ends.
Taking longer-range shots would serve both teams well. They're both great at securing offensive rebounds and converting second-chance opportunities.
Overall, it's clear the Wildcats match up well here and should keep this one close again. The only difference is they will need to play faster with the Cougars, as Houston should heat up from deep.
Take the over here.
