March 14, 2026, 10:55 a.m. ET<\/p>\n
The No. 5 Houston Cougars (28-5) battle the No. 2 Arizona Wildcats<\/a> (31-2) Saturday evening for a 6 p.m. ET (ESPN) tip in the Big 12 final from T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s<\/a> NCAA basketball odds around the Houston vs. Arizona odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions<\/a> for the best bets.<\/p>\n Houston has won 5 games in a row after dominating Kansas 69-47 Friday, covering as a 5.5-point favorite with the Under (139.5) hitting. G Kingston Flemings led all scorers with 21 points, while F Chris Cenac Jr. (17, 14 rebounds) added a double-double and was the only other Cougars player to score in double figures in the blowout.<\/p>\n Arizona has won 8 games in a row after taking down Iowa State 82-80 Friday while failing to cover as a 2.5-point favorite with the Over (143.5) hitting. G Anthony Dell’Orso scored a team-high 26 points off the bench, while F Tobe Awaka (10, 10) added a double-double, also off the bench, in the victory.<\/p>\n Arizona handled Houston 73-66, covering as a 5.5-point road underdog with the Under (141.5) hitting in their first meeting this season.<\/p>\n \u2013\u00a0Rankings:\u00a0USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll<\/a><\/p>\n THE BRACKETS ARE BACK!<\/a> $1 MILLION grand prize for a perfect bracket, $20,000 prize for top bracket. Free to enter, 21+. Terms apply, void where prohibited by law. See official rules. Play now!<\/a><\/p>\n Watch NCAA basketball on Fubo!<\/a>Houston vs. Arizona odds<\/p>\n Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook<\/a>; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub<\/a> for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:50 a.m. ET.<\/p>\n Moneyline (ML): Houston +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Arizona -150 (bet $150 to win $100)Against the spread (ATS): Houston +2.5 (-110) | Arizona -2.5 (-110)Over\/Under (O\/U): 137.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)<\/p>\n USA TODAY Sports’ SURVIVOR POOLS<\/a> for the Men’s and Women\u2019s Basketball Tournaments are here with a $5K prize for each contest! Free to enter, 21+. Terms apply, void where prohibited by law. See Official Rules. Play now!<\/a><\/p>\n Houston vs. Arizona picks and predictionsPrediction<\/p>\n Arizona 75, Houston 73<\/p>\n BET ARIZONA (-150).<\/p>\n Even with a short spread, this game could come down to the final seconds. I’m leaning towards taking Arizona outright with slightly less value. Both the Wildcats and Cougars have played well recently, with dominant performances throughout the tournament. The Wildcats are coming off a momentum-building win over Iowa State, finding a way to prevail even in tough circumstances. Losing just 2 games this season, the Wildcats have the advantage in the championship.<\/p>\n PASS.<\/p>\n There is better value on the Wildcats to win outright in what should be a close contest.<\/p>\n BET OVER 137.5 (-110).<\/p>\n The Wildcats have scored at least 81 points in 5 of their last 6 games and at least 75 points in 8 of their last 10. They have allowed 79 or more in 2 of their last 3 and at least 78 in 5 of their last 10.<\/p>\n The Cougars have scored 73 or more in 4 of their last 5, including 82 or more twice in that span. They play well on defense but will have a difficult time stopping a versatile Wildcats offense.<\/p>\n For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com<\/a> and BetFTW<\/a>.<\/p>\n Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter\/X<\/a> and like us on Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:<\/p>\n Alabama<\/a> \/ Auburn<\/a> \/ Clemson<\/a>\u00a0\/ Colorado<\/a> \/ Duke<\/a> \/\u00a0Florida<\/a> \/ Florida State<\/a> \/\u00a0Georgia<\/a> \/ Iowa<\/a> \/ Kentucky<\/a> \/\u00a0LSU<\/a>\u00a0\/ Michigan<\/a>\u00a0\/ Michigan State<\/a> \/ Nebraska<\/a> \/ North Carolina<\/a> \/ Notre Dame<\/a>\u00a0\/ Ohio State<\/a>\u00a0\/ Oklahoma<\/a> \/ Oregon<\/a> \/ Penn State<\/a> \/ Tennessee<\/a>\u00a0\/ Texas<\/a> \/ Texas A&M<\/a> \/ UCLA<\/a> \/ USC<\/a> \/ Washington<\/a> \/\u00a0Wisconsin<\/a> \/ College Sports Wire<\/a> \/ High School<\/a> \/ Recruiting<\/a><\/p>\n Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. 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