Arizona Wildcats Win Big 12 Championship, Poised for No. 1 NCAA Tournament Seed

KANSAS CITY, MO – The Arizona Wildcats are heading to the NCAA Tournament as automatic qualifiers after a hard-fought 79-74 victory over Houston in the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship game on March 14, 2026, at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri . The win completes a sweep of the Big 12 championships against Houston, avenging last season’s losses to the Cougars .

Freshman Duo Leads the Wildcats

Arizona’s victory was spearheaded by freshman standouts Koa Peat and Brayden Burries, both of whom delivered impressive 21-point performances . The Wildcats have now secured a nine-game winning streak as they enter the NCAA tournament .

A Close Contest

The game saw Arizona build a 15-point lead in the second half, but Houston mounted a strong comeback with a 14-0 run. Brayden Burries responded with a crucial basket to regain a three-point lead for Arizona. A late 3-pointer by Ivan Kharchenkov, and a rebound secured by Motiejus Krivas, helped seal the victory .

NCAA Tournament Outlook

Analysts predict Arizona will be a No. 1 seed in the West region of the NCAA tournament . As of March 15, 2026, FanDuel Sportsbook lists the Wildcats with +500 odds to win the NCAA tournament and -125 odds to reach the Final Four, ranking them third in the field behind Duke and Michigan.

Selection Show Details

The NCAA Tournament Selection Show will be televised on CBS. The Arizona men’s basketball team and coaching staff will gather at Union Public House (4340 N. Campbell Road) beginning at 2 p.m. To watch the selection show .