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No. 4 Arizona Defeats No. 2 Houston 73-66
Top-ranked matchup sees Arizona pull off upset victory over Houston
Feb. 21, 2026 at 11:08pm
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In a highly anticipated matchup between two of the top teams in college basketball, the No. 4 ranked Arizona Wildcats defeated the No. 2 ranked Houston Cougars by a score of 73-66. The game was closely contested throughout, with Arizona holding a narrow lead for much of the second half before pulling away late.
Why it matters
This result shakes up the national rankings and tournament picture, as Houston was previously undefeated and considered a top contender for the national championship. Arizona's victory demonstrates their ability to compete with the elite teams in the country and boosts their own chances of securing a high seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
The details
Arizona was led by a balanced scoring attack, with four players reaching double figures. Sophomore guard Kerr Kriisa had a team-high 18 points, while junior forward Azuolas Tubelis added 16 points and 9 rebounds. Houston was paced by preseason All-American guard Marcus Sasser, who scored a game-high 22 points in the losing effort.
- The game was played on February 21, 2026.
The players
Kerr Kriisa
Sophomore guard for the Arizona Wildcats.
Azuolas Tubelis
Junior forward for the Arizona Wildcats.
Marcus Sasser
Preseason All-American guard for the Houston Cougars.
What they’re saying
“Our guys really battled tonight against a tremendous Houston team. I'm proud of the way we competed and executed down the stretch to get this big win.”
— Tommy Lloyd, Head Coach, Arizona Wildcats
“We just couldn't get enough stops when we needed them. Credit to Arizona, they made the plays to win the game.”
— Kelvin Sampson, Head Coach, Houston Cougars
What’s next
Both teams will continue their conference schedules as they prepare for the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Arizona will look to build on this signature win, while Houston will aim to bounce back and regain their spot among the nation's elite teams.
The takeaway
This matchup between two top-5 teams lived up to the hype, with Arizona pulling off the upset victory and proving they can compete with the best teams in the country. The loss drops Houston from the ranks of the undefeated, but both squads remain in strong position to earn high seeds in the NCAA Tournament.
