No. 2 Arizona survives No. 5 Houston 79-74 in Big 12 final rematch

Brayden Burries scores 21 points as Wildcats hold off late Cougars rally

Mar. 15, 2026 at 1:36am

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In a rematch of last year's Big 12 Tournament championship game, the second-ranked Arizona Wildcats held off a late rally by the fifth-ranked Houston Cougars to win 79-74. Brayden Burries led Arizona with 21 points, including a pair of clinching free throws in the final seconds, while Koa Peat and Jaden Bradley also scored in double figures for the Wildcats. Houston made a furious comeback in the final minutes, cutting a 15-point deficit to just three, but couldn't complete the rally against the resilient Arizona squad.

Why it matters

This victory over a top-5 opponent should serve the Wildcats well as they head into the NCAA Tournament, where they are projected to be a No. 1 seed. The win also provides Arizona with a measure of revenge after losing to Houston in last year's Big 12 title game, and demonstrates the Wildcats' ability to withstand challenges and close out tight games against elite competition.

The details

Arizona led by as many as 15 points in the second half, but Houston made a late push, scoring 14 straight points to cut the deficit to just three. However, the Wildcats were able to regain control, with Burries hitting a key three-point play and Ivan Kharchenko scoring on three straight possessions to help Arizona hold on for the victory. The game featured several physical moments, including injuries to Arizona's Jaden Bradley and Koa Peat, as well as a scuffle for a loose ball that left multiple players on the floor.

  • Arizona led 75-66 with just over a minute left in the game.
  • Houston made a late 14-0 run to cut the deficit to 75-72 with under a minute remaining.
  • Burries hit a three-point play to push Arizona's lead back to 78-72 with 22 seconds left.
  • Krivas made two free throws with 13 seconds left to seal the win for Arizona.

The players

Brayden Burries

An All-Big 12 guard for Arizona who scored 21 points, including a pair of clinching free throws in the final seconds.

Koa Peat

An Arizona forward who scored 21 points but was plagued by foul trouble during the game.

Jaden Bradley

An Arizona guard who finished with 13 points but left the game briefly after suffering a wrist injury.

Kelvin Sampson

The head coach of the Houston Cougars, who praised Arizona's resilience and talent after the game.

Tommy Lloyd

The Big 12 Coach of the Year, who led Arizona to the victory and praised his team's unbreakable spirit.

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What they’re saying

“They're just resilient, you know? And they just have this unbreakable spirit. These guys do an amazing job of figuring it out in tough moments.”

— Tommy Lloyd, Head Coach, Arizona Wildcats (cenlanow.com)

“You had the two best teams in the Big 12 fighting down the stretch. Either team could have won the game. Sometimes it comes down to a break. Sometimes it comes down to a whistle. Sometimes it comes down to a bounce. When two teams are evenly matched like they were today, that's what it comes down to.”

— Kelvin Sampson, Head Coach, Houston Cougars (cenlanow.com)

What’s next

Arizona is projected to be a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and will play their first- and second-round games in San Diego. If they advance, the Wildcats would head up the coast to San Jose, California for the second weekend. Houston is likely to be a No. 2 seed and will play their first- and second-round games in Oklahoma City, with the potential to play their regional semifinal in Houston should they advance.

The takeaway

This hard-fought victory over a top-5 opponent demonstrates the Wildcats' resilience and ability to win close games against elite competition. Arizona's depth, talent, and composure under pressure should serve them well as they look to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, where they are expected to be one of the top overall seeds.