Arizona Wins Big 12 Tournament, Secures No. 1 Seed

Wildcats defeat Houston 79-74 to claim conference title and top NCAA Tournament seed

Mar. 15, 2026 at 1:53am

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The Arizona Wildcats secured the Big 12 Tournament championship with a 79-74 victory over the Houston Cougars. The win avenges a loss to Houston in last year's conference tournament final and gives Arizona the No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Brayden Burries and Koa Peat each scored 21 points to lead the Wildcats, who overcame a late Houston rally to claim the title.

Why it matters

Arizona's dominant performance in the Big 12 Tournament, including winning the regular season title and conference tournament, solidifies their status as a top contender for the NCAA championship. The Wildcats have now won nine straight games and are poised to make a deep run in March Madness.

The details

Arizona built an early 15-point lead, but Houston mounted a furious comeback, closing the gap to just one point with a 14-0 run. However, the Wildcats were able to hold on for the victory, limiting the production of Houston's key players like JoJo Tugler, Kingston Flemings, Emanuel Sharp, and Milos Uzan. Brayden Burries and Koa Peat were the offensive stars for Arizona, while Jaden Bradley scored 13 points in the first half.

  • Arizona defeated Houston 79-74 in the Big 12 Tournament championship game on March 14, 2026.

The players

Arizona Wildcats

The Arizona Wildcats are the men's basketball team of the University of Arizona, competing in the Big 12 Conference.

Houston Cougars

The Houston Cougars are the men's basketball team of the University of Houston, also competing in the Big 12 Conference.

Brayden Burries

A key player for the Arizona Wildcats, Brayden Burries led the team in scoring with 21 points in the Big 12 Tournament championship game.

Koa Peat

Koa Peat, another standout for the Arizona Wildcats, also scored 21 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in the Big 12 Tournament final.

Jaden Bradley

Jaden Bradley contributed 13 points for the Arizona Wildcats, with all of his points coming in the first half of the championship game.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

Arizona enters the NCAA Tournament as a projected No. 1 seed, while Houston is expected to be a strong No. 2 seed. Their performances in the upcoming March Madness tournament will shape the national college basketball landscape.

The takeaway

Arizona's dominant run through the Big 12 Tournament, including avenging a loss to Houston in last year's championship game, solidifies their status as a top contender for the NCAA title. The Wildcats' ability to limit the scoring of Houston's key players and control the tempo of the game will be crucial as they navigate the challenges of the NCAA Tournament.