Arizona Wildcats vs BYU Cougars Picks and Predictions for Monday January 26 2026

By: Kim Smith Published 01/26/2026, 12:35 AM ET

The Arizona Wildcats travel to Provo to take on the BYU Cougars on Monday night at the Marriott Center, with tip-off scheduled for 9:00 PM ET. This late-night showdown will be televised nationally on ESPN and features two of the hottest teams in college basketball. At the time of this writing, the moneyline odds were not released. The total for this game is set at 162.5 points, with both the over and under priced at -110, and Arizona enters as a 3.5-point road favorite. Before breaking down the matchup, be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more daily betting insight.

Wildcats Carry Perfection Into a Hostile Environment

Arizona comes into this matchup with a perfect 20-0 record and has looked dominant on both ends of the floor throughout the season. The Wildcats have recently won over West Virginia, Cincinnati, UCF, Arizona State, and TCU, consistently controlling games against conference competition and showing little sign of slowing down.

From a statistical standpoint, Arizona has been elite offensively, averaging 89.8 points per game while allowing just 67.6. They shoot an outstanding 52 percent from the field and dominate the glass with 43.4 rebounds per game, giving them a consistent edge in second-chance opportunities. Ball movement is another strength, as the Wildcats average 18.6 assists per contest.

What truly separates Arizona is their ability to overwhelm opponents with depth and pace. They average 8.6 steals and 4.4 blocks per game, allowing them to create turnovers and convert defense into offense. Even in road environments, Arizona has shown poise and discipline, making them difficult to disrupt for a full 40 minutes.

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Cougars Ready to Defend Home Court

BYU enters Monday night with a strong 17-2 overall record and has been particularly tough at home this season. The Cougars have recently won over Utah, TCU, Utah again on the road, and Arizona State, with their lone loss in the last five coming at Texas Tech.

Statistically, BYU averages 86.8 points per game while allowing 70.1, giving them one of the better scoring margins in the conference. They shoot 49 percent from the field and average 40.3 rebounds per game, showing balance between perimeter efficiency and interior presence. The Cougars also contribute 15.2 assists per game, indicating solid ball movement.

One area where BYU stands out is defensive activity. They average 4.9 blocks and 8.6 steals per game, matching Arizona’s intensity in forcing turnovers. Playing at the Marriott Center gives BYU a significant boost, as their energy and crowd support often translate into scoring runs that can swing momentum quickly.

Arizona Wildcats vs BYU Cougars Pick

Pick: Arizona -3.5

I am backing Arizona to cover the spread in this matchup. The Wildcats’ overall efficiency, rebounding advantage, and ability to score in transition give them the edge, even in a difficult road environment. Arizona’s composure in big games makes them well-equipped to handle BYU’s home-court energy.

Arizona Wildcats vs BYU Cougars Total Pick

Pick: Over 162.5

I’m taking the over in this game. Both teams play at a fast pace, shoot efficiently, and are comfortable scoring in bunches. With two elite offenses and plenty of possessions expected, this matchup sets up well to exceed the posted total.

Final Score Prediction: Arizona Wildcats 86, BYU Cougars 81

How To Bet This Matchup

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