Arizona captured the Big 12 Championship after defeating Houston 79–74 in a hard-fought title game at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City.
The Wildcats held off a late surge from the Cougars to secure the program’s first Big 12 Tournament crown and continue their impressive season.
The championship matchup remained competitive throughout the second half. However, Arizona delivered key plays down the stretch and converted crucial free throws in the final moments. As a result, the Wildcats sealed the victory and completed a sweep of both the Big 12 regular season and tournament titles.
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Freshman stars Brayden Burries and Koa Peat led Arizona’s offense. Each player scored 21 points and consistently produced in critical stretches of the game. Meanwhile, Big 12 Player of the Year Jaden Bradley added 13 points and helped guide the Wildcats’ offense during important possessions. You can check the boxscore here.
Houston remained within striking distance for most of the game. At one point in the second half, the Cougars mounted a strong 14–0 run to briefly swing momentum in their favor. Nevertheless, Arizona responded with timely baskets and disciplined defense to regain control. Ultimately, the Wildcats held their composure and closed out the win in the final minute.
Claim Now Arizona and Houston enter March Madness with momentum after Big 12 Championship
Arizona reached the Big 12 Championship Game after a dramatic semifinal victory over Iowa State. The Wildcats defeated the Cyclones 82–80 thanks to a buzzer-beating shot from Jaden Bradley. That thrilling finish secured Arizona’s place in the tournament final and gave the team significant momentum entering the championship matchup.
On the other side of the bracket, Houston advanced to the final with a dominant performance against Kansas. The Cougars controlled that semifinal game and defeated the Jayhawks 69–47. Their elite defense once again proved decisive, limiting Kansas to one of its lowest scoring outputs of the season.
Because of those strong semifinal performances, the Big 12 final featured the tournament’s top two seeds. Arizona entered the game as the No. 1 seed, while Houston held the No. 2 seed. The matchup also served as a rematch of last year’s conference championship game, adding extra intensity to the contest.
In the end, Arizona’s depth and resilience proved decisive. Despite foul trouble and Houston’s comeback attempts, the Wildcats stayed composed and executed better in the closing moments. The victory extended Arizona’s winning streak and strengthened its case for a top seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
With the Big 12 title secured, Arizona now turns its focus to March Madness. Meanwhile, Houston will also enter the NCAA Tournament with strong expectations after another deep conference tournament run.
