The Arizona Wildcats and the BYU Cougars continue Big 12 Conference men’s basketball action on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Tucson, Ariz.
Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. central. Arizona (18-8, 12-3 in Big 12) is ranked No. 19 in the AP Top 25 while the Cougars (18-8, 9-6) are not ranked.
The Wildcats bounced back from a disappointing non-conference in which they lost to five high-major teams and have proven they belong in the Big 12. The Wildcats are second place by themselves and are closing in on a Big 12 Tournament double bye. But seeding is still on the line, as Arizona is just one game ahead of both Iowa State and Texas Tech.
Related: Making Sense of the Big 12 Basketball Tournament Seedings With Two Weeks Left
BYU is on a heater, having won three straight games. That includes winning in Morgantown against West Virginia and sweeping both Kansas State and Kansas in Provo. With that, the Cougars have played their way off the NCAA Tournament bubble, per Bracketology. A win over Arizona would only further solidify BYU’s credentials.
Here is a preview of Saturday’s game.
How to Watch Arizona vs. BYU
Date: Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025
Time: 9 p.m. CT
TV Channel: ESPN
Site: McKale Memorial Center, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona vs. BYU Betting Odds, Lines
Opening Line: Arizona -7.5
Current Line: Arizona -7.5
Over/Under: 153.5
Arizona vs. BYU Predictions
Can the most improved player in the Big 12 come from a team that wasn’t in the Big 12 last season? That’s the existential question around Arizona forward Henri Veesaar (8.7 points, 4.8 rebounds) as he continues to give the Wildcats terrific play in the paint. His season numbers don’t tell the whole story because he’s really picked up steam the last six weeks as the frontcourt has coalesced around him and Tobe Awaka.
This continues to be guard Caleb Love’s team, as he averages 15.8 points and 3.3 assists per game. But the consistent play of Jaden Bradley and KJ Lewis gives the Wildcat offense great balance. Anthony Dell’Orso is the team’s 3-point shooting specialist at 40%. He’s also the only consistent threat from distance. As a team the Wildcats shoot 31%. It’s their biggest weakness.
Shooting from the 3-point line is not a problem for BYU. In fact, it’s a way of life. The Cougars shoot 37% from there and if Richie Saunders (15.2 ppg, 42.9% from 3) gets on a run, well good luck. He was a dangerous jump shooter last year. But he can do much more than take 3-pointers this season.
Freshman Egor Demin has not been the quality 3-point shooter people expected. But he does everything else, and his ability to facilitate (5.5 assists per game) the offense stretches defenses and opens up chances for Saunders and Trevin Knell on the perimeter.
Centers Fousseyni Traore and Keba Keita do the hard work inside and in combination they average 16 points and 13 rebounds per game.
A loss doesn’t hurt Arizona. A win really helps BYU. Arizona is 11-2 at home and BYU is underwater on the road at 3-5.
Arizona 88, BYU 83
ESPN Matchup Predictor: Arizona (77.0% Chance of Winning)
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
