Arizona Faces Baylor in Key Big 12 Showdown Tonight

TUCSON, Ariz. — The No. 13 Arizona Wildcats (17-8, 11-4) seek to rebound from a recent loss as they face the Baylor Bears (16-9, 8-6) in a critical Big 12 matchup on Monday, February 17, 2025. The game marks an opportunity for Arizona to regain momentum amid a challenging season.

Arizona enters the game after a tough home loss to the No. 6 Houston Cougars, where the Wildcats fell 62-58 despite strong performances from Caleb Love and KJ Lewis. Love scored 17 points and dished out seven assists, while Lewis added 13 points. Now, the Wildcats will strive to close the gap in the conference standings with a victory against Baylor.

Baylor, looking to capitalize on their recent form, comes into this contest after defeating West Virginia 74-71 in overtime. The Bears are led by Norchad Omier, who averages 15.7 points and has been pivotal in their recent successes. They will aim to extend their four-game home winning streak against Arizona.

This showdown is particularly significant for both teams, as Arizona sits two games behind the Houston Cougars in the Big 12 standings. A victory would crucially impact their chances of vying for a top seed in the NCAA tournament, while a loss could potentially hamper their postseason aspirations.

“It’s a big game for us,” said Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd. “Baylor is a tough opponent, and we need to bring our A-game to compete.” With both teams known for their physical styles, the game promises to be an intense battle on the court.

Tip-off is scheduled for 10:00 PM ET at Foster Pavilion and will be broadcast on ESPN. Fans can stream the game live using the ESPN app or on platforms like Sling and Hulu.

Current betting odds favor Houston at -1.5, with an over/under set at 136.5. As both teams have been closely matched, the outcome of the game is highly anticipated within the college basketball community.

As always, those participating in betting activities are encouraged to wager responsibly. Help is available through the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER.