Arizona vs BYU Picks, Predictions & Betting Lines (Jan 26)

• No. 1 Arizona enters as 2.5-point road favorite at No. 8 BYU
• Public money heavily backs Arizona to cover and the Over
• Our expert analysis reveals the best bets for Arizona at BYU

Consensus No. 1-ranked Arizona travels to No. 13 BYU tonight in one of the biggest home games in Cougars history. Tip-off is set for 9 pm, ET (ESPN).

Arizona’s 20-0 start includes a flawless 7-0 Big 12 mark. BYU is 17-2 overall and 9-0 at home. Both of BYU’s losses were against ranked opponents.

Oddsmakers initially installed the Wildcats as a 1.5-point road favorite, but the line already has moved to a consensus 2.5 points.

Led by Big 12 scoring leader AJ Dybantsa’s 23.6 points per game, BYU possesses the firepower to challenge Arizona’s defensive consistency. The Wildcats counter with balanced scoring from Koa Peat and Brayden Burries, plus dominant interior presence Tobe Awaka controlling the glass. This analysis breaks down the key betting angles, statistical edges, and strategic picks for this compelling conference showdown.

Arizona vs BYU Expert Picks & Betting Predictions

Primary Pick: Arizona -2.5 (-103) via DraftKings

Arizona’s perfect 20-0 campaign isn’t built on smoke and mirrors – it’s constructed on elite fundamentals that travel well. The Wildcats shoot 51.6% from the field. More crucially, Arizona owns a rebounding advantage at 40.8 boards per game vs. BYU’s 36.68, translating to additional possessions that should prove decisive in a tight contest.

Arizona is 2-1 ATS as a road favorite this season. This is BYU’s first game as a home underdog this season.

BYU’s 9-0 home record is impressive, but it has faced weaker competition in Provo, with their home opponents posting a combined winning percentage of just 60.87%. Arizona represents a significant step up in class, and the Wildcats’ superior depth should wear down BYU’s rotation in the game’s final minutes.

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Total Points: Over 165.5 (-109) via FanDuel

Both offenses possess the personnel to push this total over the number. Dybantsa leads the Big 12 in scoring at 23.6 PPG while shooting an efficient 55.4% from the field, supported by Robert Wright III’s 18.0 points and 5.2 assists per contest. Arizona counters with multiple double-digit scorers, led by Koa Peat’s 14.7 PPG on 57.4% shooting.

The pace metrics favor a higher-scoring affair. Arizona averages 89.8 points per game while allowing 67.5, indicating their games typically feature 157.3 combined points. BYU’s home contests, with their offensive efficiency improving significantly at the Marriott Center.

Conference games between top-10 teams have hit the Over this season when totals exceed 160 points. Both teams possess strong offensive efficiency, suggesting consistent scoring throughout.

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Player Prop: Tobe Awaka Over 9.5 Rebounds (+105) via Caesars

Awaka presents outstanding value on the boards against BYU’s smaller frontcourt. The forward averages 9.8 rebounds per game (3rd in Big 12).

Awaka’s aggressive rebounding style should create additional second-chance opportunities. With Arizona’s team rebounding advantage, Awaka figures to see plenty of opportunities on both ends of the court.

BYU’s Keba Keita (7.82 RPG) provides the Cougars’ primary interior presence, but at 6-8, he lacks the bulk to consistently keep Awaka off the glass.

Public Betting Trends

The college basketball betting public has made their preferences very clear, with overwhelming support flowing toward Arizona and the Over. However, the money percentages reveal where the larger, presumably sharper wagers are landing.

Moneyline Action

Arizona commands 72.79% of the moneyline handle while attracting 71.56% of individual tickets. This alignment between bet count and money percentage suggests broad consensus across both recreational and professional bettors. BYU’s 27.21% money share and 28.44% ticket percentage indicate limited contrarian interest in the home underdog, despite their perfect home court record.

The lack of divergence between public sentiment and our Arizona pick reinforces the Wildcats’ legitimacy as favorites. When both casual and sharp money align, it typically signals a correctly-priced line that offers fair value rather than exploitable edges.

Spread Betting Dynamics

The spread market shows even stronger Arizona support, with the Wildcats drawing 82.21% of the money despite capturing only 67.55% of individual bets. This 15-point gap between money and bet percentages suggests larger wagers are backing Arizona to cover, indicating professional confidence in the road favorite.

BYU’s +2.5 receives just 17.79% of the handle and 32.45% of tickets, representing minimal contrarian value. The heavy money flow toward Arizona aligns perfectly with our analytical edge, as sharp bettors appear to recognize the same statistical advantages driving our recommendation.

Total Points Movement

Perhaps most telling is the Over/Under action, where the Over captures a staggering 89.58% of the money and 90.98% of all tickets. This overwhelming consensus reflects recognition of both teams’ offensive capabilities and suggests the 165.5 total may be conservatively set.

The minimal Under support (10.42% money, 9.02% bets) indicates broad market agreement on a high-scoring outcome. This public conviction, combined with our analytical support for the Over, creates high confidence in the total exceeding 165.5 points.

Arizona vs BYU Team Stats

Who has the edge in tonight’s Big 12 battle?

Individual Star Power

Dybantsa’s 23.6 PPG leads the Big 12, providing BYU with elite scoring punch. His 55.4% field goal percentage (6th in Big 12) demonstrates remarkable efficiency for a high-volume scorer. Supporting cast members Wright III (18.0 PPG, 5.2 APG) and Richie Saunders (18.8 PPG) give the Cougars three reliable scorers.

Arizona counters with balanced offensive distribution, led by Peat’s 14.7 PPG on outstanding 57.4% shooting. The lack of a dominant individual scorer might seem disadvantageous, but it creates matchup problems as defenses cannot focus on stopping one primary threat. This depth advantage should prove crucial in the game’s later stages when BYU’s stars may tire from carrying the offensive load.

The statistical evidence strongly supports Arizona’s favoritism despite the challenging road environment. Their advantages in shooting efficiency, rebounding, and defensive consistency create multiple paths to victory, even if BYU’s home court provides early energy.

Arizona vs BYU Betting Odds

Odds as of January 26, 2026, 9:55 AM EST from consensus sportsbooks.

The narrow spread reflects oddsmakers’ respect for BYU’s home-court advantage, despite Arizona’s superior statistical profile. The slight juice favoring BYU on the spread (+2.5 at -118 versus Arizona -2.5 at -103) indicates early betting action on the home underdog.

Removing the sportsbooks’ built-in edge reveals Arizona holding approximately 57.4% implied probability of victory, while BYU sits at 42.6%. This calculation suggests the market views Arizona as a moderate favorite rather than dominant force.

Moneyline Payout Scenarios:

• $10 on Arizona (-135) returns $17.40 total ($7.40 profit)
• $10 on BYU (+114) returns $21.40 total ($11.40 profit)
• $20 on Arizona (-135) returns $34.80 total ($14.80 profit)
• $20 on BYU (+114) returns $42.80 total ($22.80 profit)