Quick Picks with Coach Rick Bowe, CBB Picks, CBB Free Picks, CBB Predictions 2/18/26

Quick Picks with Coach Rick Bowe, CBB Picks, CBB Free Picks, CBB Predictions 2/18/26

BYU @ ARIZONA (ARI -11.5, 165.5)

CBB ODDS, CBB PREDICTIONS, CBB PREVIEWS

COACH RICK CBB PREVIEWS

BYU @ WILDCATS 2/18/26

This Big 12 showdown in Tucson features two of the most explosive offenses in the country. Arizona enters as a heavy favorite at the McKale Memorial Center, looking to bounce back from a two-game skid, while BYU is navigating significant roster depletion following season-ending injuries to key rotation players.

Arizona is in a prime "get-right" spot at home. While they have dropped two straight, those losses came against elite competition (Kansas and Texas Tech). At home, the Wildcats have been dominant, boasting a 15-1 record. The statistical mismatch here is in the trenches. 

Arizona ranks 3rd nationally in offensive rebounding percentage (41.1%) and 7th in defensive rebounding percentage (24.4%). BYU is currently missing multiple frontcourt rotation players due to injury, which will make it incredibly difficult to keep the Wildcats off the glass. Furthermore, BYU lost star guard Richie Saunders (18 PPG) to a torn ACL last Saturday. Without Saunders, BYU loses its second-leading scorer and a vital perimeter defender. Arizona's adjusted defensive efficiency ranks 3rd in the nation (KenPom), and they should be able to stifle a shorthanded BYU attack that is projected to score nearly 10 points below its season average tonight.

While both teams are known for high-octane offenses, several factors point toward the Under. First, the loss of Richie Saunders for BYU is massive. He accounted for 18 points per game, and the Cougars have struggled to find consistent scoring depth beyond AJ Dybantsa. Second, Arizona will be without Koa Peat (14 PPG), who is sidelined with a lower-leg injury. The absence of these two high-volume scorers significantly lowers the ceiling for this game. 

Additionally, Arizona’s defense is elite, ranking 3rd in adjusted efficiency and 11th in effective FG% defense (45.1%). While the pace will be fast (both teams rank in the top 50 for tempo), Arizona's ability to force tough shots and BYU's lack of secondary scoring options make this total feel inflated. Recent models project a combined score closer to 161 points.

Arizona has been nearly perfect at home (15-1) and holds a significant advantage in adjusted efficiency on both ends of the floor. BYU is 0-5 in Quadrant 1 games this season, losing those contests by an average of 7.4 points. In the previous matchup on January 26, Arizona led by as many as 19 points before a late BYU surge made the final score respectable. With BYU now missing Saunders and facing a focused Arizona team in their  "Galaxy Slam" uniforms, an upset is highly improbable.

The Cougars are reeling from the loss of Saunders, who was ruled out for the season with a torn ACL. Saunders was the engine of their perimeter offense, averaging 18 points per game. BYU is also reportedly missing three other rotation players in the frontcourt, which severely compromises their depth against an Arizona team that plays a deep rotation.

The Wildcats will be without their freshman standout Peat tonight. Peat, who averages nearly 14 points and was a key factor in the first meeting with 10 points, suffered a lower-leg injury against Texas Tech. Expect Tobe Awaka and Motiejus Krivas to see increased minutes in the frontcourt to compensate for his absence.

BYU's Dybantsa remains the most dangerous player on the floor, averaging 24.4 points per game. In the first meeting, he scored 24 points but struggled from the field, going just 6-of-24. With Saunders out, Arizona's defense, led by Jaden Bradley and Brayden Burries, can focus almost exclusively on neutralizing Dybantsa.

Arizona has won 19 of their 23 games this season by more than six points. At the McKale Center, they have been a juggernaut, and the "Galaxy Slam" night atmosphere is expected to provide a significant emotional boost as they look to end their rare losing streak.

Get free CBB Picks and CBB Predictions for the top games on the weekly 2026 CBB schedule from the YLose.com  crew, one of the industry's largest networks of premier expert CBB handicappers. YLose.com has been bringing the CBB betting community the best CBB free picks and predictions for nearly three decades. Visit daily for the best CBB moneyline and point spread odds and game totals.

FREE PICK: ARIZONA -11.5

This is a prime spot to get right for Arizona. They lost two straight to Kansas and Texas Tech. Now, they’re back home against a BYU team that lost Richie Saunders (18 ppg) for the season. Arizona is 15-1 at home and they are the better rebounding team and the better defense. Arizona ranks 7th in defensive rebounding and they are 3rd in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency. BYU has failed to step up against elite competition. The Cougars lost by 13 to Texas Tech, 8 to Kansas, and 11 to Houston. Arizona has been here before. They are 7-1 ATS as double digit favorites this season. Just last month, Arizona was a 1-point underdog at BYU and won 86-83. Now, they’re laying 11.5? Blowout coming.

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