Cincinnati Bearcats vs Arizona Wildcats Prediction, Odds and Picks for Today, 01/21/26

The Cincinnati Bearcats started Big 12 play 0-3 SU, but they have rattled off 2 wins in a row after their 79-70 home victory over the Iowa State Cyclones on Saturday. The Bearcats forced the Cyclones into 12 turnovers, won the rebounding battle, and held the ‘Clones to just 13-of-30 from two-point range. On Wednesday, the Bearcats will hit the road for a cross-country trip to play the #1 team in the country in the Arizona Wildcats, who are a perfect 18-0. Last time out, the ‘Cats struggled from three-point range and the free throw line, yet they were still able to beat UCF 84-77 in Orlando – as 5 players scored at least 10 points. 

Cincinnati’s win over Iowa State was impressive, but I don’t expect the Bearcats to find the same fortunes in Tucson on Wednesday night. This Arizona team is elite no matter the venue, but the Wildcats are especially difficult to beat at home. They average almost 97 points per game with a 61.3% effective field goal percentage in the McKale Center, while holding their opponents to just 68 points on 45% eFG%. Cincinnati’s offense is typically lost on the road, averaging less than 67 points on an ugly 45.3% eFG, which is worrisome considering this will be their longest road trip of the season to this point. Moreover, the Bearcats are 13th out of 16 Big 12 teams in adjusted offensive efficiency, and while their defense grades out as the 2nd-most efficient in the conference per KenPom’s numbers, they have the 13th effective field goal percentage allowed when playing against conference opponents. I don’t see Cincinnati scoring enough to cover on Wednesday.

Cincinnati vs Arizona prediction: Arizona Wildcats -14 (-110) at the time of publishing. Playable to -15. 

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