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Cincinnati (10-8) vs Arizona (18-0)
- When: Jan 21 2026, 9:00 PM
- Where: McKale Center, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Where to watch: Fox Sports 1
Cincinnati vs (1) Arizona Preview & Prediction
Spread: Arizona -14.0
Moneyline: Arizona (-1429)
Total: 153.0
Cincinnati Bearcats Betting Breakdown
Cincinnati heads into Tucson feeling far more confident than its recent record might suggest. After stumbling early in conference play, the Bearcats have responded with a gritty stretch that included an outright shocker against Iowa State. That win did more than boost morale. It showed this group can grind with elite competition when the effort level stays high.
Defense and toughness remain Cincinnati’s calling cards. The Bearcats are not built to outscore teams in track meets, but they can slow games down and make opponents uncomfortable. That approach will be tested heavily here against an Arizona team that thrives in space.
The offense still runs through freshman forward Hannes Steinbach, who continues to play well beyond his age. He provides consistent scoring inside and strong rebounding, but Cincinnati will need perimeter help to keep this close. Guards like Jalen Celestine and Sencire Harris must knock down timely shots and avoid long scoring droughts.
Cincinnati has shown improvement, but road games against elite teams have been rough. Defensive lapses have led to big second halves by opponents, which is dangerous against a favorite this large.
Cincinnati Player Prop Pick: Hannes Steinbach over rebounds – Arizona plays fast and misses enough shots to create volume on the glass, giving Steinbach opportunities to clean up.
Arizona Wildcats Betting Breakdown
Arizona returns home undefeated and looking to reassert dominance after a tighter than expected road win. Even with key players struggling offensively and foul trouble disrupting rotations, the Wildcats still found a way to close late. That ability separates good teams from title contenders.
The Wildcats remain explosive across the board. Jaden Bradley has taken on more late game responsibility and looks increasingly comfortable as the primary closer. Arizona’s depth allows it to survive off nights from stars without panicking, which is why they remain such a heavy favorite here.
Arizona’s offense thrives on pace and spacing. When the threes are falling, games get out of hand quickly. Cincinnati’s defense will try to slow the tempo, but Arizona’s transition game and free throw shooting should eventually stretch the margin.
The concern remains defense for stretches, especially against physical teams. Still, at home, Arizona has consistently turned second halves into runaway situations.
Arizona Player Prop Pick: Jaden Bradley over points – His role continues to expand, and Cincinnati’s backcourt can struggle to contain attacking guards.
Expert Final Score Prediction
Arizona’s undefeated run is not ending here. Cincinnati’s effort keeps this competitive early, but depth and shooting create separation after halftime. Arizona covers the spread by pulling away late, but Cincinnati’s slower pace and defense keep the scoring just below the total.
Final Score: Arizona 83, Cincinnati 66
Lean: Arizona -14.0
Total: Under 153.0
- NCAAB Odds source: MyBookie Sportsbook
