Photos: Arizona muscles its way to 75-68 win over BYU in rematch, Big 12 basketball
The Wildcats get a test from the Cougars in a 75-68 win in their second match-up of their Big 12 schedule, February 18, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona forward Ivan Kharchenkov (8) gestures to the crowd as heads back on defense after nailing a three on BYU in the second half of their Big 12 game, February 18, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
BYU forward Brody Kozlowski (4) knocks heads with Arizona guard Evan Nelson (21), who strips him of possession in the first half of their Big 12 game, Feb. 18, 2026, at McKale Center.
Arizona guard Brayden Burries (5) tries to get enough air to finish off a fast break against BYU in the first half of their Big 12 game, February 18, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona forward Ivan Kharchenkov (8) gets the crowd into it after a Wildcat run in the first half of their Big 12 game against BYU, Feb. 18, 2026, in Tucson.
Arizona center Motiejus Krivas (13) attempts works his way through BYU forward Mihailo Boskovic (5) in pursuit of an offensive rebound in the first half of their Big 12 game, February 18, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona guard Anthony Dell'Orso (3) tries to force a shot as the Wildcats get a fast break opportunity against BYU in the first half of their Big 12 game, February 18, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona forward Koa Peat (10) celebrates from the bench after a Wildcat dunk against BYU in the second half of their Big 12 game, February 18, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona forward Tobe Awaka (30) drags down a defensive rebound between BYU center Keba Keita (13), left, and guard Kennard Davis Jr. (30) in the first half, February 18, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona forward Tobe Awaka (30) muscles his way to a short range shot through BYU guard Richie Saunders (15) in the second half of their Big 12 game, February 18, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd organizes the Wildcats during a time out in the second half against BYU, Feb. 18, 2026, in Tucson.
Arizona forward Ivan Kharchenkov (8) swings from the rim after slamming down a dunk during a big run against BYU in the second half of their Big 12 game, Feb. 18, 2026, in Tucson.
Arizona guard Anthony Dell'Orso (3) finishes off a fast break with a dunk on BYU in the second half of their Big 12 game, Feb. 18, 2026, in Tucson.
Arizona center Motiejus Krivas goes up to swat away a shot from BYU forward AJ Dybantsa in the second half of their Big 12 game, Feb. 18, 2026, Tucson.
Arizona center Motiejus Krivas (13) and forward Tobe Awaka (30) get a bit tangled trying to control a rebound against BYU, February 18, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona center Motiejus Krivas (13) gets a rebound despite a hand in the face from BYU center Keba Keita (13) during their Big 12 game, February 18, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
BYU forward AJ Dybantsa (3) can’t hold back Arizona guard Brayden Burries (5) from scooping up the turnover after he left the ball on the court on a drive in the second half of their Big 12 game, Feb. 18, 2026, Tucson.
Arizona forward Sidi Gueye (15) tears down a rebound from BYU center Keba Keita (13) in the first half of their Big 12 game, Feb. 18, 2026, in Tucson.
Arizona center Motiejus Krivas (13) draws the double team from BYU center Keba Keita (13), left, and guard Robert Wright III (1) in the first half of their Big 12 game, Feb. 18, 2026, in Tucson.
BYU guard Aleksej Kostić (6) momentarily jostles the ball out of the grip of Arizona guard Jaden Bradley (0) defending the perimeter in the first half of their Big 12 game, February 18, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona forward Ivan Kharchenkov (8) drives into BYU guard Aleksej Kostić (6) and earns a blocking foul from the Cougar in the first half of their Big 12 game, February 18, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona forward Ivan Kharchenkov (8) looks for help as the BYU defense comes down on him in the first half of their Big 12 game, February 18, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
One of the twirlers performs under the pyro and the lighted towels handed out to the crowd waiting for the tip-off of Arizona’s Big 12 game against BYU, February 18, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona forward Koa Peat (10), nursing a leg injury, watches from the bench as his teammates get ready to take on BYU for a Big 12 game, February 18, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Former NBA player Boban Marjanović takes a turn on the triangle with the Pride of Arizona Pep Band just before the Wildcats tip off against BYU in a Big 12 game, February 18, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona forward Tobe Awaka (30) out on the floor getting his shot dialed in for the Wildcats’ game with BYU, February 18, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
Arizona men’s basketball shows championship traits without pair of ‘starters’ | Michael LevMichael Lev column: Championship runs require role players and good fortune. Arizona showed it has the former during a win over BYU, and it continues to benefit from the latter.