After 15 games over five days at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Arizona outlasted Houston 79-74 in a high-energy final between the top-two seeds.
See photos of the game — and Arizona’s celebrations — captured courtside by The Star’s Emily Curiel.
Photos of Big 12 Tournament Championship
Arizona Wildcats mascot Wilbur waves an Arizona flag during player introductions before the start of the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game between Arizona and the Houston Cougars at T-Mobile Center on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) shoots a basket over Arizona Wildcats guard Jaden Bradley (0) during the second half of the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game at T-Mobile Center on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
DJ Khaled attends the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game between the Houston Cougars and Arizona Wildcats at T-Mobile Center on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) makes a layup over Arizona Wildcats forward Tobe Awaka (30) during the first half of the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game at T-Mobile Center on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Arizona Wildcats forward Koa Peat (10) shields the ball from Houston Cougars forward Joseph Tugler (11) during the first half of the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game at T-Mobile Center on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Arizona forward Tobe Awaka (30), Houston guard Kingston Flemings (4) and Arizona guard Anthony Dell'Orso (3) attempt to grab a rebound during the first half of the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game at T-Mobile Center on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Houston Cougars guard Mercy Miller (25) shields the ball from Arizona Wildcats guard Anthony Dell'orso (3) during the first half of the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game at T-Mobile Center on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Arizona Wildcats fans celebrate during the second half of the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game against the Houston Cougars at T-Mobile Center on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Houston Cougars forward Joseph Tugler (11) makes a layup over Houston Cougars center Jacob McFarland (13) during the second half of the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game at T-Mobile Center on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Arizona Wildcats forward Ivan Kharchenkov (8) makes a layup over Houston Cougars center Chris Cenac Jr. (5) during the second half of the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game at T-Mobile Center on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Arizona Wildcats guard Brayden Burries (5) shoots a basket over Houston Cougars center Chris Cenac Jr. (5) during the second half of the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game at T-Mobile Center on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Houston Cougars head coach Kelvin Sampson speaks with the referee during the second half of the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game against the Arizona Wildcats at T-Mobile Center on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Arizona Wildcats forward Tobe Awaka (30) makes a layup over Houston Cougars forward Joseph Tugler (11) during the second half of the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game at T-Mobile Center on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Houston Cougars guard Kordel Jefferson (0) shields the ball from Houston Cougars center Chris Cenac Jr. (5) during the second half of the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game at T-Mobile Center on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Arizona Wildcats forward Koa Peat (10) shoots a basket over Houston Cougars forward Joseph Tugler (11) during the second half of the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game at T-Mobile Center on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Arizona Wildcats forward Koa Peat (10) is fouled by Houston Cougars forward Joseph Tugler (11) during the second half of the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game at T-Mobile Center on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Arizona Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd is seen yelling during the second half of the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game against the Houston Cougars at T-Mobile Center on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Arizona Wildcats forward Ivan Kharchenkov (8) makes a layup over Houston Cougars guard Emanuel Sharp (21) during the second half of the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game at T-Mobile Center on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Houston Cougars forward Joseph Tugler (11) attempts to save the ball from going out of play during the second half of the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game against the Arizona Wildcats at T-Mobile Center on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Arizona guard Jaden Bradley (0) celebrates after winning the Most Outstanding Player award following Arizona's 79-74 victory over Houston in the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game at T-Mobile Center on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Arizona players celebrate after defeating the Houston 79-74 in the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game at T-Mobile Center on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Arizona players dump confetti on head coach Tommy Lloyd after defeating the Houston Cougars 79-74 in the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game at T-Mobile Center on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Confetti falls as the Arizona Wildcats players celebrate after defeating the Houston Cougars 79-74 in the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game at T-Mobile Center on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Confetti falls as the Arizona players celebrate after defeating the Houston 79-74 in the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game at T-Mobile Center on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Emily Curiel, is a visual journalist at The Star. With a broad scope of coverage, Curiel navigates subjects including breaking news, sports, features and long-form narratives. She is a first-generation graduate from San Francisco State University and a native of Los Angeles.
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