The upcoming basketball clash between the No. 23 BYU Cougars and the No. 4 Arizona Wildcats is set to be a pivotal Big 12 contest, with both teams grappling with significant player injuries. BYU will enter the game without their starting senior wing player, Richie Saunders, whose season was abruptly ended by a torn ACL. On the other side, Arizona is dealing with uncertainties surrounding freshman standout Koa Peat and reserve Dwayne Aristode, both of whom are recovering from injuries and illness. This highly anticipated rematch, following Arizona's narrow victory in their previous encounter, highlights the resilience required in collegiate athletics and the impact of key player absences on team dynamics.
BYU Cougars Prepare for Rematch Against Arizona Wildcats Amidst Key Injuries
In a crucial Big 12 basketball showdown scheduled for Wednesday, February 19, 2026, the No. 23 BYU Cougars will journey to Tucson, Arizona, to face the No. 4 Arizona Wildcats. This encounter is heavily overshadowed by recent injury developments impacting both squads. BYU suffered a significant blow during their recent 90-86 victory over Colorado in Provo, Utah, when their integral senior wing player, Richie Saunders, sustained a season-ending torn ACL just 45 seconds into the game. Saunders had been a pivotal force for the Cougars, achieving career-best statistics with an average of 18.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.7 steals per game, alongside an impressive 37.6% shooting accuracy from beyond the arc. BYU coach Kevin Young expressed the profound impact of Saunders' injury, calling him "the heart and soul of our team."
Meanwhile, the Arizona Wildcats are also navigating their own injury concerns. Their recent nine-week reign at the top of the rankings concluded last week after consecutive losses to Kansas and Texas Tech. In the game against Texas Tech, freshman sensation Koa Peat was sidelined in the second half due to a lower-leg injury, and reserve Dwayne Aristode was absent due to an undisclosed illness. Arizona's coach, Tommy Lloyd, acknowledged the growing challenges, stating, "If you think you're going to go through a season unscathed, you've never done this before." He indicated that both Peat and Aristode's availability for the BYU game is uncertain. Should Peat be unable to play, Tobe Awaka is the likely starter at power forward, marking the first alteration to Arizona's starting lineup this season.
The previous thrilling matchup between these two teams on January 26 saw Arizona narrowly defeat BYU 86-83 in Provo. That game marked the beginning of a four-game losing streak for the Cougars, though they have since rebounded with impressive victories against Baylor (99-94) and Colorado. In that earlier contest, Arizona secured their win in the final moments thanks to a crucial weak-side block by freshman Brayden Burries. Despite being down by 19 points with less than 11 minutes remaining, BYU nearly orchestrated a remarkable comeback, showcasing their fierce physicality and aggressive play, which Coach Lloyd highly praised.
With Saunders out, BYU will heavily rely on the scoring prowess of potential No. 1 NBA draft pick AJ Dybantsa and Robert Wright III. Dybantsa is currently averaging an impressive 24.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, while Wright delivered a career-high 39 points against Colorado, following a 30-point performance against his former team, Baylor. This dynamic duo, along with the now-injured Saunders, accounted for a significant portion of BYU's field-goal attempts, indicating their critical roles in the team's offense. Arizona, having recently struggled against Texas Tech's formidable pair of Christian Anderson and J.T. Toppin, will need to devise a robust defensive strategy to contain Dybantsa and Wright.
This upcoming game serves as a true test of depth and strategic adaptation for both BYU and Arizona. The Cougars must find ways to compensate for the significant absence of Saunders, relying on their remaining stars to elevate their game. For Arizona, managing the health of their key players while maintaining their competitive edge will be paramount as they aim to bounce back from recent defeats and solidify their top-tier ranking.