The Arizona State Sun Devils head to Houston on Sunday to face the Houston Cougars in a Big 12 matchup that closes the weekend slate. Both teams are navigating a demanding conference schedule, with Arizona State searching for traction and Houston continuing to assert itself as one of the league’s top contenders.
Arizona State has had a difficult start to Big 12 play. Bobby Hurley’s group is 10-7 overall and 1-3 in conference action, tied with Oklahoma State, Baylor, TCU, and Cincinnati in the standings. Only Kansas State and Utah sit below that group. The Sun Devils have dropped five of their last six games, with the most recent setback coming against in-state rival Arizona. Despite being tied at halftime, Arizona State fell 89-82. Their lone win in that stretch came at home against Kansas State, while other losses include road trips to UCLA and conference defeats to Colorado and BYU.
Houston, meanwhile, looks every bit like a national contender once again under Kelvin Sampson. The Cougars are ranked No. 7 in the country, sitting at 16-1 overall and a perfect 4-0 in Big 12 play. Their only loss of the season came against Tennessee. Since then, Houston has rattled off 10 straight wins, including a 29-point home blowout of West Virginia. Conference victories over Cincinnati, Texas Tech, and Baylor have further solidified the Cougars’ place near the top of the league. After this game, Houston heads back on the road to face Texas Tech and TCU.
Arizona State vs. Houston: When and Where
- Date: Sunday, January 18, 2026
- Time: 5:30 p.m. CT
- Location: Fertitta Center
Arizona State vs. Houston: Where to Watch or Stream
- TV: ESPN
- Streaming: FuboTV
Arizona State vs. Houston: Betting Odds
- Spread: N/A
- Moneyline: N/A
- Total: N/A
Arizona State vs. Houston: Series History
- All-time series: Houston leads 1-0
- Last meeting: Houston defeated Arizona State 80-65 on February 18, 2025
Projected Starting Lineups
Arizona State Sun Devils
- #5 Maurice Odom – 16.8 PPG
- #35 Massamba Diop – 14.7 PPG
- #23 Allen Mukeba – 6.5 PPG
- #1 Santiago Trouet – 7.6 PPG
- #2 Anthony Johnson – 14.3 PPG
Houston Cougars
- #21 Emanuel Sharp – 15.9 PPG
- #4 Kingston Flemings – 15.4 PPG
- #7 Milos Uzan – 11.3 PPG
- #5 Chris Cenac Jr. – 9.1 PPG
- #11 Joseph Tugler – 8.4 PPG
Game Outlook
This is a challenging spot for Arizona State as it comes off an emotional rivalry game against Arizona and now faces one of the nation’s most physical teams on the road. The Sun Devils have shown flashes, but sustaining that level of play for a full 40 minutes against elite competition has been difficult.
Houston’s formula is well established. Sampson’s teams defend relentlessly, control the glass, and steadily wear opponents down as the game goes on. That approach has fueled their current winning streak and makes the Cougars especially tough at home. While Arizona State has enough talent to keep things competitive early, Houston’s depth and physicality could take control as the game progresses.