There’s a massive Big 12 Conference showdown on Monday night as the Houston Cougars travel to Ames to take on the Iowa State Cyclones.
Houston enters the matchup at 23-2 overall and riding a six-game winning streak. With the Arizona Wildcats dropping back-to-back conference games, the Cougars now sit alone atop the Big 12 standings at 11-1. Iowa State checks in at 22-3 overall and 9-3 in league play, firmly in the hunt near the top of the conference race.
Houston’s most recent win came at home against the Kansas State Wildcats, a 14-point victory that continued their dominant stretch. The Cougars’ last loss came on January 24 against the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Their only other defeat this season was to the Tennessee Volunteers during Thanksgiving week.
The schedule does not get easier. After this road test, Houston returns home to face Arizona before heading to Lawrence for a matchup with the Kansas Jayhawks next Monday. Back-to-back Big Monday appearances will spotlight Kelvin Sampson’s group. The Cougars close the regular season with home games against Colorado and Baylor, plus a road trip to Oklahoma State.
Iowa State is coming off one of the most impressive wins of the weekend, an 18-point victory over Kansas in Ames. The Cyclones controlled the game from the outset, bouncing back after a 62-56 road loss at TCU in their previous outing.
The Cyclones face their own demanding stretch. After hosting Houston, they travel to Provo to face BYU Cougars on Saturday. Iowa State then closes the regular season at Utah, at home against Texas Tech, at Arizona, and finally at home versus Arizona State.
Houston vs. Iowa State: Where and When
Date: Monday, February 16, 2026
Time: 8:00 PM CST
Location: James H. Hilton Coliseum — Ames, Iowa
Houston vs. Iowa State: Where to Watch or Stream
TV: ESPN
Streaming: FuboTV
Houston vs. Iowa State Betting Odds
- Spread: Iowa State -1.5, Houston +1.5
- Moneyline: Iowa State -113, Houston +110
- Total: 133.5
Houston vs. Iowa State Series History
- All-time series: The teams have split four meetings in series history.
- Last meeting: Houston defeated Iowa State 68-59 on February 22, 2025.
Projected Starting Lineups
Houston Cougars
- #21 Emanuel Sharp — 16.6 PPG
- #4 Kingston Flemings — 16.4 PPG
- #7 Milos Uzan — 11.2 PPG
- #5 Chris Cenac Jr. — 9.6 PPG
- #11 Joseph Tugler — 7.8 PPG
Key Note: Houston has used the same starting lineup in all 25 games this season.
Iowa State Cyclones
- #22 Milan Momcilovic — 18.4 PPG
- #5 Joshua Jefferson — 16.7 PPG
- #3 Tamin Lipsey — 13.2 PPG
- #27 Killyan Toure — 9.5 PPG
- #23 Blake Buchanan — 8.3 PPG
Note: #00 Nate Heise is the only other Cyclone to start this season, making three starts.
Elite-Level Showdown
Kelvin Sampson’s Cougars look every bit like a team capable of cutting down the nets when the Final Four arrives. Their defensive discipline, physicality, and experience travel well, especially in hostile environments.
Iowa State, meanwhile, remains one of the toughest defensive teams in the country. The Cyclones answered questions about their shooting with a statement performance against Kansas. To defend their home floor again, they will need similar efficiency and tempo control.
Hilton Coliseum is one of the most difficult venues in the Big 12 for visiting teams. On Big Monday, with conference positioning at stake, expect a physical, defensive battle that feels like March in mid-February.