Big Monday brings a heavyweight clash to Lawrence as Houston invades Phog Allen Fieldhouse to face Kansas in a game that could reshape the top of the Big 12 standings.
Houston enters 23-4 overall after dropping back-to-back games for the first time in weeks — a road loss at Iowa State followed by a 73-66 home defeat to Arizona. Kansas is also coming off a loss, having been stunned at home by Cincinnati. Two contenders. Two frustrated locker rooms. One massive opportunity.
Houston trying to halt rare skid
The Cougars have lost three of their last 10 games, including setbacks at Texas Tech and Iowa State. The loss in Ames stung, as Houston held a late lead before letting it slip away. The home defeat to Arizona was even more unusual, given how dominant the Cougars have been on their own floor.
Despite the recent dip, Houston remains one of the most disciplined and defensive-minded teams in the country. Kelvin Sampson’s group has rolled out the same starting lineup in every game this season, a testament to continuity and trust.
Following Monday’s matchup, Houston returns home to host Colorado on Saturday and Baylor on March 4 before closing the regular season March 7 at Oklahoma State.
Kansas defending home court pride
It is rare to see Kansas lose at Phog Allen Fieldhouse, and the Jayhawks are determined to avoid consecutive home defeats, especially on Big Monday.
Before falling at Iowa State and then getting clipped by Cincinnati, Kansas had won eight straight. Bill Self’s team bounced back in between with a road win at Oklahoma State, but the recent inconsistency has tightened the margin for error in the Big 12 race.
The road does not get easier. After Houston, Kansas travels to Arizona, then Arizona State, before finishing the regular season at home against rival Kansas State.
Houston vs. Kansas: When and where
- Date: Monday, February 23, 2026
- Time: 8:00 p.m. CT
- Location: Phog Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence, KS
Houston vs. Kansas: Where to watch or stream
- TV: ESPN
- Streaming: FuboTV
Houston vs. Kansas: Betting odds
- Spread: Houston -1.5
- Moneyline: Houston -125, Kansas +113
- Total: 136.5
(Odds subject to change.)
Houston vs. Kansas: Series history
- All-time series: Houston leads 3-1
- Last meeting: Houston defeated Kansas 65-59 on March 3, 2025
Projected starting lineups
Houston Cougars
- #4 Kingston Flemings – 16.6 PPG
- #1 Emanuel Sharp – 16.4 PPG
- #7 Milos Uzan – 11.1 PPG
- #5 Chris Cenac Jr. – 9.6 PPG
- #11 Joseph Tugler – 7.6 PPG
Key note: Houston has used the same starting five in every game this season.
Kansas Jayhawks
- #22 Darryn Peterson – 19.8 PPG
- #40 Flory Bidunga – 14.6 PPG
- #3 Tre White – 13.7 PPG
- #14 Melvin Councill Jr. – 13.6 PPG
- #15 Bryson Tiller – 8.9 PPG
High-level Big 12 tilt
Something has to give. Either Houston steadies itself and snaps a two-game skid, or Kansas drops another home game under the Big Monday spotlight.
Both teams enter hungry, with conference positioning and national perception on the line. In a league as unforgiving as the Big 12, this feels less like a late-February game and more like a postseason preview.