After falling just two points short of claiming the national championship in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, the Houston Cougars are on a mission to finish the job in 2026.
The No. 8 Cougars opened the season with a 12-1 record in nonconference play, highlighted by multiple wins over ranked opponents, including a 73-72 victory over No. 22 Auburn and a 94-85 win against No. 14 Arkansas.
Houston’s lone loss came in a 76-73 nail-biter against No. 17 Tennessee.
Guard Emanuel Sharp, a standout on both ends of the floor last season, has picked up right where he left off in 2026. The senior is averaging a team-leading 17 points per game. Freshman Kingston Flemings has also made an immediate impact, averaging 15.3 points per contest.
The Cougars now face a loaded slate in Big 12 play, featuring five other teams ranked in the latest coaches poll: No. 2 Arizona, No. 3 Iowa State, No. 10 BYU, No. 16 Texas Tech and No. 17 Kansas.
Houston opens conference play on Jan. 3, when it travels to Cincinnati to take on the Bearcats. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. on Fox.
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