The Houston Cougars will visit the Kansas Jayhawks on Monday, February 23, 2026. The game starts at 9:00 PM ET and will be held at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, KS. Both teams belong to the Big 12 Conference, making this a key matchup in the conference standings.
Houston comes into the game as the favorite, with a spread of -2.5 and a MoneyLine of -150. Kansas, as the underdog, has a spread of +2.5 and a MoneyLine of +120. The over/under is set at 137.5. The game will be televised on ESPN, providing a national platform for this top-10 showdown.
Houston Cougars Team Preview
The Houston Cougars have a strong record this season with 23 wins and 4 losses. They hold the #2 spot in the AP rankings, showing their strength in the Big 12 conference. In their most recent three games, they have one win and two losses.
In terms of individual performance, Kingston Flemings stands out. He scored 22 points with a 60% shooting accuracy against Iowa State. Emanuel Sharp also had a good game against Kansas State, contributing 23 points and 6 rebounds.
Houston’s team stats highlight their offensive abilities. They score 77.4 points per game and have a decent field goal percentage of 44.9%. However, their free throw shooting is more impressive, with a rate of 77.1%, ranking them 55th in the nation.
Kansas Jayhawks Team Preview
The Kansas Jayhawks hold a 20-7 record this season. They rank #8 in the AP poll and compete in the Big 12 Conference. In home games, their record is 11-3, showing strong performance at Allen Fieldhouse.
In recent games, the Jayhawks had a mix of results. They defeated the Oklahoma State Cowboys 81-69 but lost to the Cincinnati Bearcats 84-68. Their other recent loss was against the Iowa State Cyclones with a score of 74-56.
The Jayhawks average 76.9 points per game, ranking them 180th in the nation. They shoot 47.0% from the field, placing them 81st in field goal percentage. Flory Bidunga and Darryn Peterson are key players, with Bidunga averaging 14.6 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, while Peterson averages 19.8 points per game.
Betting Prediction
The Kansas Jayhawks have a solid record against the spread this season. They are 17-10 ATS in all games. As underdogs, they have a 5-4 record ATS, showing they can perform well when not favored.
Houston has struggled to cover the spread recently. Their ATS record in the last three games is 0-3. In the last five games, they are 1-4 ATS, indicating a trend of not covering the spread often.
Kansas has a better field goal percentage than Houston, which can make a difference. Kansas shoots 47.0% from the field, while Houston shoots 44.9%. This efficiency might give Kansas an edge in a close game.
- Pick: Kansas +2.5
