2025–26 Houston Cougars men's basketball team

2025–26 Houston Cougars men's basketball
2025–26 Houston Cougars men's basketball
Conference	Big 12 Conference
Ranking
Coaches	No. 8
AP	No. 8
Record	11–1 (0–0 Big 12)
Head coach	Kelvin Sampson (12th season);
Assistant coaches	K.C. Beard; Mike Ekanem; Hollis Price; Kellen Sampson;
Home arena	Fertitta Center

2025–26 Big 12 men's basketball standings
	Conf.				Overall
Team	W		L	PCT	W		L	PCT
No. 1 Arizona	0	–	0	–	12	–	0	1.000
No. 3 Iowa State	0	–	0	–	12	–	0	1.000
No. 10 BYU	0	–	0	–	12	–	1	.923
No. 8 Houston	0	–	0	–	11	–	1	.917
Oklahoma State	0	–	0	–	11	–	1	.917
UCF	0	–	0	–	11	–	1	.917
Colorado	0	–	0	–	10	–	2	.833
Baylor	0	–	0	–	9	–	2	.818
No. 17 Kansas	0	–	0	–	10	–	3	.769
TCU	0	–	0	–	9	–	3	.750
No. 15 Texas Tech	0	–	0	–	9	–	3	.750
Arizona State	0	–	0	–	9	–	4	.692
West Virginia	0	–	0	–	9	–	4	.692
Kansas State	0	–	0	–	8	–	4	.667
Utah	0	–	0	–	8	–	4	.667
Cincinnati	0	–	0	–	7	–	5	.583

† 2026 Big 12 tournament winner As of December 23, 2025 Rankings from AP poll

The 2025–26 Houston Cougars men's basketball team represents the University of Houston in the 2025–26 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Cougars, led by 12th-year head coach Kelvin Sampson, play their home games at the Fertitta Center as third-year members of the Big 12 Conference.

Previous season

As the No. 1 seed in the 2025 Big 12 men's basketball tournament, held at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, Houston received a bye to the quarterfinals. There, they defeated Colorado, 77–68, to advance to the semifinals, where they would defeat BYU, 74–54, to advance to the championship game, where they would secure a 72–64 victory over Arizona to claim their first tournament title.

As the tournament champion, Houston received an automatic bid to the 2025 NCAA tournament, also as the No. 1 seed. They were seeded in the Midwest region. There, they defeated SIU Edwardsville, 78–40, in the First round, Gonzaga, 81–76, in the Second round, Purdue, 62–60, in the Sweet Sixteen, and Tennessee, 69–50, in the Elite Eight to advance to their first Final Four since 2021. In the Final Four, they overcame a 14-point deficit to defeat Duke, 70–67, to advance to their first national championship since 1984. In the championship game, despite leading for nearly the entire game – the same thing Duke did to them in the Final Four – Houston ultimately lost to Florida, 65–63, denying them their first national title.^[1]^[2]

Offseason

Departing players

Houston Departing Players
Name	Number	Pos.	Height	Weight	Year	Hometown	Reason for departure
LJ Cryer	4	G	6'1"	200	Graduate Student	Katy, TX	Exhausted eligibility
Ja'Vier Francis	5	F	6'8"	235	Senior	New Orleans, LA	Graduated
Mylik Wilson	8	G	6'3"	175	Graduate Student	Rayville, LA	Exhausted eligibility
J'Wan Roberts	13	F	6'8"	235	Graduate Student	Saint Thomas, USVI	Exhausted eligibility
Terrance Arceneaux	23	G	6'6"	205	Sophomore	Beaumont, TX	Transferred to NC State

Incoming transfers

Houston Incoming Transfers
Name	Number	Pos.	Height	Weight	Year	Hometown	Previous school
Kalifa Sakho	34	F	6'11"	230	Senior	Rouen, France	Sam Houston

2025 recruiting class

College recruiting information
Name	Hometown	School	Height	Weight	Commit date
Chris Cenac Jr. C	New Orleans, LA	Link Academy	6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)	230 lb (100 kg)	Nov 26, 2024
Chris Cenac Jr. C	Recruit ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: (96)
Isiah Harwell SG	Pocatello, ID	Wasatch Academy	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	210 lb (95 kg)	Sep 12, 2024
Isiah Harwell SG	Recruit ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: (92)
Kingston Flemings PG	San Antonio, TX	William J. Brennan High School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	170 lb (77 kg)	Nov 14, 2024
Kingston Flemings PG	Recruit ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: (89)
Bryce Jackson SG	Pearland, TX	Shadow Creek High School	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	Nov 14, 2024
Bryce Jackson SG	Recruit ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: (81)
Overall recruit ranking: 247Sports: 3 On3: 3 ESPN: 2
Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "2025 Houston Cougars Basketball Commits". ESPN. Retrieved June 2, 2025. "2025 Team Ranking". Rivals. Retrieved June 2, 2025. "Houston 2025 Basketball Commits". 247Sports. Retrieved June 2, 2025. "2025 Houston Cougars Basketball Commits". On3. Retrieved June 2, 2025.

Preseason

The Big 12 preseason coaches poll was released on October 16, 2025. All awards were voted on by the league's 16 head coaches, who could not vote for their own team or players. The Big 12 preseason media poll was released on October 30, 2025.

Big 12 Preseason Coaches Poll

	Big 12 Coaches	Points
1.	Houston	224 (12)
2.	BYU	204 (1)
3.	Texas Tech	200
4.	Arizona	179 (1)
5.	Iowa State	170
6.	Kansas	163
7.	Baylor	137
8.	Cincinnati	120
9.	Kansas State	117
10.	TCU	90
11.	West Virginia	79
12.	Oklahoma State	77
13.	Utah	50
14.	UCF	39
15.	Colorado	37
16.	Arizona State	34
Reference:^[3] (#) first-place votes

Big 12 Preseason Media Poll

	Big 12 Media
1.	Houston
2.	Texas Tech
3.	BYU
4.	Arizona
5.	Iowa State
6.	Kansas
7.	Baylor
8.	Kansas State
9.	Cincinnati
10.	TCU
11.	West Virginia
12.	Oklahoma State
13.	Utah
14.	UCF
15.	Colorado
16.	Arizona State
Reference:^[4]

All-Big 12 Preseason First team

Player	School	Pos.	Yr.	Ht., Wt.	Hometown (Last School)
AJ Dybantsa†	BYU	F	Fr.	6'9", 195	Brockton, MA (Utah Prep)
Richie Saunders	BYU	G	Sr.	6'5", 200	Riverton, UT (Wasatch Academy)
Emanuel Sharp	Houston	G	R-Sr.	6'3", 205	Tampa, FL (Bishop McLaughlin School)
Joseph Tugler		F	Jr.	6'8", 230	Monroe, LA (Cypress Falls)
Milos Uzan†		G	Sr.	6'4", 195	Las Vegas, NV (Desert Pines)
Tamin Lipsey	Iowa State	G	Sr.	6'1", 200	Ames, IA (Ames)
Darryn Peterson†	Kansas	G	Fr.	6'5", 205	Canton, OH (Napa Christian)
P.J. Haggerty	Kansas State	G	Jr.	6'4", 195	Crosby, TX (Memphis)
Christian Anderson	Texas Tech	G	So.	6'9", 195	Atlanta, GA (Oak Hill Academy)
JT Toppin†	Texas Tech	F	Jr.	6'9", 230	Dallas, TX (New Mexico)
† denotes unanimous selection Reference:^[3]

Player of the Year: JT Toppin, Texas Tech
Co-Newcomer of the Year: LeJuan Watts, Texas Tech
Freshman of the Year: Darryn Peterson, Kansas

Award watch lists

Listed in the order that they were released

Award	Player	Position	Year	Source

Roster

2025–26 Houston Cougars men's basketball team

Players

Coaches

Pos.	#	Name	Height	Weight	Year	Previous school	Hometown
G	0	Kordelius Jefferson	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	195 lb (88 kg)	RS So	Martin HS	Arlington, TX
G	1	Isiah Harwell	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	220 lb (100 kg)	Fr	Wasatch Academy	Pocatello, ID
G	3	Ramon Walker Jr.	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	215 lb (98 kg)	RS Sr	Shadow Creek HS	Pearland, TX
G	4	Kingston Flemings	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	Fr	Brennan HS	San Antonio, TX
F/C	5	Chris Cenac Jr.	6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)	240 lb (109 kg)	Fr	Link Academy	New Orleans, LA
G	6	Bryce Jackson	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	210 lb (95 kg)	Fr	Shadow Creek HS	Pearland, TX
G	7	Milos Uzan	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	195 lb (88 kg)	Sr	Oklahoma	Las Vegas, NV
C	8	Cedric Lath	6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)	265 lb (120 kg)	RS Jr	Balboa School	Abidjan, Ivory Coast
F	11	Joseph Tugler	6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)	230 lb (104 kg)	Jr	Cypress Falls HS	Houston, TX
C	13	Jacob McFarland	6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)	225 lb (102 kg)	RS So	Rancho Verde HS	Moreno Valley, CA
F	14	Kalifa Sakho	6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)	230 lb (104 kg)	GS	Sam Houston	Rouen, France
G	21	Emanuel Sharp	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	210 lb (95 kg)	RS Sr	Bishop McLaughlin CHS	Tampa, FL
F	24	Chase McCarty	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	220 lb (100 kg)	RS Fr	IMG Academy	Huntsville, AL
G	25	Mercy Miller	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	200 lb (91 kg)	So	Notre Dame HS	Sherman Oaks, CA

Head coach

Kelvin Sampson (UNC Pembroke)

Assistant coach(es)

Legend

(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible
(W) Walk-on

Injured
Current redshirt

Roster
Last update: October 3, 2025

Schedule and results

Date time, TV	Rank^#	Opponent^#	Result	Record	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Site (attendance) city, state
Exhibition
October 26, 2025* 6:30 p.m., ESPN+	No. 2	vs. Mississippi State The Preview CBB Exhibition	W 61–52	−	17 – Tugler	9 – Cenac Jr.	4 – Tied	Fort Bend Epicenter Rosenberg, TX
Non-conference regular season
November 3, 2025* 7:00 p.m., CBSSN	No. 2	Lehigh	W 75–57	1–0	24 – Sharp	10 – Cenac Jr.	5 – Uzan	Fertitta Center (7,035) Houston, TX
November 8, 2025* 2:00 p.m., ESPN+	No. 2	Towson	W 65–48	2−0	20 – Flemings	13 – Cenac Jr.	6 – Uzan	Fertitta Center (7,035) Houston, TX
November 12, 2025* 7:00 p.m., ESPN+	No. 1	Oakland	W 78–45	3–0	19 – Tied	6 – Walker Jr.	9 – Flemings	Fertitta Center (7,035) Houston, TX
November 16, 2025* 2:00 p.m., ESPN	No. 1	vs. No. 22 Auburn The Battleground 2k25	W 73–72	4−0	22 – Flemings	9 – Cenac Jr.	7 – Flemings	Legacy Arena (15,623) Birmingham, AL
November 20, 2025* 8:00 p.m., TNT/TruTV	No. 2	Rider	W 91–45	5−0	18 – Flemings	9 – Tugler	6 – Uzan	Fertitta Center (7,035) Houston, TX
November 24, 2025* 5:00 p.m., TNT	No. 3	vs. Syracuse Players Era Festival Game 1	W 78–74 ^OT	6−0	26 – Tied	12 – Cenac Jr.	6 – Flemings	MGM Grand Garden Arena (4,628) Paradise, NV
November 25, 2025* 5:00 p.m., TNT	No. 3	vs. No. 17 Tennessee Players Era Festival Game 2	L 73–76	6–1	25 – Flemings	11 – Cenac Jr.	5 – Tugler	MGM Grand Garden Arena (5,110) Paradise, NV
November 26, 2025* 2:30 p.m., TNT	No. 3	vs. Notre Dame Players Era Festival Consolation Game	W 66–56	7–1	17 – Sharp	8 – Tugler	5 – Flemings	MGM Grand Garden Arena (1,629) Paradise, NV
December 6, 2025* 7:00 p.m., Peacock	No. 8	vs. Florida State Houston Hoops Showdown	W 82–67	8–1	27 – Sharp	10 – Cenac Jr.	8 – Uzan	Toyota Center (7,121) Houston, TX
December 10, 2025* 7:00 p.m., ESPN+	No. 7	Jackson State	W 80–38	9–1	23 – Sharp	7 – McCarty	6 – Flemings	Fertitta Center (7,035) Houston, TX
December 13, 2025* 2:00 p.m., ESPN+	No. 7	New Orleans	W 99–57	10–1	15 – Tied	6 – Tied	10 – Uzan	Fertitta Center (7,035) Houston, TX
December 20, 2025* 4:30 p.m., CBS	No. 8	vs. No. 14 Arkansas Never Forget Tribute Classic	W 94–85	11–1	22 – Sharp	7 – Cenac Jr.	5 – Flemings	Prudential Center (6,246) Newark, NJ
December 29, 2025* 7:00 p.m., ESPN+		Middle Tennessee						Fertitta Center Houston, TX
Big 12 regular season
January 3, 2026 1:00 p.m., FOX		at Cincinnati						Fifth Third Arena Cincinnati, OH
January 6, 2026 8:00 p.m., FS1		Texas Tech						Fertitta Center Houston, TX
January 10, 2026 12:00 p.m., Peacock		at Baylor						Foster Pavilion Waco, TX
January 13, 2026 7:30 p.m., FS1		West Virginia						Fertitta Center Houston, TX
January 18, 2026 4:00 p.m., ESPN/ESPN2		Arizona State						Fertitta Center Houston, TX
January 24, 2026 5:30 p.m., ESPN		at Texas Tech						United Supermarkets Arena Lubbock, TX
January 28, 2026 8:00 p.m., ESPN2		at TCU						Schollmaier Arena Fort Worth, TX
January 31, 2026 11:00 a.m., FOX		Cincinnati						Fertitta Center Houston, TX
February 4, 2026 6:00 p.m., FS1		UCF						Fertitta Center Houston, TX
February 7, 2026 9:30 p.m., ESPN		at BYU						Marriott Center Provo, UT
February 10, 2026 8:00 p.m., ESPN/ESPN2		at Utah						Jon M. Huntsman Center Salt Lake City, UT
February 14, 2026 8:00 p.m., Peacock		Kansas State						Fertitta Center Houston, TX
February 16, 2026 8:00 p.m., ESPN		at Iowa State						Hilton Coliseum Ames, IA
February 21, 2026 2:00 p.m., ABC		Arizona						Fertitta Center Houston, TX
February 23, 2026 8:00 p.m., ESPN		at Kansas						Allen Fieldhouse Lawrence, KS
February 28, 2026 11:00 a.m., ESPN/ESPN2		Colorado						Fertitta Center Houston, TX
March 4, 2026 8:00 p.m., ESPN2		Baylor						Fertitta Center Houston, TX
March 7, 2026 11:00 a.m., CBS		at Oklahoma State						Gallagher-Iba Arena Stillwater, OK
Big 12 tournament
March 10−14, 2026 TBD, TBD		vs. TBD						T-Mobile Center Kansas City, MO
*Non-conference game. ^#Rankings from AP poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses. All times are in Central Time.

Source:^[5]

Rankings

Ranking movements
**Legend:** ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
( ) = First-place votes
	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	Final
AP	2 (16)	1 (18)	2 (12)	3 (4)	8	7	8	8
Coaches	2 (12)	2 (7)	2 (9)	2 (2)	7	8	8	8

References

^ FOX 26 Digital (April 7, 2025). "Houston Cougars lose national title, fall to Florida". FOX 26 Houston. Retrieved July 22, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^ "Men's NCAA Tournament Bracket 2024-25".
^ ^a ^b "Houston Tabbed As Big 12 Men's Basketball Favorite, TTU's Toppin Named Preseason Player of the Year".
^ "Big 12 Media Votes Houston As Preseason MBB Conference Favorite".
^ "2025–26 Men's Basketball Schedule".

[1] FOX 26 Digital (April 7, 2025). "Houston Cougars lose national title, fall to Florida". FOX 26 Houston. Retrieved July 22, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[2] "Men's NCAA Tournament Bracket 2024-25".

[:0-3] "Houston Tabbed As Big 12 Men's Basketball Favorite, TTU's Toppin Named Preseason Player of the Year".

[4] "Big 12 Media Votes Houston As Preseason MBB Conference Favorite".

[5] "2025–26 Men's Basketball Schedule".

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

Houston Cougars men's basketball
Venues	Sam Houston Coliseum (select games; 1937–19??) Jeppesen Gymnasium (1946–1966) Delmar Fieldhouse (1966–1969) Fertitta Center (1969–2017; 2018–present) Health and Physical Education Arena (2017–2018)
Rivalries	Rice SMU
Culture & lore	Shasta Phi Slama Jama Game of the Century "Cougar Fight Song" Spirit of Houston
People	Head coaches Statistical leaders
Seasons	List of seasons 1945–46 1946–47 1947–48 1948–49 1949–50 1950–51 1951–52 1952–53 1953–54 1954–55 1955–56 1956–57 1957–58 1958–59 1959–60 1960–61 1961–62 1962–63 1963–64 1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69 1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24 2024–25 2025–26
NCAA Final Four appearances in italics