Kansas Jayhawks Upset No. 5 Houston Cougars in Big 12 Tournament Thriller

Darryn Peterson's late heroics lift Kansas to victory over conference rival Houston

Mar. 13, 2026 at 8:48pm

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In a highly anticipated matchup between two top-15 teams, the Kansas Jayhawks pulled off an upset victory over the 5th-ranked Houston Cougars in the Big 12 Conference Tournament. Led by potential NBA lottery pick Darryn Peterson's clutch performance down the stretch, Kansas avenged an earlier loss to Houston and advanced in the tournament with a narrow win.

Why it matters

This victory over a top-5 opponent is a major boost for Kansas' NCAA Tournament resume and solidifies their status as a team capable of making a deep run in March. The loss is a setback for Houston, who had been riding high but now must regroup before the Big Dance.

The details

Kansas overcame a slow start and a halftime deficit to rally past Houston in the second half. Peterson scored a team-high 22 points, including several key baskets in the final minutes to seal the win. Tre White added 16 points and 8 rebounds for the Jayhawks, while Houston was led by freshman guard Kingston Flemings' 18 points.

  • The game was played on Friday, March 13, 2026 in the Big 12 Conference Tournament.
  • Kansas and Houston had previously met on February 23, 2026, with Kansas winning 69-56.

The players

Darryn Peterson

A potential NBA lottery pick, Peterson led Kansas with 22 points in the upset victory.

Tre White

The junior forward contributed 16 points and 8 rebounds for the Jayhawks.

Kingston Flemings

The freshman guard paced Houston with a team-high 18 points in the losing effort.

Kelvin Sampson

The veteran Houston head coach will look to regroup his team ahead of the NCAA Tournament.

Bill Self

The Kansas head coach guided his team to a signature win over a top-5 opponent.

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What they’re saying

“We knew this was going to be a battle, but our guys stepped up and made the plays when it mattered most. I'm proud of the way we fought and gutted out this win against a very tough Houston team.”

— Bill Self, Kansas Head Coach

“It's a tough loss, but we'll learn from this and be ready to make a run in the NCAA Tournament. We have to put this behind us and focus on the next challenge ahead.”

— Kelvin Sampson, Houston Head Coach

What’s next

Kansas will advance to the Big 12 Tournament semifinals, while Houston will await their seeding and matchup for the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

This thrilling victory over a top-5 opponent showcases Kansas' potential as a dark horse Final Four contender, while also highlighting the resilience of Bill Self's squad. Meanwhile, Houston's first loss to a ranked team this season serves as a wake-up call, but the Cougars remain a formidable force poised to make noise in March Madness.