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Ames Today
By the People, for the People
No. 3 Houston Cougars visit No. 5 Iowa State Cyclones in Big 12 showdown
The top-5 college basketball teams clash in a key Big 12 matchup on Monday night
Published on Feb. 16, 2026
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The No. 3 Houston Cougars (23-2, 11-1 Big 12) will travel to Ames, Iowa to take on the No. 5 Iowa State Cyclones (22-3, 9-3 Big 12) in a top-5 college basketball showdown on Monday, February 16. Houston has won six straight games and sits atop the Big 12 standings, while Iowa State has won six of its last seven and is coming off a double-digit victory over No. 9 Kansas. The Cougars have won the last two meetings between these programs.
Why it matters
This game features two of the top teams in the Big 12 and the country, with major implications for the conference standings and NCAA Tournament seeding. Both teams have high-powered offenses, ranking among the nation's best in various statistical categories, setting up what should be an exciting and high-scoring affair.
The details
Houston boasts one of the most efficient offenses in college basketball, committing the fewest turnovers of any team. Iowa State is an excellent shooting team, ranking 7th in 3-point percentage and 13th in field goal percentage. The Cougars have won the last two meetings between these programs.
- The game tips off at 9 p.m. ET on Monday, February 16, 2026.
- Houston has won six straight games entering this matchup.
- Iowa State has won six of its last seven games, including a double-digit victory over No. 9 Kansas on Saturday.
The players
Houston Cougars
The No. 3 ranked team in the country, leading the Big 12 standings with an 11-1 conference record.
Iowa State Cyclones
The No. 5 ranked team in the country, with a 22-3 overall record and 9-3 mark in Big 12 play.
What’s next
The winner of this game will take a big step towards securing a high seed in the NCAA Tournament, while the loser will look to bounce back in their remaining regular season games.
The takeaway
This top-5 matchup between two of the nation's most efficient offenses should produce an exciting and high-scoring college basketball game, with major implications for the Big 12 standings and NCAA Tournament seeding.
