Kansas Faces Tough Test Against Houston on Big Monday

Bill Self's perfect Big Monday record at home on the line against Cougars

Feb. 22, 2026 at 3:11pm

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The Kansas Jayhawks will host the Houston Cougars in a crucial Big Monday matchup, with several of head coach Bill Self's impressive streaks on the line. Self has a perfect 39-0 record at home on Big Monday during his 23-year tenure, and the Jayhawks have never lost consecutive games under his leadership. However, Kansas is coming off a tough loss to Cincinnati, and Houston will be looking to bounce back from its own recent defeats.

Why it matters

This game has major implications for both teams' NCAA Tournament aspirations, as well as Bill Self's legacy at Kansas. A win for the Jayhawks would help them secure a top seed in the tournament, while a loss could further damage their conference title hopes. For Self, maintaining his undefeated Big Monday record at home would cement his status as one of the most successful coaches in program history.

The details

Kansas is coming off a disappointing loss to Cincinnati, which has put a dent in their Big 12 title hopes. However, they still have a chance to secure a top seed in the NCAA Tournament, and a win over Houston would be a significant boost. The Cougars, on the other hand, have dropped their last two games and will be looking to get back on track. Houston has already defeated several ranked opponents this season, including Arkansas, BYU, and Texas Tech.

  • The game will take place on Big Monday, February 24, 2026.
  • Kansas has never lost consecutive games under Bill Self's leadership.

The players

Bill Self

The head coach of the Kansas Jayhawks, who has led the team to a perfect 39-0 record at home on Big Monday during his 23-year tenure.

Kelvin Sampson

The head coach of the Houston Cougars, who will be looking to lead his team to a victory and snap Self's impressive Big Monday streak.

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What they’re saying

“Per KenPom, Houston had a 0.4% chance to win when Kansas had the ball and a 6-point lead with 20 seconds remaining in 1st OT.”

— Jared Berson

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This game will be a true test of Bill Self's coaching prowess, as he looks to maintain his perfect Big Monday record at home and lead the Jayhawks to a crucial victory over a tough Houston team. The outcome of this matchup could have significant implications for both teams' NCAA Tournament aspirations.