Houston Cougars Shift Focus to Arizona After Narrow Loss to Iowa State

Head coach Kelvin Sampson emphasizes recovery and preparation as Houston looks to bounce back from 70-67 defeat.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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The Houston Cougars suffered a narrow 70-67 loss to the Iowa State Cyclones on Monday in Big 12 play, but head coach Kelvin Sampson is quickly shifting his team's focus to their upcoming matchup against the Arizona Wildcats. Despite the setback, Sampson emphasized the need for recovery and preparation, signaling that perspective is crucial in a conference defined by elite competition.

Why it matters

The loss to Iowa State tightened the Big 12 race, making Houston's upcoming game against Arizona an important one for conference positioning and NCAA Tournament seeding. Sampson's forward-looking mentality reinforces the disciplined culture he has established at Houston, where the team understands that championship aspirations hinge on resilience.

The details

Houston had a 10-point lead before Iowa State went on a decisive 17-4 run in the final minutes, with Nate Heise hitting the go-ahead three-pointer with 1:10 left. Despite a 22-point performance from Kingston Flemings, the Cougars dropped to 23-3 overall as the Big 12 race tightened. Sampson, however, did not dwell on the missed opportunities, instead emphasizing the need to recover and prepare for the upcoming matchup against Arizona.

  • The loss to Iowa State occurred on Monday, February 17, 2026.
  • Houston will host Arizona on Saturday.

The players

Kelvin Sampson

The head coach of the Houston Cougars basketball team, known for his disciplined and forward-focused approach.

Kingston Flemings

A player for the Houston Cougars who scored 22 points in the loss to Iowa State.

Nate Heise

A player for the Iowa State Cyclones who hit the go-ahead three-pointer in the final minutes to secure the victory over Houston.

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What they’re saying

“We'll lick our wounds with this one and get ready for another big one on Saturday.”

— Kelvin Sampson, Head Coach, Houston Cougars (The Houston Chronicle)

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.