Houston Cougars Face BYU Cougars in Big 12 Showdown

Top-20 teams clash in highly anticipated conference matchup

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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The No. 8 Houston Cougars (20-2, 8-1 Big 12) travel to Provo, Utah, to take on the No. 16 BYU Cougars (17-5, 5-4 Big 12) in a pivotal Big 12 Conference battle on Saturday night. Both teams are looking to make a statement, with Houston riding high after consecutive blowout wins and BYU seeking to halt a three-game losing streak.

Why it matters

This matchup features two rising powers in the Big 12 Conference, with both teams looking to solidify their positions as contenders. A win for Houston would further cement its status as a national title threat, while a victory for BYU would provide a much-needed confidence boost as the Cougars navigate a challenging conference schedule.

The details

The game will showcase a highly anticipated freshman face-off between BYU's A.J. Dybantsa and Houston's Kingston Flemings. Dybantsa leads BYU in scoring at 23.6 points per game, while Flemings has emerged as a game-changer for Houston, averaging 17 points per night with impressive efficiency. Houston's lineup features a blend of scoring ability and rebounding strength, while BYU will rely heavily on Dybantsa's scoring prowess and the playmaking of its guards.

  • The game is scheduled for Saturday, February 8, 2026.

The players

A.J. Dybantsa

A freshman guard for the BYU Cougars, currently leading the team in scoring with an average of 23.6 points per game.

Kingston Flemings

A freshman guard for the Houston Cougars, who has rapidly emerged as a game-changer for the team, averaging 17 points per game with impressive efficiency.

Houston Cougars

The No. 8 ranked team in the Big 12 Conference, with a record of 20-2 (8-1 in conference play).

BYU Cougars

The No. 16 ranked team in the Big 12 Conference, with a record of 17-5 (5-4 in conference play).

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What’s next

The winner of this game will take a significant step towards solidifying their position in the Big 12 Conference standings and potentially earning a higher seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

This matchup between the Houston Cougars and BYU Cougars promises to be a thrilling contest, showcasing the talent and potential of two programs on the rise in the Big 12 Conference. The battle between freshmen stars Dybantsa and Flemings adds another layer of intrigue to what is already a must-watch game.