No. 16 BYU Faces Stiff Test Against No. 8 Houston

Cougars' high-powered offense meets Cougars' stifling defense in Big 12 showdown

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The nation's leading scorer, BYU's AJ Dybantsa, will face his toughest challenge yet against the second-best defense in the country when No. 16 BYU hosts No. 8 Houston on Saturday. BYU is looking to rebound after three straight losses, while Houston has already reached the 20-win mark for the 11th straight season under coach Kelvin Sampson.

Why it matters

This matchup features two of the top teams in the Big 12 conference, with BYU's high-powered offense going up against Houston's stifling defense. The outcome could have major implications for both teams' NCAA Tournament seeding and hopes of making a deep March Madness run.

The details

BYU's Dybantsa leads the nation with 23.9 points per game, but will be tested by a Houston defense that has allowed just 61.4 points per game this season. The Cougars from Provo have lost three straight and four of their last five, while Houston has won 20 games already under veteran coach Kelvin Sampson.

  • BYU's three-game losing streak started with a home loss to No. 1 Arizona on Jan. 26.
  • The Cougars have since lost consecutive road games at then-No. 14 Kansas and Oklahoma State.

The players

AJ Dybantsa

BYU's leading scorer, averaging 23.9 points per game and regarded as one of the top NBA draft prospects.

Kelvin Sampson

Houston's head coach, who has led the Cougars to 20 wins in 11 straight seasons.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We've just got to get ourselves out of this hole. (Coach Kevin Young) said in the team meeting after, it's hard to go through adversity, but I mean, if we want to be the team that we want to be, we've got to dig ourselves out of this.”

— AJ Dybantsa (statenews.net)

“Our defense, it was terrible. They had 52 points in the paint. They scored at will. We couldn't keep anyone in front of us, and it was just a layup fest.”

— Kevin Young, BYU Head Coach (statenews.net)

“I don't take it for granted. But I've been coaching for a long time. I know how hard it is to win a game. It's very hard to win a game.”

— Kelvin Sampson, Houston Head Coach (statenews.net)

What’s next

The outcome of this game could have major implications for both teams' NCAA Tournament seeding and hopes of making a deep March Madness run.

The takeaway

This matchup between two of the top teams in the Big 12 features a clash of styles, with BYU's high-powered offense looking to overcome Houston's stifling defense. The game could serve as a barometer for both teams as they aim to position themselves for success in the postseason.