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Houston Cougars Defeat BYU Behind Smart Shot Selection
Head coach Kelvin Sampson credits disciplined offense and understanding of shot selection for road win.
Feb. 10, 2026 at 3:55pm
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The No. 3 Houston Cougars defeated the BYU Cougars 77-66 in a road game, with head coach Kelvin Sampson highlighting his team's shot selection as a key factor in the victory. Sampson revealed that he had to advise freshman guard Kingston Flemings to be more selective with his shots, as BYU was intentionally giving him open looks from the three-point line in an effort to limit Houston's scoring opportunities in the paint.
Why it matters
This game showcased Houston's ability to adapt their offensive strategy based on the defense they faced, prioritizing high-percentage shots in the paint over settling for open jumpers. Sampson's emphasis on disciplined shot selection and ball movement is a testament to the team's basketball IQ, which will be crucial as they continue to face tough opponents on the road.
The details
Houston outscored BYU 30-24 in the paint, and scored 17 points after missing their first shot, compared to just 11 points for BYU after a missed shot. Sampson praised his team's spacing and execution, noting that they were able to get the ball to the right people at the right time in the right spots.
- The game was played on February 7, 2026 in Provo, Utah.
The players
Kelvin Sampson
The head coach of the Houston Cougars basketball team, known for his emphasis on disciplined offense and smart shot selection.
Kingston Flemings
A freshman guard for the Houston Cougars who Sampson had to advise on being more selective with his shot attempts.
Chris Cenac Jr.
A Houston Cougars player who scored 16 points in the win over BYU.
Joseph Tugler
A Houston Cougars player who scored 10 points in the win over BYU.
Emanuel Sharp
A Houston Cougars player who scored 14 points in the win over BYU.
What they’re saying
“That's not on accident, son. Their not guarding you. You can either take the shots they want you to take, or you can take the shots we want you to take, and if you want to win, get the ball to the paint. If you get it on the rim, if you make it, fine, if not, we got a good chance to rebound it and then we'll kick it back out and we'll start another possession.”
— Kelvin Sampson, Head Coach, Houston Cougars
“Our spacing was really good tonight. Our execution was really good, but also our shot selection. To win on the road, you've got to play with high basketball IQ. You've got to understand the importance of discipline and get the ball to the right people at the right time in the right spots, and we always fall back on that.”
— Kelvin Sampson, Head Coach, Houston Cougars
What’s next
The Houston Cougars will look to continue their strong play on the road as they face another top-20 opponent in their next game.
The takeaway
Houston's disciplined approach to shot selection and ball movement proved to be the difference in their road win over BYU, showcasing the team's high basketball IQ and ability to adapt their offensive strategy based on the defense they face.
