How to watch and live stream Houston Cougars vs. Kansas Jayhawks NCAAM Big 12 basketball game
The upcoming contest between the No. 2 Houston Cougars and the No. 8 Kansas Jayhawks represents more than just a conference rivalry; it serves as a primary showcase for the Big 12's revamped media rights agreements and the "Big Monday" brand. Scheduled for February 23, 2026, this matchup is positioned as the centerpiece of a national doubleheader, emphasizing the league's status as the premier destination for high-stakes basketball in the United States.
The Houston Cougars enter this pivotal matchup at Allen Fieldhouse ranked No. 2 in the Associated Press poll, carrying a stellar 23-4 overall record and an 11-3 standing in the Big 12. Under the leadership of head coach Kelvin Sampson in his 12th season, Houston has cemented its status as a perennial national title contender, following a 2025 campaign that saw them reach the National Championship game before falling in a two-point heartbreaker to Florida. The 2025-26 season has been a masterclass in defensive efficiency; the Cougars currently rank second in the nation in scoring defense, allowing only 62.0 points per game. Their defensive strategy centers on extreme physicality, forcing 13.9 turnovers per game and holding opponents to a meager 39.9% shooting from the floor.
The narrative of Houston's February has been one of testing and resilience. Entering the "Big Monday" clash, the Cougars have experienced a rare two-game losing streak, falling in a high-octane road contest at No. 6 Iowa State (70-67) and dropping a top-five home showdown against No. 4 Arizona (73-66). These losses have highlighted a sudden struggle with ball security, as the team has recorded double-digit turnovers in three consecutive games, including a season-high 15 against Kansas State. Despite these setbacks, the emergence of five-star freshman point guard Kingston Flemings has provided a dynamic offensive spark. Flemings leads the team in scoring at 16.6 points per game and has already led the squad in scoring in 16 separate contests this season, showcasing a veteran-like poise in high-pressure environments.
The Kansas Jayhawks occupy a fascinating and somewhat perplexing space in the 2025-26 collegiate hierarchy. Currently ranked No. 8 with a 20-7 record (10-4 in Big 12 play), Bill Self's squad has displayed a ceiling that arguably exceeds any other team in the country. Their season highlight came on February 9, when they secured an emotional 82-78 victory over then-No. 1 Arizona at home, a game that showcased the elite potential of their roster. However, this peak has been contrasted by significant valleys, most recently a staggering 84-68 home loss to Cincinnati on February 21. This defeat was characterized as an "uninspired, unenergetic" performance where the Jayhawks hit only 4 of 18 attempts from three-point range and were outrebounded by 11.
Central to the Jayhawks' narrative is the development of their star sophomore, Flory Bidunga. The forward from Kinshasa has become the "best defender in America" according to Bill Self, leading the Big 12 with 74 blocked shots and averaging 14.6 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. Bidunga has registered 11 double-doubles this season and remains the only player in NCAA Division I to average more than 14 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks. Alongside him is freshman phenom Darryn Peterson, the preseason Big 12 Newcomer of the Year. Peterson leads Kansas in scoring at 19.8 points per game, but his season has been disrupted by injuries and illness, causing him to miss 11 of the team's 27 contests. When Peterson and Bidunga are synchronized, the Jayhawks possess a high-low game that is nearly impossible to defend, yet finding that consistency has been the primary challenge for Self in his 23rd season in Lawrence.
NCAAM Basketball (Big 12 Conference)
Kansas Jayhawks (Home) vs. Houston Cougars (Away)
Monday, February 23, 2026, at 9:00 p.m. ET / 8:00 p.m. CT
Where (Stadium/Venue)
Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence, KS
How to watch Houston Cougars vs. Kansas Jayhawks online - national and local U.S. TV channels & live streams
The primary destination for fans looking to catch the No. 2 Houston Cougars at the No. 8 Kansas Jayhawks is ESPN, which holds the national rights for this "Big Monday" feature. Tip-off is officially set for 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time (8:00 p.m. Central Time) on Monday, February 23, 2026. For those with traditional cable or satellite subscriptions, the game will be accessible on the main ESPN channel, providing high-definition coverage and expert analysis from the network's lead collegiate basketball teams.
Streaming services that provide a "skinny bundle" of cable channels also represent a vital avenue for viewing. FuboTV, which includes ESPN in its primary sports-focused tiers, is a prominent option that frequently offers seven-day free trials for new users, making it a favorite for fans looking for a single-game solution. TV and Sling TV (specifically the Orange + Blue package) also carry the necessary ESPN signals, with TV offering features like "Key Plays" and "Stats" overlays during the live broadcast. For those prioritizing affordability, Sling TV remains a competitive entry point, while Paramount+ with Showtime is utilized for weekend games on CBS, though not for this specific Monday ESPN broadcast.
How to watch anywhere with VPN
If you are abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as ExpressVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming.
Probable Starting Lineups
The projected starting lineup for the Houston Cougars on Monday night reflects Kelvin Sampson's commitment to continuity and backcourt versatility. The backcourt will be anchored by freshman point guard Kingston Flemings, who has rapidly developed into one of the nation's premier playmakers, averaging 16.6 points and 5.2 assists per game while standing at 6-foot-4. He is joined by senior guard Emanuel Sharp, a 6-foot-3 sharpshooter whose 16.4 points per game are essential for floor spacing. Completing the three-guard set is senior Milos Uzan, a 6-foot-4 veteran who provides 11.1 points and 4.1 assists, acting as a secondary ball-handler to navigate Kansas's defensive pressure. In the frontcourt, 6-foot-11 freshman Chris Cenac Jr. will start at center, bringing 9.6 points and 7.8 rebounds to the interior, while 6-foot-7 junior forward Joseph Tugler completes the unit with his 7.6 points and 5.3 rebounds, providing the physical toughness that Sampson demands on the boards.
For the Kansas Jayhawks, the starting five is designed to maximize their size and elite freshman scoring. At the center position, 6-foot-9 sophomore Flory Bidunga will be the primary defensive anchor, averaging 14.6 points and 9.3 rebounds while presenting a formidable challenge to Houston's interior attackers. He is paired with 6-foot-10 freshman forward Bryson Tiller, who contributes 8.9 points and 6.0 rebounds, giving the Jayhawks a distinct height advantage in the frontcourt. The backcourt features the superstar freshman Darryn Peterson, a 6-foot-5 guard who leads the team with 19.8 points per game and is widely considered a top-three NBA Draft prospect. Joining him are senior guards Melvin Council Jr., a 6-foot-4 playmaker averaging 13.6 points and 5.1 assists, and 6-foot-7 senior Tre White, who adds 13.7 points and 6.7 rebounds. This lineup possesses the scoring depth to rival Houston, but its success will hinge on Peterson's health and the bench contributions of Elmarko Jackson and Jamari McDowell.
Head-to-Head Series History
The competitive history between Houston and Kansas has intensified since the Cougars joined the Big 12, creating a high-stakes divisional rivalry that often dictates the conference standings. In their most recent four matchups spanning the 2024 and 2025 seasons, Houston has asserted a slight dominance, winning three of the four contests. On March 3, 2025, the Cougars secured a 65-59 victory over the Jayhawks, a game that highlighted Houston's ability to limit Kansas's interior scoring through disciplined defensive rotations.
However, the Jayhawks proved their resilience in the previous meeting on January 25, 2025, where they managed a 92-86 overtime victory in Lawrence, utilizing the electric atmosphere of Allen Fieldhouse to overcome a late Houston lead. Earlier in 2024, the teams split their meetings, with Houston taking a decisive 76-46 win at home in March, while Kansas defended their home court in February with a 78-65 victory.
