The University of Houston’s men’s basketball program has released its 2026‑27 schedule, a demanding 18‑game lineup that will test the Cougars against the nation’s top competition in the Big 12 Conference.
Home‑and‑home battles
Houston will host Arizona, Colorado and Texas Tech in a home‑and‑away format, giving the fan base multiple chances to see the team face familiar foes on the road and at the Fertitta Center.
The Cougars will also welcome BYU, Iowa State, Kansas, Oklahoma State, TCU and Utah for additional home contests, setting the stage for a packed schedule that blends tradition with fresh challenges.
Road trips across the conference
Houston’s travel itinerary includes trips to Arizona State, Baylor, Cincinnati, Kansas State, UCF and West Virginia, where the team will look to translate its defensive identity into wins on the road.
Building on recent success
The Cougars finished the previous season with a 30‑7 overall record and a 14‑4 mark in Big 12 play, advancing to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 for the seventh straight year and securing a postseason berth for the eighth consecutive campaign.
Head coach Kelvin Sampson will rely on a core that includes forward Joseph Tugler, guard Mercy Miller, forward Chase McCarty and guard Kordel Jefferson, all of whom contributed significantly in the prior campaign.
Tugler, a defensive standout who earned Naismith National Defensive Player of the Year finalist honors for the second straight season, returns alongside Miller, McCarty and Jefferson, providing a blend of experience and versatility.
The roster also welcomes eight newcomers who will add depth and new dimensions to the team’s strategy as the Cougars aim to contend for another deep tournament run.
Schedule details pending
The full slate, complete with game dates, tip‑off times and broadcasting partners, will be released in the coming weeks, allowing fans to plan their attendance and viewing schedules.