A highly anticipated Big 12 clash unfolds tonight as the No. 5 Iowa State Cyclones (22-3, 9-3) welcome the No. 3 Houston Cougars (23-2, 11-1) to Hilton Coliseum. This Top 5 matchup showcases two of the nation”s elite defensive squads. The Cougars are currently leading the Big 12, sitting one game ahead of Arizona and two games above Iowa State. Houston recently secured their sixth consecutive victory with a decisive 78-64 win over Kansas State, where Emanuel Sharp led the team with 23 points and six rebounds.
On the other hand, Iowa State returns home after a commanding 74-56 victory against Kansas, with five players reaching double figures, highlighted by Milan Momcilovic, who scored 18 points on 4-of-9 shooting from three-point range. The Cyclones boast an impressive home record of 14-0 this season, improving to 47-2 at home over the past three years.
This matchup is anticipated to be fiercely contested, featuring two of the country”s strongest defenses. Houston leads the nation in defensive efficiency, allowing only an average of 61.3 points per game, while Iowa State ranks sixth with an average of 64.5 points allowed. The intensity begins right from the opening tip, with Houston permitting just 27.9 points in the first half and Iowa State allowing 29.6 points.
As the regular season draws to a close, this game holds significant implications for both the Big 12 standings and the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Houston boasts a 7-2 record in Quadrant 1 games and remains undefeated in Quadrant 2 matchups at 8-0. Conversely, Iowa State is 6-3 in Quadrant 1 games and has a perfect record of 9-0 in Quadrant 2.
Analyzing the latest rankings, Iowa State sits at No. 7 in the KenPom ratings and No. 8 in the NET rankings, while Houston holds the No. 4 spot in both metrics. As both teams prepare for this pivotal encounter, attention turns to the starting lineups, injuries, and other factors that could influence the outcome.
Game details are as follows:
- Game: No. 3 Houston vs. No. 5 Iowa State
- Date: Monday, February 16, 2026
- Time: 9 PM EST
- Location: Hilton Coliseum, Ames, IA
- Network: ESPN
The latest odds from DraftKings indicate Houston as an underdog with a moneyline of +120, while Iowa State is favored at -142. The spread stands at Iowa State -2.5, with a total set at 134.5 points.
Injury updates reveal that Houston will be without Kordel Jefferson (knee) and Bryce Jackson (redshirt), while Iowa State”s Xzavion Mitchell is questionable due to an undisclosed issue, and Mason Williams (hip) is ruled out.
Iowa State remains undefeated at home this season, while Houston has a solid 5-1 record on the road. The Cyclones are 15-10 against the spread overall, with a 7-7 record at home, whereas Houston is 14-11 against the spread this season, including a 4-2 mark on the road. The over has hit in 11 of Iowa State”s 25 games, while Houston has seen the over in 10 of their 25 contests.
As this thrilling matchup approaches, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how these two powerhouse teams will perform under pressure.
