#2 Houston vs. #8 Kansas Picks and Predictions: Big 12 Hoops
Written by: Nate Hornung
Published: Mon Feb 23, 2026, 11:45 am ET
Read Time: 5 minutes
ncaab
We are in for an exciting Big Monday as North Carolina hosts Louisville in the ACC. But the Big 12 gives us yet another top 10 matchup (probably top 15 with the new rankings) at a very historic CBB venue. The No. 8 Kansas Jayhawks are looking to avoid a second straight loss as they host the No. 2 Houston Cougars, who are looking to avoid dropping three in a row! Get your popcorn ready and check out how our college hoops analysts are betting on this game below by exploring their favorite picks.
Best Bet: Houston/Kansas Under 138.5 (-113) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
Go check out what else I've got on my daily card, and view the latest odds at the best online sportsbooks.
#2 Houston Cougars vs. #8 Kansas Jayhawks NCAA Basketball Insights
Kingston Flemings and the Cougars are looking to avoid three straight losses for the first time in nine years
Something has to give in this matchup, but one of two very rare feats will happen. The Houston Cougars are in danger of losing a third straight game. They lost to Iowa State in Ames last Monday, and are coming off a home loss to Arizona this weekend. Now they have to turn around and try and get a win at Allen Fieldhouse. The Cougars have not lost three in a row since January of 2017, when they were still a member of the AAC.
But something even more rare that could happen, is the Jayhawks losing two straight at Allen Fieldhouse. Plus, Bill Self's 40-0 record at home during Big Monday is in jeopardy as well. Kansas has never lost two in a row at home with Self as the head coach, and I doubt they intend to start now. Regardless, we are in for a treat as these teams battle it out at Phog Allen on Monday night.
Matchup Information – Houston vs. Kansas – February 23
- Venue & Location: Allen Fieldhouse (Lawrence, KS)
- Date: Monday, February 23, 2026
- Kick Off: 9:00 p.m. Eastern
- Broadcast: ESPN
Houston vs. Kansas Betting Odds
Odds are courtesy of Lucky Rebel, one of our favorite online sportsbooks, as of February 23, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. eastern. Sign up today with and get a $1,250 deposit bonus, as well as 50 slot spins immediately. Lucky Rebel Sportsbook offers a wide variety of unique markets across nearly every sport imaginable.
Spread
- Houston -1.5 (-110)
- Kansas +1.5 (-110)
Moneyline
- Houston -125
- Kansas +103
Total
- Over 138.5 (-107)
- Under 138.5 (-113)
This total has been ticking up from the 134.5 opener. I have not quite pulled the trigger on the under, as I am hoping we can get up to 140, but regardless, I'll be on the under in this game.
#2 Houston vs. #8 Kansas NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions
Tre White and the Jayhawks need to lock down Houston's offense tonight at home
Houston vs. Kansas Prediction: Kansas Wins Outright, Under 138.5
Best Bet: Houston/Kansas Under 138.5 (-113) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
Houston loves to slow things down, and although Kansas likes to speed things up a little, their defense has been their identity recently. The Cougars rank second in the conference in adjusted defensive efficiency and opponent eFG%. The Jayhawks are right up there with them, and they're actually in the top 10 in the nation defensively over their last 10 games. Sure, the offense was nonexistent in their loss to Cincinnati, but knowing the Cougars will make this a rock fight is all the more reason for the Jayhawks to lean on their defensive presence to slow this team down.
Houston's offense has not been good, especially over the last few games against very good defensive teams (Iowa State and Arizona). Recently, the Jayhawks have been playing just as good on that end of the floor, and it's always tough to go into Allen Fieldhouse and get a win. Although Houston is more than capable of doing exactly that, they do not have the outside shooting touch to try to catch up if they fall down early.
They shot just 36% from the field as a team against Arizona and just 42% against the Cyclones. Their team eFG% is the one blemish in terms of advanced analytics offensively for this team, and against a team like Kansas that ranks sixth nationally in opponent eFG%, it could be a rough night for the Cougar's shooters.
Still Didn't Get Your NCAA Basketball Fix?
Here at Betting News, we offer Free Expert Picks for every major sports league. We also host daily streams on our Twitch Channel with our best bets, as well as sweat out games on Playback! Be sure to tune into everything we have going on at our Youtube, TikTok, and X pages as well, and follow my personal twitter @Shaggy_Bets for my full daily card.
- Transfer Portal Update
- 2025-2026 NCAA Basketball Preview
- SEC Basketball Preview
- Big 12 Conference Picks
- Big Ten Conference Predictions
- ACC Basketball Preview
More NCAAB News
NCAAB Betting News
NCAA Expands March Madness Tournament to 76 Teams Beginning in 2027
NCAAB Betting News
NCAA Basketball Transfer Portal Update: Portal Entries and New Signings
NCAAB Betting News
NCAA Basketball Coaching Changes: Where Are They Now?
NCAAB Betting News
#2 UConn vs. #1 Michigan Picks and Predictions: National Championship
Get FREE Picks and Props Weekly
Sign up for
THE WEEKENDER NEWSLETTER
Check Out All of Our Betting Resources at Betting News
Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.
This site contains commercial content. We may be compensated for the links provided on this page. The content on this page is for informational purposes only. Betting News makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event.