Joseph Tugler Recognized as CBS Sports Preseason National Defensive Player of the Year

Joseph Tugler Recognized as CBS Sports Preseason National Defensive Player of the Year

10/23/2025 4:50:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Junior forward collects inaugural preseason honor from organization

Joseph Tugler, CBS Sports Preseason National Defensive Player of the Year

HOUSTON – University of Houston junior forward Joseph Tugler was recognized as the CBS Sports Preseason National Defensive Player of the Year.

This was the latest preseason honor for Tugler ahead of the start of the 2025-26 campaign.

The Monroe, La., native was named to the Preseason All-Big 12 Conference Team, joining teammates senior point guard Milos Uzan and senior guard Emanuel Sharp.

This was the first time CBS Sports selected a Preseason National Defensive Player of the Year.

Purdue guard Braden Smith was named the CBS Sports Preseason Player of the Year while Michigan forward Yaxel Landeborg was selected as the Preseason Transfer of the Year.

ABOUT JOSEPH TUGLER
Tugler burst into the national spotlight and established himself as one of the nation's premier defensive players during the 2024-25 season.

He was one of only five Cougars to compete in all 40 games to set a school single-season record and was recognized as the Lefty Driesell Award recipient. That honor is presented annually to the nation's top defensive player.

Joseph Tugler, Terrance Arceneaux, Defense, Block

Joseph Tugler, Terrance Arceneaux, Defense, Block

Tugler ranked among the national and Big 12 leaders with 1.9 blocked shots per game and stood second among the Cougars with 5.9 rebounds per contest.

Tugler grabbed 7+ rebounds in 18 games, including a season-high 11 boards in the Cougars' NCAA Tournament Second-Round win over #24/23 (8) Gonzaga.

He also blocked 3+ shots in 11 games, including a stunning eight swats against #9/9 Alabama during the first day of the Players Era Championship in Las Vegas, to become only the sixth Cougar in school history to block 8+ shots in a game.

For his impressive performances throughout the year, Tugler was a Naismith National Defensive Player of the Year presented by MOLECULE finalist.

UP NEXT
Houston opens its 2025-26 season during The Preview CBB Exhibition against Mississippi State at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, inside Fort Bend Epicenter in Rosenberg, Texas.

Tickets for the game are on sale now by clicking here.

Tugler and the Cougars begin their 2025-26 regular-season schedule when they play host to Lehigh on Monday, Nov. 3, inside Fertitta Center. Houston will unveil its 2024-25 NCAA Final Four banner on the Fertitta Center concourse, and Head Coach Kelvin Sampson looks to make history as he goes for the 800^th win of his career.

Single-game home tickets for all games inside Fertitta Center are now on sale, and fans are encouraged to purchase quickly while supplies last. The two-time defending Big 12 Conference Champions, the Cougars will play host to 16 home games inside Fertitta Center with seven in non-conference play and nine in Big 12 action in 2025-26.

Fans can purchase single-game tickets by clicking here.

Fans interested in purchasing group tickets may complete this form to be contacted by a member of the Houston Athletics Tickets Sales staff.

BUY SEASON TICKETS
Non-season ticket holders interested in purchasing season tickets are invited to place their names on the Season Ticket Wait List by clicking here.

ABOUT the COUGARS
Houston returns three starters and seven lettermen in 2025-26

The Cougars will be boosted with the addition one of the nation's top recruiting classes with freshman guard Isiah Harwell, freshman forward Chris Cenac Jr., freshman point guard Kingston Flemings, freshman guard Bryce Jackson and senior forward Kalifa Sakho.

In 2024-25, the Cougars set a school single-season record with 35 wins and advanced to the NCAA Tournament National Championship Game inside Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

Houston, which finished #2 in both national polls, won 31 of its final 33 games to end the season and advanced to the NCAA Final Four for the seventh time in program history – and the second time under Sampson – with a resounding 69-50 win over #6/6 (2) Tennessee during the NCAA Elite Eight in Indianapolis on March 30.

The Cougars swept the Big 12 regular-season and tournament championships in their second year in the league and set school and league records with a 19-1 mark in conference games. Houston became the first school to join a major conference and win the regular-season title in each of its first two years in the league in more than 100 years.

Houston posted a perfect 10-0 record in road games in Big 12 play, becoming the first program in NCAA Division I history to accomplish that feat in a season, and enter the 2025-26 season with the nation's longest active road winning streak at 14 straight games.

SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Men's Basketball by providing NIL opportunities and by joining the 50-50 Club, which provides financial support directly to Houston Men's Basketball for needs beyond its operating budget.

Fans who join the 50-50 Club will receive embroidered Jordan Brand team apparel, invitations to exclusive events, regular updates about the program and much more.

STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on X and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarMBK or by visiting the team's Instagram page at UHCougarMBK.

– UHCougars.com –