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University of Houston Athletics
#5/5 Men’s Basketball Tabbed as #2 Seed in NCAA Tournament
3/15/2026 8:10:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Cougars open vs. (15) Idaho in Oklahoma City on Thursday night
HOUSTON – For the eighth straight season, the University of Houston Men's Basketball program is dancing in March.Under the leadership of Head Coach Kelvin Sampson, the 2025-26 Cougars were selected to compete as the #2 seed in the NCAA Tournament South Region. Houston will meet (15) Idaho at approximately 9:10 p.m., inside Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
This is the fourth straight season in which the Cougars have earned a Top-Two seeding in the NCAA Tournament.
In 2025-26, Sampson and his Cougars have posted a 28-6 overall record and finished second in the Big 12 Conference with a 14-4 league mark. It marked the ninth straight Top-Two conference regular-season finish for the Cougars.
Houston has been ranked among the nation's Top-10 in both national polls for the entire season and for each of the last 124 weeks in the Associated Press poll, a school record and the nation's longest active streak.
Sampson and the Cougars watched Sunday's Selection Show from the floor of the Fertitta Center with fans. The show was part of the Coogs Selection Sunday Fan Fest and Watch Party hosted by LinkingCoogs and presented by BB's Tex-Orleans and TDECU to support the UH Men's Basketball NIL program.
SERIES HISTORY
• Thursday's First-Round game will be only the second meeting against the Vandals in school history.
• In the lone previous meeting, Houston took a 76-61 win during the All-College Tournament in Oklahoma City on December 27, 1963.
TUNE IN
• Fans can watch Thursday's game on truTV with on Brandon Gauin (play-by-play), Chris Webber (analyst) and Andy Katz (reporter).
• Fans can hear Thursday's game on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app with Jeremy Branham (play-by-play) and Elvin Hayes (analyst). The pregame show begins at 8:55 p.m., Thursday.
BUY 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.
UP NEXT
• With a win against in the NCAA Tournament First Round, the Cougars would face the winner from (7) Saint Mary's-(10) Texas A&M on Saturday. Game time would be announced following the First-Round games.
• All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app.
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 –
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