Houston Cougars: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Houston's Joseph Tugler Named Finalist For National Defensive Award

Even though Houston men's basketball's 2025-26 campaign came to an official end on March 26 as the No. 2 seed in the South region with its 65-55 Sweet 16 loss to No.

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Kelvin Sampson’s Decision on His Future is Best For the Big 12

Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson is set to return for the 2026-27 college basketball season, as first reported by Jon Rothstein on Saturday. Sampson told Rothstein, “I’m excited as I’ve ever been to keep coaching.” And for the Big 12 Conference, this is a huge win.

Houston Cougars News / Houston Cougars on SI / March 28

Two Biggest Transfer Portal Needs for Houston Cougars

The Houston Cougars basketball season came to an upbrupt early end in the Sweet 16 against Illinois. It was a shocking loss in terms of how the game played out as the Cougars were blown out for the majority of the second half.

Houston Cougars News / Houston Cougars on SI / March 27

How the Houston Cougars' March Madness Loss Could Have Been Avoided

The 2026 NCAA Tournament for the Houston Cougars' men's basketball team ended a bit sooner than they were expecting, losing 65-55 to the No. 3 seed Illinois Fighting Illini in the Sweet 16 round.

Houston Cougars News / Houston Cougars on SI / March 27

Houston Coach Kelvin Sampson After Sweet 16 Loss vs. Illinois: 'They Are My Life'

The Houston Cougars saw their 2025-26 season come to an end on Thursday night. Despite boasting one of the most talented rosters among remaining teams in March Madness, the Cougars' offense simply went cold, resulting in a 65-55 loss to Illinois.

College Basketball News / Houston Cougars on SI / March 27

3 Things That Cost Houston Cougars in Loss vs. Illinois

The Houston Cougars' quest back to the title game of the NCAA Tournament after coming up just short a year ago, finishing as runners-up, has come to an end in the Sweet Sixteen.

College Basketball News / Houston Cougars on SI / March 27

The Good, Bad and Ugly of Houston's Heartbreaking Sweet 16 Loss to Illinois

HOUSTON- It was a sad night in Houston as the No. 2 seed UH Cougars shockingly fell to the No. 3 seed Illinois Fighting Illini 65-55 in the Sweet 16 on late Thursday night.

Houston Cougars News / Houston Cougars on SI / March 27

3 Takeaways From No. 2 Houston's Crushing Season-Ending Loss to No. 3 Illinois

HOUSTON-- One. Bad. Night. In an unfortunate tale as old as time for No. 2-seed Houston men's basketball, and the case for any team in the NCAA tournament, that's all it takes for a season to end when the ball just doesn't fall in.

Houston Cougars News / Houston Cougars on SI / March 26

Kelvin Sampson Shares Why Exactly Houston Has Become Such a Successful Program

The No. 2-seed Houston Cougars have dominated their way to the Sweet 16. After blowout wins against No. 15-seed Idaho and No. 10-seed Texas A&M, the Cougars will now face their toughest test yet against No.

Houston Cougars News / Houston Cougars on SI / March 26

Houston's Unofficial Home Sweet 16 Continues to Make History

When University of Houston Athletics relinquished hosting for the 2026 NCAA South Regional to Rice University back in September, it was for a moment like this.

College Basketball News / HBCUs on SI / March 26

NCAA Sweet 16: Houston Cougars Confident in Culture, Chemistry, and Hometown Support

HOUSTON — When the No. 2-seeded Houston Cougars tip off against No. 3 Illinois at Toyota Center on Thursday night at 9:05 p.m. CT, they will be doing so in their own backyard — less than 3 miles from the main campus.

Houston Cougars News / Houston Cougars on SI / March 25

Emanuel Sharp Highlights Two Major Factors Ahead of Sweet 16

Throughout this week, select players for the No. 2-seed Houston Cougars have met with the media to discuss the program's Sweet 16 matchup against the No.

What To Watch For in Houston's Weekend Series vs. Baylor

Another week. Another opportunity. That’s the mindset that both the Houston Cougars and Baylor Bears have to have going into the weekend series when they face off against each other with similar records.

Houston Cougars News / Houston Cougars on SI / March 25

Kelvin Sampson Reveals Houston's Critical Secret Weapon in the NCAA Tournament

The Houston Cougars have become one of the most well-known brands in college basketball and, more recently, have become synonymous with finding ways to achieve consistent success in the NCAA Tournament.

Houston Cougars News / Houston Cougars on SI / March 24

This Houston Cougars Player's Showing vs. Texas A&M Was No Coincidence

The No. 2-seed Houston Cougars cruised to a Sweet 16 appearance after a dominant showing against the No. 10-seed Texas A&M Aggies. Four Cougars reached double figures, with several others delivering in key stretches that helped put the game away.

Houston Cougars News / Houston Cougars on SI / March 24

Where Houston Cougars Rank Among Sweet 16 Teams

The Houston Cougars are back in the Sweet 16 for the seventh straight season. It's the longest active streak in the country and one of the longest in NCAA Tournament history.

College Basketball News / College Football News / March 24

Houston vs Illinois Prediction and Preview: NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

There’s the Houston we’ve been waiting for. The Cougars were good all season long, and the defense started to crank up the intensity late in the season, but they haven’t looked or played like the team that came achingly close to winning the national title last year.

Houston Cougars News / Houston Cougars on SI / March 23

Kelvin Sampson Says Houston’s Defense Was Nothing Out of the Ordinary vs Texas A&M

Fresh off a commanding win over the No. 10-seed Texas A&M Aggies, the No. 2-seed Houston Cougars advanced to the Sweet 16 and met with the media, where head coach Kelvin Sampson, Emanuel Sharp, and Milos Uzan discussed another statement win during March Madness.