Houston vs. Kansas odds, prediction, time: 2026 college basketball picks for Feb. 23 from advanced model
CBS Sports
by
Ross Kelly
February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
In a highly anticipated college basketball matchup, No. 2 Houston and No. 8 Kansas will face off in a crucial Big 12 showdown on Monday night at Allen Fieldhouse. Both teams enter the game with recent losses, marking an intriguing twist in their rivalry. Houston (23-4, 11-3 Big 12) has dropped two straight games, including a surprising home defeat to Arizona, while Kansas (20-7, 10-4 Big 12) suffered its largest home loss to an unranked team under coach Bill Self against Cincinnati. The game is a key moment for both teams to regain momentum in the conference standings.
Houston’s struggles have not dampened their reputation as strong contenders, with the SportsLine Projection Model giving them a slight edge as 1.5-point favorites. The over/under for total points scored is set at 137.5, and the model predicts that the game will exceed this mark in 61% of simulations. This projection is supported by Houston’s recent performances, where they’ve surpassed the point total in three of their last four road games. Kansas, meanwhile, has also shown offensive potential, with seven players projected to score at least a dozen points each.
The matchup between these two powerhouse programs is no stranger to high-scoring contests, as past meetings at Allen Fieldhouse have averaged over 160 points per game. Both teams are expected to continue their aggressive attacking styles, which could lead to another explosive showdown. Houston’s defense will need to step up against Kansas
Verticals
sports
Originally published on CBS Sports on 2/23/2026