What's wrong with Houston after its third straight loss? A deep dive into the Cougars' late-season swoon
CBS Sports
by
Isaac Trotter
February 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Houston basketball fans can breathe a sigh of relief knowing their team’s recent struggles don’t signal an imminent collapse. Despite dropping three games in a row—a first since 2017—Head Coach Kelvin Sampson remains optimistic. The Cougars’ late-season swoon can be attributed to a brutal stretch of matchups against top-tier opponents, including No. 4 Iowa State, No. 2 Arizona, and No. 1 Kansas, which tested even the most resilient teams.
The challenges began on February 16 when Houston seemed poised for victory over Iowa State but faltered due to clutch performances by Cyclones’ role players like Nate Heise and Jamarion Batemon. Five days later, they faced Arizona, a team with national championship aspirations, and despite dominating play early, faded in the final stretch as the Wildcats pulled away. The week concluded on Monday night with a tough road matchup against Kansas, fresh off a loss but determined to rebound. The Jayhawks delivered a strong performance, highlighted by an 11-0 run in the first half and a decisive 16-3 surge early in the second half, securing their win.
Houston’s starting backcourt, including standout guards Milos Uzan, Emanuel Sharp, and Kingston Flemings, faced significant challenges due to fatigue and injuries. Sharp was hampered by an injury sustained against Arizona, while Uzan battled an ankle issue, leaving them with little energy for the final stretch of the game. Sampson strategically rested his key players near the end, acknowledging their physical limitations after a grueling week.
The Cougars’ reliance on jump shots has proven to be both a strength and a vulnerability. While they rank among the top teams in offensive rebounds, their 27% rim-dependent offense leaves them susceptible when legs are heavy from back-to-back games. Against Kansas, Houston attempted only 17 rim shots out of 66 total attempts, resulting in a lowly 23% conversion rate on jumpers—a stark contrast to their usual efficiency.
Despite the setbacks, Houston remains competitive in the Big 12 standings, trailing Arizona by just two games with three matchups remaining. Their chances of securing a top seed in the conference tournament remain slim at 0.1%, but there’s still room for redemption. The Cougars’ resilience and positive attitude under Sampson suggest they’re far from giving up.
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 2/26/2026