Kansas guard Jamari McDowell (11) roars after the Jayhawks forced a turnover on Houston during the first half, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Allen Fieldhouse. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas forward Flory Bidunga (40) pulls in Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) during the first half, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Allen Fieldhouse. Photo by Nick Krug

Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson has words for an official during the first half, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Allen Fieldhouse. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas guard Darryn Peterson (22) turns back to the bench as he gets back on defense during the second half, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Allen Fieldhouse. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas forward Flory Bidunga (40) and Houston forward Joseph Tugler (11) battle for position during the first half, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Allen Fieldhouse. Photo by Nick Krug

A sea of red Kansas fans await the starting lineup Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Allen Fieldhouse. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas students go wild during the first half, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Allen Fieldhouse. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas guard Darryn Peterson (22) slaps hands with Big Jay following the Jayhawks’ 69-56 win over Houston on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Allen Fieldhouse. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) pulls a rebound from Houston forward Joseph Tugler (11) during the second half, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Allen Fieldhouse. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) pulls up for a shot over Houston guard Kingston Flemings (4) during the second half, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Allen Fieldhouse. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas guard Darryn Peterson (22) pulls up for a three over Houston guard Mercy Miller (25) during the second half, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Allen Fieldhouse. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) looks to make a move against Houston guard Kingston Flemings (4) during the second half, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Allen Fieldhouse. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) makes a move against Houston guard Kingston Flemings (4) and Houston forward Chris Cenac Jr. (5) during the second half, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Allen Fieldhouse. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas forward Flory Bidunga (40) pulls a rebound from Houston guard Mercy Miller (25) during the second half, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Allen Fieldhouse. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas guard Tre White (3) jumps up to slap hands with the Kansas students above the scoreboard following the Jayhawks’ 69-56 win over Houston on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Allen Fieldhouse. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas forward Flory Bidunga (40) and teammates huddle around Kansas guard Tre White (3) as he is interviewed following the Jayhawks’ 69-56 win over Houston on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Allen Fieldhouse. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) shoots a video of himself and the Kansas student section following the Jayhawks’ 69-56 win over Houston on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Allen Fieldhouse. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) puts up a bucket against Houston guard Milos Uzan (7) and Houston forward Joseph Tugler (11) during the second half, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Allen Fieldhouse. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas guard Tre White (3) adjusts as he goes to the bucket against Houston guard Kingston Flemings (4) during the second half, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Allen Fieldhouse. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas forward Flory Bidunga (40) cuts around a trap from Houston forward Chris Cenac Jr. (5) and Houston forward Joseph Tugler (11) during the second half, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Allen Fieldhouse. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas forward Bryson Tiller (15) elevates for a dunk against Houston during the second half, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Allen Fieldhouse. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) leans through Houston guard Mercy Miller (25) and Houston guard Kingston Flemings (4) for a shot during the second half, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Allen Fieldhouse. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas guard Tre White (3) celebrates after hitting a three pointer in front of Houston forward Joseph Tugler (11) during the second half, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Allen Fieldhouse. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas guard Jamari McDowell (11) roars after the Jayhawks forced a turnover on Houston during the first half, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Allen Fieldhouse. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas guard Jamari McDowell (11) looks to knock the ball loose from Houston guard Mercy Miller (25) during the first half, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Allen Fieldhouse. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas guard Tre White (3) celebrates a turnover by Houston during the first half, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Allen Fieldhouse. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas guard Tre White (3) and Houston forward Chris Cenac Jr. (5) battle for a rebound during the first half, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Allen Fieldhouse. Photo by Nick Krug

Houston forward Chris Cenac Jr. (5) pulls a rebound from Kansas forward Flory Bidunga (40) during the first half, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Allen Fieldhouse. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas forward Bryson Tiller (15) gets inside for a bucket against Houston guard Emanuel Sharp (21) during the first half, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Allen Fieldhouse. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas forward Flory Bidunga (40) dunks against Houston forward Chase McCarty (24) during the first half, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Allen Fieldhouse. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) gets inside for a bucket against Houston during the first half, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Allen Fieldhouse. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas guard Tre White (3) celebrates a turnover by Houston during the first half, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Allen Fieldhouse. Photo by Nick Krug