Kansas guard Tre White (3) and Houston guard Kingston Flemings (4) compete for a ball during the second half, Friday, March 13, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas guard Jamari McDowell (11) drives against Houston guard Emanuel Sharp (21) during the second half, Friday, March 13, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) and Kansas guard Elmarko Jackson (13) walk back to the court after a timeout during the second half, Friday, March 13, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas guard Kohl Rosario (7) pans with Houston guard Kingston Flemings (4) during the second half, Friday, March 13, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Photo by Nick Krug

Houston forward Kalifa Sakho (14) shovels a pass beyond Kansas guard Elmarko Jackson (13) as he falls to the floor during the second half, Friday, March 13, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas forward Flory Bidunga (40) gets a reverse bucket past Houston forward Joseph Tugler (11) during the second half, Friday, March 13, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas guard Tre White (3) and Houston guard Kingston Flemings (4) compete for a ball during the second half, Friday, March 13, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Photo by Nick Krug

Houston forward Chris Cenac Jr. (5) gets a put-back bucket against Kansas during the second half, Friday, March 13, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas forward Flory Bidunga (40) tries to muscle his way past Houston forward Kalifa Sakho (14) during the second half, Friday, March 13, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas guard Darryn Peterson (22) waits for the action to start during the second half, Friday, March 13, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Photo by Nick Krug

Houston forward Chris Cenac Jr. (5) pulls up for a three against Kansas forward Bryson Tiller (15) during the first half, Friday, March 13, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Photo by Nick Krug

Houston forward Chris Cenac Jr. (5) delivers a dunk before the Kansas players during the first half, Friday, March 13, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas players huddle up during the second half, Friday, March 13, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas head coach Bill Self pleads his case to an official during the second half, Friday, March 13, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas forward Flory Bidunga (40) gets tangles with Houston forward Chris Cenac Jr. (5) and Houston forward Joseph Tugler (11) while going for a loose ball during the second half, Friday, March 13, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas head coach Bill Self shows his frustration after a foul called on Kansas guard Elmarko Jackson (13) during the first half, Friday, March 13, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Photo by Nick Krug

Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson yells at Houston guard Emanuel Sharp (21) and Houston guard Kingston Flemings (4) during the first half, Friday, March 13, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas forward Flory Bidunga (40) is fouled by Houston forward Joseph Tugler (11) on his way to the bucket during the first half, Friday, March 13, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas forward Flory Bidunga (40) battles for a ball with Houston forward Chris Cenac Jr. (5) and Houston forward Joseph Tugler (11) during the first half, Friday, March 13, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) looks to drive against Houston guard Milos Uzan (7) during the first half, Friday, March 13, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas forward Bryson Tiller (15) puts up a shot as Houston forward Joseph Tugler (11) comes in for a block during the first half, Friday, March 13, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas guard Darryn Peterson (22) loses his footing after contact from Houston guard Emanuel Sharp (21) during the first half, Friday, March 13, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Photo by Nick Krug

Houston forward Joseph Tugler (11) gets up to block a shot from Kansas forward Bryson Tiller (15) during the first half, Friday, March 13, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) looks to drive against Houston guard Milos Uzan (7) during the first half, Friday, March 13, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Photo by Nick Krug