Houston Basketball's Quest for an Eighth Straight NCAA Tournament Bid and a Big 12 Three-Peat
Houston Cougars are dominating the college basketball scene, and it's all thanks to the visionary leadership of Kelvin Sampson. Since joining the Big 12, the Cougars have set a new standard of excellence, winning the league title in their first two seasons.
In their inaugural Big 12 campaign, Houston went 32-5 overall and 15-3 in conference play, claiming the outright championship. Last season, they achieved one of the most successful years in program history, winning both the regular season and tournament titles before advancing to the NCAA championship game as a No. 1 seed.
Now, the Cougars are gearing up for the 2025-26 season with two major goals: a third straight Big 12 crown and an eighth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.
Sustained Success and a Culture of Winning
Since 2018, Houston has earned a spot in every NCAA Tournament except for the canceled 2020 season. Even more impressive, they've won at least one game in every trip and multiple games in six straight tournaments. Over that stretch, the Cougars have totaled 17 NCAA Tournament victories, including six straight Sweet 16s, three Elite Eight appearances, and two Final Fours.
Under Sampson's leadership, Houston has gone 299-84 heading into his 13th season at the helm. The Cougars have also reached the 20-win mark in ten straight seasons, a testament to their consistency and championship-level expectations.
The 2025-26 roster is deep, talented, and built to withstand the challenges of a rugged Big 12 schedule. Houston opens the new season at the Fertitta Center on November 3 against Lehigh before facing its first major test on November 16 in Birmingham against Auburn.
Their non-conference slate also includes Syracuse, Tennessee, Florida State, and Arkansas, a strong tune-up for Big 12 play. The Cougars will tip off their conference schedule on January 3 against Cincinnati, a fitting start for a team once again expected to be among the nation's best.
Houston's mix of experience, defense, and discipline has them poised not just to extend their tournament streak to eight, but to make another serious run at the national title that narrowly escaped them last season.
