Iowa State Beats No. 2 Houston in Close Game

Key Takeaways

• Iowa State secured a significant victory over No. 2 Houston, overcoming a 10-point deficit.

• The game featured strong defensive play from both teams, a characteristic of Big 12 matchups.

• The win adds to Iowa State's impressive home record and bolsters their standing in the Big 12 Conference.

Game Overview

On Monday, February 16, 2026, No. 6 Iowa State hosted No. 2 Houston at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa. The highly anticipated Big 12 Conference matchup saw the Cyclones rally from a substantial deficit to defeat the Cougars. This victory is notable given Houston's standing as the nation's second-ranked team and their prior impressive season record. The game was a testament to Iowa State's resilience and their ability to perform under pressure, especially in front of their home crowd.

The Matchup: Ranked Teams Clash

The contest between No. 2 Houston and No. 6 Iowa State was a pivotal Big 12 Conference game, held at Hilton Coliseum, Iowa State's home venue with a capacity of 14,267. This was not the first time these two teams have met, with previous encounters also proving to be close contests. Both teams entered the game with strong conference records, highlighting the high stakes involved in determining the Big 12 hierarchy and influencing national rankings.

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• Houston: Entered the game with a 23-2 overall record and an 11-1 Big 12 record. They were ranked No. 2 nationally.

• Iowa State: Entered the game with a 22-3 overall record and a 9-3 Big 12 record. They were ranked No. 6 nationally.

• Coaching: Houston was coached by Kelvin Sampson, the second-winningest coach in Houston history. Iowa State was coached by Otzelberger, who has a history of taking teams to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen.

Game Progression and Key Moments

The game saw a dynamic shift in momentum, with Houston initially holding a significant lead before Iowa State mounted a comeback.

• Early Stages: Reports indicate Houston held a 10-point lead at one point, with live updates showing Houston leading 26-21 and later 60-53. The Cougars had a notable scoring run, turning a one-point lead into a 14-point advantage against Kansas State in a prior game, indicating their capacity for quick bursts.

• Iowa State's Rally: The Cyclones demonstrated their ability to fight back. Despite being down by 10 points, Iowa State managed to close the gap.

• Clutch Plays: Key moments included Flemings hitting a crucial three-pointer that momentarily put Iowa State up 47-45, and later making another triple that narrowed a 10-point deficit to five.

Statistical Snapshots and Player Performances

While a comprehensive box score for the specific February 16, 2026 game was not fully detailed, available information and game highlights provide insight into player contributions and scoring trends.

• Scoring:

• Iowa State's Milan Momcilovic is noted as a key offensive player, averaging 18.4 points per game.

• Houston's Emanuel Sharp is a leading scorer for his team, averaging 16.6 points per game.

• Kingston Flemings of Houston was observed making several key shots, including three-pointers that impacted the score.

• Joshua Jefferson and Tamin Lipsey were also highlighted for their contributions to Iowa State.

• Turnovers: In a previous matchup (March 19, 2024), Iowa State scored 15 points off 12 turnovers against Houston, a significant number for a Houston team that averages fewer turnovers.

• Defensive Intensity: Both teams are known for their strong defense, with Iowa State having an undefeated home record and Houston having held opponents scoreless for extended periods in past games.

Analysis of Key Matchup Factors

The contest was characterized by several factors that influenced the outcome, including home-court advantage, defensive schemes, and individual player impact.

Home Court Advantage for Iowa State

Iowa State has a formidable record at Hilton Coliseum. They have historically "not lost at home", making their venue a difficult environment for visiting teams. This strong home-court presence likely played a role in their ability to rally from behind.

Defensive Prowess

Both Houston and Iowa State are recognized for their defensive capabilities. Reports emphasize that "defense to be front and center" in their matchups. This suggests a game where scoring opportunities were hard-earned, and every possession was critical.

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Offensive X-Factors

• Milan Momcilovic: Is identified as an "ultimate X-factor" for Iowa State, indicating his potential to influence the game's outcome through his scoring ability.

• Kingston Flemings: His performance, particularly his clutch shooting, suggests he can be a significant contributor for Houston, capable of shifting momentum.

Expert and Betting Perspectives

The matchup drew considerable attention from analysts and betting markets, with predictions leaning towards a close contest.

• Betting Lines:

• Iowa State was often listed as a small home favorite, with spreads around Iowa State -2.0 to -2.5.

• Moneyline odds indicated a competitive game, with Iowa State favored at -150 to -152 and Houston at +124 to +126.

• Predicted Scores: Some predictions suggested a tight score, with one anticipating Iowa State 69, Houston 63.

• Analyst Sentiment: There was a view that "the betting value lies with the home favorite to cover the spread in a defensive grinder."

Conclusion and Implications

Iowa State's victory over No. 2 Houston represents a significant achievement for the program. It underscores their strength at home and their capability to compete with and defeat top-ranked teams. The win not only adds to their impressive season record but also has implications for the Big 12 Conference standings and the national college basketball landscape. The game highlighted the Cyclones' resilience in overcoming a deficit and their strong defensive performance, while also showing Houston's ability to contend even in defeat.

Sources

• Article 1: https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/no-2-houston-no-6-iowa-state-both-begin-series-of-big-12-clashes/ - Published 7 hours ago, summary provides context on the matchup and recent performance of both teams.

• Article 2: https://www.si.com/college/houston/basketball/no-2-houston-cougars-vs-no-6-iowa-state-cyclones-live-updates-box-score-01khma041816 - Published 42 minutes ago, offers live updates and scores, showing the back-and-forth nature of the game.

• Article 3: https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/game/_/gameId/401820819/houston-iowa-state - Seen on Brave, provides the final score (Iowa State 70-67 Houston) and a detailed list of game highlights and plays.

• Article 4: https://cyclones.com/news/2026/2/15/mens-basketball-primer-no-5-iowa-state-vs-no-3-houston - Seen on Brave, a game primer detailing team records, rankings, location, and coaches prior to the matchup.

• Article 5: https://www.widerightnattylite.com/iowa-state-basketball/50712/how-to-watch-or-listen-to-no-6-iowa-state-versus-no-2-houston - Published 6 hours ago, provides game details including team records, location, time, and broadcast information.

• Article 6: https://apnews.com/article/houston-iowa-state-basketball-score-2d5e0ad1d4f99d64d8011f3f1feb3e7e - Published March 19, 2024, reports on a past Iowa State victory over No. 2 Houston (57-53), highlighting key players and turnover impact.

• Article 7: https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap/_/gameId/401603483 - Seen on Brave, recaps a previous Houston victory over Iowa State (73-65 on Feb 19, 2024), noting player performances and Big 12 standings impact.

• Article 8: https://www.heavy.com/sports/houston-iowa-state-prediction-how-to-watch/ - Published 7 hours ago, offers insights into key players for both teams and game logistics.

• Article 9: https://www.sportsbettingdime.com/news/college-basketball/houston-vs-iowa-state-expert-picks-predictions-how-to-watch-feb-16/ - Published 5 hours ago, discusses expert picks, betting spreads, and player impact for the game.

• Article 10: https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2026/02/16/iowa-state-cyclones-vs-houston-cougars-prediction-pick-for-ncaam-on-monday-2-16-26/ - Published 10 hours ago, provides a prediction and betting pick for the game.

• Article 11: https://www.newsweek.com/sports/betting/best-houston-vs-iowa-state-player-prop-bets-picks-against-the-spread-11531320 - Published 6 hours ago, focuses on betting odds and ATS picks for the matchup.

• Article 12: https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/houston-iowa-state-odds-spread-prediction-time-2026-college-basketball-picks-february-16/ - Published 10 hours ago, presents odds, predictions, and picks from an advanced model.

• Article 13: https://uhcougars.com/news/2025/2/22/-5-5-mens-basketball-takes-top-10-win-over-8-8-iowa-state - Seen on Brave, recaps a past Houston win (68-59 on Feb 22, 2025) over Iowa State, detailing scores and player stats from that game.