No. 8 Houston vs No. 16 BYU: Preview, Matchups, and Prediction
- Joseph Klein
- Feb 7
- 4 min read
No. 8 Houston (20-2) vs. No. 16 BYU (17-5)
Date: February 7, 2026
Location: Marriott Center, Provo, Utah
Time: 10:30 PM ET on ESPN
How do these two teams match up?
The Houston Cougars enter this matchup having won 14 of their last 15 games. Offensively, they rank 8th in the country in offensive rating according to KenPom. Houston consistently attacks the rim, ranking 1st nationally in shots attempted per game. They also rank 35th in three-point attempts per game, thanks largely to their strong three-guard rotation.
That backcourt is led by Kingston Flemings, who averages 17 points and 5.5 assists per game. Flemings can create his own shot at any time and has proven to be clutch in hostile environments. While much of his scoring comes from attacking the paint, he’s also capable of knocking down shots from beyond the arc. Guard Emmanuel Sharp adds 15.9 points per game while shooting 36.2% from three-point range. Sharp is a dangerous shooter who, when hot, can be one of the best scorers in the country. He has cooled off recently, but Houston will need him to regain his shooting form in this matchup. The third piece of Houston’s backcourt trio is Milos Uzan, who averages 11.5 points and 3.9 assists per game. Uzan provides a strong touch around the rim along with a reliable perimeter shot.
Houston’s success near the basket has also been fueled by its frontcourt, as the team ranks 3rd nationally in near-proximity shooting percentage. Joseph Tugler averages 7.9 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, while Chris Cenac Jr. contributes 9.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. Both players understand their roles and provide a strong presence in the paint.
Defense has long been Houston’s identity, and this season is no different. The Cougars rank 9th in defensive rating according to KenPom and sit inside the top 50 nationally in all major defensive field-goal categories. They rank 1st in mid-range percentage allowed and 6th in overall field-goal percentage allowed. Houston brings constant defensive pressure and will need that intensity against one of the best home offenses in the country in BYU.
The BYU Cougars enter this game at 17-5 and are currently on a three-game losing streak. The skid began with a three-point home loss to Arizona, followed by a road loss to Kansas, and, most recently, a disappointing road loss to Oklahoma State. Despite the recent struggles, BYU has lost only once at home this season, and playing in Provo has been a major advantage. Offensively, BYU ranks 11th in offensive rating according to KenPom.
BYU is led by star freshman AJ Dybantsa, who is averaging 23.9 points per game, the highest mark in college basketball, along with 6.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. Dybantsa excels in scoring inside, particularly with his fadeaway and finishing ability around the rim, but he has also shown the ability to stretch the floor, as seen in his last game, where he knocked down 5 of 8 three-point attempts. Richie Saunders is BYU’s second-leading scorer, averaging 19.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. He is coming off back-to-back performances of 20 and 33 points and does much of his damage from beyond the arc, shooting 39.6% from three on 7.2 attempts per game. The third key piece of BYU’s backcourt is Robert Wright II, who averages 17.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game. Wright is capable of scoring at all three levels and serves as the primary facilitator of BYU’s offense.
Defensively, BYU ranks 40th in defensive rating but has struggled recently against opposing guards. Over the last five games, opposing backcourts have had significant success:
Oklahoma State — Anthony Roy, 30 points
Kansas — Darryn Peterson, 18 points in the first half
Arizona — Brayden Burries (29 points) and Jaden Bradley (26 points)
Utah — Terrance Brown, 22 points
Texas Tech — Christian Anderson, 22 points
On paper, BYU does not stand out defensively and will likely need this game to turn into a high-scoring contest.
Keys for Houston to win
Keep the game low scoring. Houston’s defense gives them a clear advantage in slower, physical games. BYU has struggled in tight, defensive battles, and if Houston can control the tempo, it will be in a strong position to win.
Guard play. BYU has had difficulty defending guards recently, and Houston’s three-guard lineup is among the best in the country. If Flemings, Sharp, and Uzan produce at their normal level, Houston will have the edge.
Keys for BYU to win
Turn it into a high-scoring game. While Houston will prefer a defensive battle, BYU thrives in high-scoring matchups. Four of BYU’s five losses have come when scoring fewer than 85 points, while Houston’s last loss came when allowing 90 points. BYU needs this game played in the high 80s.
AJ Dybantsa’s performance. Simply put, BYU’s chances depend heavily on Dybantsa. Houston will make scoring difficult, but when Dybantsa struggles, BYU’s offense tends to stall. He must have a strong performance for BYU to compete.
Final thoughts
The battle of the Cougars is set in Provo, featuring two standout freshmen in AJ Dybantsa for BYU and Kingston Flemings for Houston. These teams play contrasting styles:
Houston
Defense-oriented
Physical and methodical
BYU
Fast-paced, high-powered offense
Ultimately, Houston’s defensive consistency gives them the advantage, and they appear to have the clearer path to victory in this matchup.
