Arizona State Heads to Houston for Big 12 Showdown Against Red-Hot Cougars
The Arizona State Sun Devils are walking into the fire this Sunday when they visit the Fertitta Center to take on the No. 7-ranked Houston Cougars. It’s the final matchup on the Big 12 weekend slate, and it pits a team still trying to find its footing against one that’s looked every bit like a national title threat through the first half of the season.
Let’s start with Arizona State. Bobby Hurley’s squad is 10-7 overall and just 1-3 in Big 12 play, part of a crowded middle tier in the conference standings alongside the likes of Oklahoma State, Baylor, TCU, and Cincinnati.
Only Kansas State and Utah sit below that group. The Sun Devils have dropped five of their last six games, and while they’ve shown flashes of potential, consistency has been elusive.
Their most recent outing? A tough 89-82 loss to in-state rival Arizona.
That one stung-not just because of the rivalry, but because Arizona State went into halftime tied before letting things slip away in the second half. Their only win in that six-game stretch came at home against Kansas State.
The other losses include a road trip to UCLA and conference defeats to Colorado and BYU.
So yes, it’s been a grind for the Sun Devils. And now they’re heading into one of the most hostile environments in the Big 12 to face a Houston team that’s been steamrolling its way through the season.
The Cougars, under Kelvin Sampson, are once again looking like a team built for March. At 16-1 overall and 4-0 in conference play, Houston has been dominant.
Their only loss came against Tennessee, and since then, they’ve rattled off 10 straight wins. That stretch includes a 29-point demolition of West Virginia at home, plus key conference victories over Cincinnati, Texas Tech, and Baylor.
Houston’s identity hasn’t changed. Sampson’s teams are known for their suffocating defense, relentless rebounding, and physicality that wears opponents down over 40 minutes.
That formula has worked to perfection this season. They don’t just win-they grind teams into submission.
Projected Starting Lineups
For Arizona State, Maurice Odom leads the way with 16.8 points per game, followed by Massamba Diop at 14.7. Anthony Johnson adds another scoring punch at 14.3 per game. Santiago Trouet and Allen Mukeba round out a starting five that has talent, but has struggled to string together complete games against top-tier opponents.
Houston counters with a balanced and dangerous lineup. Emanuel Sharp (15.9 PPG) and Kingston Flemings (15.4 PPG) are the primary scoring threats, while Milos Uzan adds 11.3 points and steady backcourt play. Chris Cenac Jr. and Joseph Tugler bring length, energy, and versatility to the frontcourt.
Game Outlook
This is a tall task for Arizona State. Coming off an emotional rivalry game, they now face one of the most physical, disciplined teams in the country-on the road. The Sun Devils have shown they can hang for stretches, but sustaining that level of play for a full 40 minutes has been the challenge.
Houston, meanwhile, knows exactly who it is. They defend, they rebound, and they wear you down. That’s been the blueprint for their 10-game winning streak and their rise to the top of the Big 12 standings.
Arizona State has the individual talent to make things interesting early. But if the Cougars do what they’ve done all season-control the tempo, dominate the glass, and turn defense into offense-this one could tilt heavily in Houston’s favor as the game wears on.
When and Where
- Date: Sunday
- Time: 5:30 p.m. CT
- Location: Fertitta Center, Houston, TX
Series History
- Houston leads the all-time series 1-0.
- Last meeting: Houston defeated Arizona State 80-65 on February 18, 2025.
This one has all the ingredients of a classic Big 12 clash: a desperate team looking to turn the corner, and a powerhouse looking to keep its foot on the gas. For Arizona State, it’s a chance to prove they can compete with the best. For Houston, it’s another opportunity to show why they belong in the national championship conversation.