After snapping a four-game skid with back-to-back wins over Oklahoma State and bitter rival Baylor, TCU men’s basketball is finding its rhythm again. But the next test on the schedule is a big one-literally and figuratively.
The Horned Frogs (13-7, 3-4 Big 12) welcome No. 10 Houston (17-2, 5-1) to Fort Worth on Wednesday night, and this matchup has major implications.
For TCU, it’s a shot at a marquee win that could bolster its NCAA Tournament resume. For Houston, it’s about staying in the thick of the Big 12 title chase alongside Arizona, Texas Tech, and BYU.
Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2, and the stakes couldn’t be much higher.
Houston has been a near-impossible out since joining the Big 12-dropping just five conference games since the start of the 2023-24 season. But if there’s one team that’s shown it can crack the code, it’s TCU.
The Frogs stunned the Cougars in Houston last January, stealing a 68-67 win on a last-second bucket from Emanuel Miller. If TCU wants to repeat that magic, they’ll likely need another dose of late-game heroics. And they’ll have to do it against one of the nation’s stingiest defenses and a roster that blends top-tier freshmen with seasoned veterans.
Here’s what to keep an eye on as these two collide:
1. Houston’s Freshman Firepower
Historically, Houston hasn’t been a hotbed for one-and-done talent. But this year, they’ve got not one, but two freshmen who are already turning heads-and likely turning scouts’ heads, too.
Leading the charge is Kingston Flemings, a dynamic point guard who’s coming off a 42-point, six-assist explosion in a narrow loss to Texas Tech. That wasn’t just a hot night-it was a statement. Flemings is averaging 17.0 points and 5.4 assists per game, and he’s the engine that makes this Houston offense go.
He’s in elite company, too. Flemings belongs in the same conversation as BYU’s A.J.
Dybantsa, Kansas’ Darryn Peterson, and Arizona’s Koa Peat-first-round-caliber guys who’ve already given TCU trouble this season. The Frogs are 0-3 against that trio, and Flemings presents a similar challenge with his ability to control tempo, create off the dribble, and score at all three levels.
Then there’s Chris Cenac, a 6-foot-11 center with serious upside. A top-10 recruit in the 2025 class, Cenac has already carved out a starting role and is averaging 9.2 points and a team-best 7.6 rebounds. He’s long, athletic, and has the kind of presence that could give TCU’s undersized frontcourt fits.
If Flemings and Cenac get rolling early, it could be a long night for the Frogs.
2. Veteran Backbone Still Driving Houston
While the freshmen are grabbing the headlines, Houston’s foundation is still built on experience-and that balance is what makes the Cougars so dangerous.
Senior guard Emanuel Sharp is having a breakout year, averaging 16.1 points and shooting 38.5% from beyond the arc. He’s a prime example of Houston’s player development pipeline.
Just two seasons ago, he was averaging under six points a game. Now, he’s one of the most reliable scorers in the Big 12.
Milos Uzan has also emerged as a key piece in the backcourt. The senior guard complements Flemings well, serving as a steady secondary ball handler while contributing 11.3 points and 3.9 assists per game. He’s not flashy, but he’s efficient-and that’s exactly what you want in a veteran guard.
And don’t overlook Joseph Tugler. The 6-foot-8 junior forward is putting up career highs across the board with 8.4 points and 5.9 rebounds.
He brings the kind of physicality and toughness that’s become synonymous with Houston basketball. Tugler doesn’t need the spotlight-he just does the dirty work and makes winning plays.
This blend of youth and experience is what sets Houston apart. They’ve got future NBA talent and battle-tested veterans who know what it takes to win deep into March.
3. Defense Still the Calling Card
If you’ve watched a Kelvin Sampson-coached team over the years, you know what’s coming-relentless, suffocating defense. And once again, Houston is among the nation’s elite on that end of the floor.
The Cougars rank third nationally in scoring defense, holding opponents to just 61.6 points per game. Their defensive rating is top-15, and getting to 70 against them is a rare feat. Only six teams have managed it this season-and one of those, Arizona State, still lost by 30.
Houston’s defense is built around discipline, communication, and physicality. They contest everything, rotate seamlessly, and rarely give up second chances. But here’s the twist: they’re coming off their worst defensive performance of the season, surrendering 90 points in a loss to Texas Tech.
That’s not something Sampson will take lightly.
Expect Houston to come out locked in and looking to make a statement. TCU’s offense will need to be sharp, decisive, and willing to grind for every bucket. Points won’t come easy, and if the Frogs fall into scoring droughts, Houston has the firepower to capitalize.
Bottom Line
This is a measuring-stick game for TCU. They’ve shown flashes of what they can be when everything clicks-just ask Baylor.
But Houston is a different kind of challenge. Between Flemings’ star power, a rock-solid veteran core, and an elite defense that rarely has off nights, the Cougars are a top-10 team for a reason.
Still, TCU knows what it takes to beat them. They’ve done it before. Now, we’ll see if lightning can strike twice in Fort Worth.