Big 12 Basketball Schedule Released: Iowa State Faces Houston in Key Showdown
The Big 12 released its full conference schedule for the 2026-27 season on Thursday, and Iowa State fans have a marquee matchup circled on their calendars. The Cyclones will travel to Houston to face the Cougars on Jan. 13 in what promises to be a pivotal game for the conference title race.
Iowa State enters the season with high expectations after reaching the NCAA Tournament in 2026. The Cyclones are ranked in Gary Parrish's Top 25 and 1 alongside Arizona, Houston and BYU, and the conference is eyeing at least 10 NCAA Tournament bids in 2027 with the Big Dance expanding to 76 teams.
Iowa State vs. Houston: A Rivalry Built on Fireworks
Since Houston joined the Big 12 in 2023, Iowa State holds a 3-2 record against the Cougars, including a home win this past season. The Jan. 13 matchup at the Fertitta Center in Houston will be a test of the Cyclones' championship credentials.
Iowa State's roster will look different this season after star forward Milan Momcilovic, the best 3-point shooter in college basketball, transferred to Kentucky. The Cyclones will also be without ace defender Killyan Toure until the new year after shoulder surgery.
There is good news for Iowa State fans: Tamin Lipsey, one of the best defenders in college basketball, is seeking an injunction to return for a fifth season. His potential return would be a massive boost for a team looking to make a deep tournament run.
Arizona Leads the Pack as Conference Favorite
Arizona enters the season as the favorite to win the Big 12. The Wildcats reached the Final Four for the first time since 2001 and are led by star big man Motiejus Krivas, wing Ivan Kharchenkov and incoming five-star recruit Caleb Holt.
Head coach Tommy Lloyd signed an extension after turning down the North Carolina job during Final Four week, providing stability for a program on the rise. Arizona will face Texas Tech on Jan. 22 in Lubbock in what could be one of the top conference games of the year.
Texas Tech and Houston Pose Serious Threats
Texas Tech remains a top contender, especially if Darrion Williams and Donovan Atwell are ruled eligible in pending five-for-five lawsuits. Star forward JT Toppin is still recovering from a torn ACL suffered last season, but when healthy, he looks like a first-team All-American.
Houston won the Big 12 regular season title in 2024 and 2025 during its first two seasons in the league. The Cougars are led by big man Joseph Tugler, one of the best defenders in the sport, and have added key transfers including Dedan Thomas Jr. from LSU and Corey Hadnot II from Purdue Fort Wayne.
Kansas vs. BYU Highlights Star Power Matchups
Kansas will face BYU on Jan. 9 at the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah. While last season's matchup featured future top-two NBA Draft picks AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson, this year's game will showcase Kansas freshman Tyran Stokes, the consensus top-ranked prospect in the 2027 NBA Draft, against BYU wing Bruce Branch III, a potential top-10 pick.
BYU vs. Arizona: A Home-and-Home to Watch
BYU and Arizona will meet twice this season, on Jan. 12 and Feb. 22. Last year, Arizona swept the season series, including a road win after BYU nearly pulled off a 19-point comeback. This year's games could feature as many as four first-round NBA Draft picks, including Krivas, Kharchenkov, Branch and Holt.
Key Big 12 Games for Iowa Fans
For Iowa State fans, the Jan. 13 showdown at Houston is the headliner, but the Cyclones' full conference schedule will be announced in full detail as the season approaches. The Big 12 remains one of the deepest conferences in college basketball, and Iowa State is positioned to compete at the highest level.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Iowa State play Houston in Big 12 play?
Iowa State travels to Houston on Jan. 13 to face the Cougars at the Fertitta Center.
Who is the favorite to win the Big 12 in 2026-27?
Arizona enters the season as the favorite after reaching the Final Four last year and returning key players like Motiejus Krivas and Caleb Holt.
How many Big 12 teams could make the NCAA Tournament in 2027?
The conference is eyeing at least 10 NCAA Tournament bids in 2027, with eight teams reaching the tournament in 2026.