Feb 24, 2026
3 min read
Monday night's Big 12 battle between Houston and Kansas will affect a bracket that matters to both.
Bracketology: Houston's Monday night clash at Kansas is crucial to the Cougars' hopes for the No. 1 seed.
The Big 12 battle between Houston and Kansas has important implications for both on Monday night.
Houston's bid to play in the NCAA Southeastern Conference Tournament, which ends in Houston at the Toyota Center, could be greatly affected by what the Cougars do Monday night in Allen Fieldhouse.It will be the site of the Big 12 Tournament between Kansas and Houston that will have a significant impact on both.
Both suffered losses at home on Saturday that derailed their Big 12 championship hopes, but both still have a lot to play for with Selection Sunday less than three weeks away.For the Cougars, the road to potential Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games in their city could be uphill.
Achieving position to put the committee in the South bracket would likely require one of two things for the Cougars: 1) Houston is No. 4.1;or 2) someone other than Iowa State is the fourth seed.1.With other No. 1 seeds Duke (East), Michigan (Midwest) and Arizona (West) likely to favor regionals, securing a fourth No. 1 seed is the Cougars' most promising path to play in the South.
Landing as the No. 1 seed.2 is a possible fall result as UConn remains the No. 4 seed.If the Cyclones — or any Big 12 school — finish as the No.
More on tonight's action in a moment.But first, here's a look at how the seeding hierarchy looks going into the last week of February.
Bracketology Top Somen
Check out the entire field of 68 on CBS Sports Bracketology.
What's in store for Kansas
Kansas has lost two of its last three games, and those losses came by a combined margin of 34 points. Saturday's 84-68 home loss against Cincinnati was the Jayhawks' first home loss by 10+ points against an unranked team since 1993. There is no guarantee that another loss - especially against a quality foe like Houston - will immediately result in a No. 3 drop for Kansas, but it will undoubtedly jeopardize the No. 4 seed.3 is a best case scenariofor the Jayhawks - even if they had to rally and finish strong.
What's at stake in Louisville?
If you go to scalpel louisville resumes, what you will notice is that the Cardinals have a solid 7-7 Quad 1 record but 0-5 in the golden "Quad 1A" state.A road win against North Carolina will change that.The Cardinals get a chance Monday night in an ACC matchup at the Tar Heels.A win will optimize their long-term trajectory and potentially lead to a return to The line to be No. 5 in CBS Sports Bracketology.With high-caliber road games against Clemson and Miami also nearing the end of the regular season, the Cardinals also have a chance to finish and shake things up with the No. 1 seed.
