BYU and Houston face off with first Big 12 win on the line

PROVO, Utah — BYU travels to Texas to take on the Houston Cougars on Wednesday, Jan. 10, with tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m. CT at the Fertitta Center. 

The game will be broadcast live on Big 12 Now on ESPN+. Fans can also tune in to BYU Radio 107.9 FM, BYURadio.org and the BYU Radio app for play-by-play with Jason Shepherd. 

Matchup Breakdown

BYU and Houston have only met on the hardwood twice in series history with the games coming in back-to-back seasons, 1985 and 1986. The Houston Cougars won both meetings, by scores of 105-90 and 96-79, respectively.  

All-Time: BYU trails 0-2

In Provo: BYU trails 0-1

In Houston: BYU trails 0-1

At Neutral Site: N/A

BYU Cougars (10-6, 0-3 Big 12)

CLOSING IN ON HISTORY: Through 16 games, Gustin leads the nation in total rebounds (252), rebounding average (15.8), defensive rebounds per game (10.8) and double-doubles (14) and is 4th in offensive rebounds per contest (4.9). The senior sits at 1,442 career rebounds and is 41 rebounds away from breaking the all-time BYU rebounding record held by Gunn (1,482). She is also scoring 16.2 points per contest on 53 percent shooting from the field.

THREE-POINT MARKSMAN: Kailey Woolston has burst on the scene in her first 15 games, being named the Big 12 Freshman of the Week twice (Nov. 20 & 27). Woolston is 1st in the conference, 5th nationally in 3-point percentage at 50 percent, 2nd in the conference and 8th nationally in 3-point field goals made (46) and 3rd in the conference, 24th nationally in three-pointers per game (2.88).

SHARING THE ROCK: The Cougars have assisted on 265 of 407 (.651) made field goals this season and have had at least three or more players score in double figures in 13 of the first 16 contests. 

TURNOVER TROUBLE: Coach Whiting has made it clear that ball security is key to the Cougars’ success, however, her squad averages 17.3 turnovers per game so far this season. BYU has turned the ball over more than its opponent in all but one game this season and holds a 21-21 record when posting a negative turnover margin.

Head Coach – Amber Whiting

• Alma Mater: BYU, 2001
• Division I Career Record: 26-22 (2^nd Season)
• Record at BYU:  26-22 (2^nd Season)

Houston (9-5, 0-3 Big 12 Conference)

“YOU BLITZ ALL NIGHT”: The Cougars are one of the few teams in college basketball that use a full-court press for all 40 minutes. Due to their high-energy pressure, Houston has 10 players that have appeared in all 14 games and average 10 or more minutes per game. As a team, the Cougars force their opponents into 23.6 turnovers per game, the 8th-highest mark in Division I college basketball and 2nd in the Big 12.

LAILA BLAIR: Blair is the leading scorer for the Houston Cougars at 15.5 points per game on 39.8 percent shooting from the floor. The floor general also tallies 4.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.3 steals per contest. The hometown senior guard was a 2023 American Athletic Conference First Team All-Conference selection and two-time AAC Player of the Week last season. 

REBOUNDING BY COMMITTEE: The Cougars don’t have a prolific rebounder with their leading rebounder only grabbing 4.8 boards per game. However, Houston has seven players that average at least three rebounds per game and 10 that record at least 2.5 per contest.

THE 3-POINT BATTLE: The BYU Cougars are the 13th-best three-point shooting team in the country, but the Houston Cougars hold their opponents to 29 percent from behind the loop. On the other bench, BYU has four players who shoot over 33 percent from three and two that are over 50 percent from downtown.

FIRST BIG 12 WIN ON THE LINE: No matter who wins the battle of the Cougars on Wednesday, the victor will gain its first win as a member of the Big 12 Conference.

Head Coach – Ronald Hughey

• Alma Mater: Limestone, 2006
• Division I Career Record: 130-159 (10th Season)
• Record at Houston: 130-159 (10th Season)