TALE OF THE TAPE
Houston puts 11-game win streak on the line in clash with Kansas
Jan 24, 2025, 11:14 am
Kansas hosts the Coogs this Saturday! Photo by David Becker/Getty Images.
No. 7 Houston Cougars (15-3, 7-0 Big 12) at No. 12 Kansas Jayhawks (14-4, 5-2 Big 12)
Where: Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence, Kansas
When: Saturday, 6:30 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE
The Houston Cougars look to extend their impressive 11-game win streak as they visit the Kansas Jayhawks in a marquee Big 12 showdown. Houston, sitting undefeated in conference play, will face one of their toughest tests of the season against a Kansas team that’s nearly unbeatable at home.
SCOUTING THE JAYHAWKS
Kansas comes into the game with a 9-1 record at Allen Fieldhouse, where their stifling defense has been a major factor. The Jayhawks rank third in the Big 12 in scoring defense, holding opponents to just 63.3 points per game and an icy 37.6% shooting from the field. Offensively, Kansas leans on big man Hunter Dickinson, who is averaging 16.8 points and shooting 52.5% over his last 10 games. Zeke Mayo provides a dangerous perimeter threat, connecting on 37.7% of his three-point attempts while contributing 14.9 points per game.
COUGARS ON A ROLL
Houston’s defense has been its calling card all season, and it’s been a nightmare for opponents. Offensively, LJ Cryer has been a consistent force for Houston, averaging 13.8 points per game, while Emanuel Sharp has stepped up recently, scoring 11.7 points per game on 46.7% shooting over his last 10 outings. The Cougars' balanced attack and ability to lock down opponents have made them one of the most feared teams in the Big 12.
KEY MATCHUP
The battle inside will be pivotal, with Houston’s defense aiming to neutralize Dickinson, Kansas' dominant post presence. Kansas’ ability to shoot 48.2% from the field—12.9 percentage points better than Houston allows—will be tested against the Cougars' elite defensive unit. Conversely, Houston’s offense must find ways to crack Kansas’ disciplined defense, which has limited opponents to 37.6% shooting.
WHAT TO WATCH
This game marks the first meeting between the two teams in conference play and promises to be a tightly contested battle between two of the Big 12’s best. Kansas will look to protect its home court, while Houston aims to prove its dominance on the road and stay unbeaten in the conference.
PREDICTION
Both teams are elite on defense, but Houston’s ability to force opponents into tough shots and capitalize on turnovers could give them a slight edge. If the Cougars can control the tempo and keep Dickinson in check, they could leave Allen Fieldhouse with a signature win. Expect a hard-fought contest that may come down to the final possession.
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Cam Smith hit a three-run homer in his first game against the Cubs since being traded to Houston and Brandon Walter threw six solid innings in his first MLB victory as the Astros beat Chicago 7-4 on Friday night.
THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER.#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/xZ9dvfZYTs
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Yainer Diaz added a three-run homer as AL West-leading Houston extended its winning streak to five games.
3-run Yainer Bomb!#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/4zku17xsR0
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 28, 2025
The Astros scored four runs in the third off Cubs starter Cade Horton (3-2), with Jose Altuve scoring on a sacrifice fly by Victor Caratini before Diaz capped the inning with his 377-foot shot to left-center.
Smith, a first-round draft selection by Chicago last year was acquired by the Astros in the offseason as part of the deal for Kyle Tucker, extended Houston’s lead to 7-0 in the fourth with his home run off the left field façade, his sixth of the season. Smith had two hits and scored two runs.
Walter (1-1), a 28-year-old left-hander, allowed one run on four hits with five strikeouts. Josh Hader got the final out for his 22nd save.
Jeremy Peña exited in the fifth with left rib soreness. He was hit by a pitch in his left side in the second. There was no immediate word on the extent of his injury.
Nico Hoerner hit a solo home run in the fifth, and Matt Shaw added a two-run double in the seventh and an RBI double in the ninth for NL Central-leading Chicago.
Horton allowed seven runs on eight hits with four walks in four innings.
Tucker was hitless in his return to Houston. He kept the game scoreless in the first, throwing Isaac Paredes out at the plate to end the frame.
Key moment
Hader inducing a lineout to center by Ian Happ to end it with Tucker, representing the tying run, on deck.
Key stat
Houston has its second five-game winning streak for the month of June, and improved to an MLB-best 18-6 this month.
Up next
Cubs RHP Colin Rea (4-3, 4.42 ERA) starts the second game of the three-game series Saturday. Houston has not named a starter.