Preview: Houston Cougars at Utah Utes SALT LAKE CITY (Interstat) — The third-ranked Houston Cougars, boasting one of the nation’s premier records, aim to continue their dominant season when they visit the struggling Utah Utes in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Tuesday night at the Jon M. Huntsman Center. Houston (21-2) arrives riding a four-game winning streak, most recently a 77-66 road victory at BYU on Saturday. The Cougars have won 10 of their last 11, with their only loss in that span a 90-86 defeat at Texas Tech on Jan. 24. Their defense has been stifling, holding opponents to an average of just 55.1 points during their current win streak. Utah (9-14) seeks to halt a five-game skid, including a 71-59 loss at Kansas on Saturday. The Utes have found consistent wins hard to come by in conference play, with their last victory an 82-79 home win over TCU on Jan. 17. A key matchup will feature Houston guard Emanuel Sharp against Utah forward Keanu Dawes. Sharp has been a reliable scorer for the Cougars, averaging 15.6 points over his last seven games, including a 23-point performance at TCU on Jan. 28. Dawes is coming off a standout double-double of 22 points and 12 rebounds in the loss at Kansas, showcasing his ability to produce against top competition. The Cougars’ balanced attack was on display at BYU, with Kingston Flemings scoring 19 points and Chris Cenac adding 16 to complement Sharp’s 14. Utah will rely on Dawes and guards Terrence Brown and Don McHenry, who combined for 50 points in the Kansas game, to generate offense against Houston’s formidable defense. Historically, Houston has leveraged its defensive pressure and efficient scoring to overwhelm opponents. Utah, playing at home, will need a significant defensive effort and efficient shooting to challenge the national powerhouse. The Utes are 7-5 at the Huntsman Center this season. The game is scheduled for a 9 p.m. EST tipoff Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. Houston’s next game is at home against Kansas State on Saturday. Utah travels to face Cincinnati on Sunday.