Date: Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026
Tipoff: 8 p.m CST
Location: Gallagher-Iba Arena, Stillwater, Oklahoma
TV: Peacock.
Betting Line: Kansas -6.5 (FanDuel)
Vitals
No. 8 Kansas men's basketball will try to steady itself Wednesday night when it travels to Stillwater to face Oklahoma State at Gallagher-Iba Arena in an 8 p.m. CST tip on Peacock.
The Jayhawks (19-6, 9-3 Big 12) saw their eight-game winning streak end Saturday in a 74-56 loss at No. 5 Iowa State. After knocking off then-No. 1 Arizona earlier in the week, Kansas struggled in nearly every phase against the Cyclones, shooting just 37 percent from the field with only seven assists and 13 turnovers. Kansas made 80 percent of its free throws but never found an offensive rhythm.
“Speed," Self said about the Cowboys. "Their guards are good and fast. Their players are quick and athletic. They’re really good at getting downhill and making plays when nothing’s there.”
Melvin Council Jr. led Kansas with 15 points in the loss, while Flory Bidunga added 11 and Darryn Peterson finished with a career-low 10. Peterson, who logged 24 minutes as he works back from a recent illness, averages 19.8 points per game and shoots 41.3 percent from 3-point range. Bidunga is scoring 14.8 points per game on 67 percent shooting.
Kansas coach Bill Self returns to his alma mater seeking a response from his group. The Jayhawks have historically faced stiff challenges in Stillwater, and another conference loss would further complicate their Big 12 title hopes.
“I liked where we were four days ago more than two days ago," Self said on Monday. "But we can become tougher. We can be more consistent defensively. We can understand more about winning away from home. We can be more fluid offensively. We had 12 turnovers, 10 in the first half, and that hurt us. They also made some tough shots late in the clock. We can get better in all facets. I don’t think we’re where we need to be yet in any area.”
Oklahoma State (16-9, 4-8) enters on a three-game skid but remains dangerous at home. The Cowboys pushed TCU to a 90-point shootout in a two-point loss Saturday and earlier defeated then-No. 16 BYU in Stillwater.
Senior guard Anthony Roy leads OSU with 17.6 points per game while shooting 42.3 percent from deep. Forward Parsa Fallah adds 14.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per contest.
According to KenPom, Kansas ranks 15th nationally with the ninth-most efficient defense, while Oklahoma State ranks 63rd overall and plays at the 10th-fastest adjusted tempo in the country.
For Kansas, tightening up defensively and rediscovering offensive flow will be key to leaving Stillwater with a needed road win.
Projected Starting Lineups
Kansas Jayhawks
Flory Bidunga
Tre White
Melvin Council Jr.
Bryson Tiller
Darryn Peterson
Oklahoma State Cowboys
Parsa Fallah
Christian Coleman
Anthony Roy
Vyctorius Miller
Kanye Clary
Injury Report:
