Convenience Big Store: Perfect no more: Second-ranked UH upset at Iowa State

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Today's starting lineup

The Big 12 was supposed to be a step up in weight class for UH basketball. The Cougars learned why Tuesday night. A slow start and lots of miscues doomed the previously perfect No. 2 Cougars in a loss at Iowa State, leaving the nation with no unbeaten teams.

Days away from their first playoff game in four years, palace intrigue surrounds the Texans as owner Janice McNair's other son Cary has asked a court to have her declared incapacitated and appoint her a guardian. On the field, the Texans' rush defense was terrible last weekend after being so good all year. Controlling the ground attack will be a key against the Browns. Jonathan Greenard and Will Anderson Jr. miss practice. Also, a look at the history made by DeMeco Ryans and C.J. Stroud in their first season together.

The Rockets continue their road trip tonight in Chicago against the improving Bulls.

After winning a championship in Houston, Michigan can take a lesson from the Astros on how to handle controversy, writes Mike Finger. Two Smiths with Texas A&M and Dallas Cowboys ties, one old and one new, have made headlines this week.

Stat of the day: 3. Times in the past 40 years that the nation's No. 1 and No. 2 men's basketball teams lost to unranked opponents on the same day, as Purdue and UH did Tuesday, per ESPN.

Greg Rajan, Texas Sports Nation editor

greg.rajan@houstonchronicle.com

College Basketball

Iowa State forward Hason Ward (24) celebrates between Houston forward Joseph Tugler (25) and guard L.J. Cryer (4) after making a basket during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Photo by: Charlie Neibergall, Associated Press

Perfect no more

A slow start and multitude of miscues doomed second-ranked UH as the Cougars suffered their first loss Tuesday at Iowa State.

Texas 74, Cincinnati 73: Dylan Disu scored a career-high 33 points and Max Abmas hit a go-ahead jumper with eight seconds remaining to help No. 25 Texas beat Cincinnati.
Auburn 66, Texas A&M 55: Jaylin Williams scored 22 points and No. 16 Auburn didn't give up a field goal in the final nine minutes to defeat Texas A&M.
Baylor 81, BYU 72: Jalen Bridges scored 17 of his 25 points after halftime as 14th-ranked Baylor rallied from a nine-point deficit to beat No. 18 BYU.
Texas Tech 90, Oklahoma State 73: Pop Isaacs scored 24 points to lead five in double figures as Texas Tech rolled past Oklahoma State for its eighth straight win.
Filling in nicely: Freshman Madison Booker makes the move from forward to point guard to keep the Texas women's season running after Rori Harmon was lost for the year.

Texans / NFL

Houston Texans co-founder Janice McNair sits on the sidelines with her daughter-in-law, Hannah McNair, before an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, in Houston.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer

Family squabble

An off-field Texans drama is taking place as one of owner Janice McNair's sons has asked a Harris County probate court to declare her incapacitated and appoint her a guardian.

Ground game looms large: With an injury-riddled defensive line, the Texans will look to continue to contain the run in their playoff game against the Browns.
Practice report: Nine players sit out practice on the first day of preparation for the playoff opener against the Browns.
First-year phenoms: The Texans' DeMeco Ryans and C.J. Stroud did something unprecedented in NFL history in their first season together.
Bucking the odds: A Texans-Cowboys Super Bowl is a long shot, but oddsmakers deem several other combinations to be more unlikely.

Rockets / NBA

Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) and Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) go after a rebound during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Photo by: Marta Lavandier/Associated Press

What to watch for

While the Rockets continue to struggle on the road, the Bulls are trending upward of late entering tonight's game in Chicago.

College Football

Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh holds up the championship trophy after defeating Washington 34-13 during the national championship NCAA College Football Playoff game at NRG Stadium, Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Houston.

Photo by: Karen Warren, Staff Photographer

A local lesson

With a national championship in hand, Michigan can take a lesson from the Astros when it comes to the court of public opinion, writes Mike Finger.

Keeping up with the Smiths: The same week that saw E.J., son of Emmitt, announce his transfer to the Aggies, former A&M great Kevin was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.

High School Basketball

Pearland's La'Niah Thornton (30) puts up a shot against North Shore in the 6A area basketball playoffs Friday, Feb. 17, 2023 at Pasadena Memorial High School.

Photo by: Kirk Sides, Staff Photographer

'Ugly win'

The Pearland girls win their 13th straight game, with defense ruling the night against Dawson.

Girls roundup: A look at Tuesday's girls basketball highlights and scores from around the Houston area.
Boys roundup: A look at Tuesday's boys basketball highlights and scores from around the Houston area.
McDonald's All American watch: The McDonald's All American Games will return to Toyota Center, with more than a dozen Houston-area players among the nominees for the showcases.