Houston Sends an Early Message With Dominant Exhibition Win Over Michigan

Houston sends an early statement, taking down defending national champion Michigan 83–66 in an exhibition matchup. Led by Dedan Thomas Jr.’s 25 points, the Cougars showcased their scoring depth, defensive pressure, and ability to compete against elite competition ahead of the 2026–27 season.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Houston Cougars delivered an early statement ahead of the 2026–27 college basketball season, defeating defending national champion Michigan 83–66 in an exhibition matchup on October 25 at Van Andel Arena. Against a highly regarded opponent, Houston showed the offensive firepower, physicality and composure that have become hallmarks of head coach Kelvin Sampson’s program.

Ranked No. 10 nationally, Houston faced a Michigan team ranked as high as No. 16 in the preseason polls. The Cougars had to respond after the Wolverines erased an early double-digit deficit and briefly took control in the first half. Houston answered with a strong closing stretch before halftime and pulled away after the break, turning a competitive contest into a convincing 17-point victory.

Dedan Thomas Jr. Leads Houston’s Attack

Newcomer Dedan Thomas Jr. immediately made his presence felt, leading all scorers with 25 points in his first season with Houston after transferring from LSU. The senior point guard shot 8-of-14 from the field, converted nine free throws and distributed a game-high seven assists while adding three rebounds and two steals.

Thomas gave the Cougars a reliable offensive organizer while also showing that he could take over as a scorer when needed. His ability to create opportunities for teammates and attack the basket could prove important as Houston works to establish its identity with a revamped lineup.

Houston received significant contributions from across the roster. Delrecco Gillespie finished with 16 points and six rebounds, Chase McCarty added 15 points, and Mercy Miller contributed 13. Four Cougars reached double figures, giving Sampson several offensive options rather than relying on one player to carry the load.

Houston Responds When Michigan Takes Control

The game did not remain comfortable for the Cougars throughout the first half. Houston opened with a 24–14 advantage, but Michigan responded with a 15–1 run to take a 29–25 lead after an Oscar Goodman three-pointer.

Houston’s response was crucial. The Cougars closed the half with a 13–2 run, reclaiming control and entering the break ahead 38–31. That stretch demonstrated the team’s ability to withstand an opponent’s momentum without allowing a difficult sequence to derail the performance.

Michigan threatened again early in the second half, cutting Houston’s lead to two points at 40–38. The Cougars answered with another scoring push and gradually extended the margin, reaching a 60–44 advantage with approximately 11 minutes remaining. From there, Houston maintained enough separation to secure the win.

Defensive Pressure and Rebounding Create Separation

Houston’s performance was about more than scoring. The Cougars outrebounded Michigan 42–30, forced 11 turnovers while committing eight, and recorded eight steals. Those numbers helped Houston control the game even when Michigan found brief stretches of offensive rhythm.

The shooting comparison also favored Houston. The Cougars made 43.8% of their field-goal attempts and connected on seven of 15 three-pointers, a strong 46.7% rate. Michigan shot 34% from the field and 27.3% from beyond the arc.

Michigan’s Roddy Gayle Jr. led the Wolverines with 14 points, while center Moustapha Thiam added 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Despite those efforts, Michigan struggled to match Houston’s overall efficiency and rebounding presence.

Although the exhibition result will not count toward either team’s regular-season record, Houston’s ability to answer Michigan’s runs and dominate the glass offered encouraging signs heading into November.

What Comes Next for Houston?

Houston opens its regular season on November 2 against La Salle at the Fertitta Center. The Cougars will look to carry their balanced scoring and defensive intensity into a schedule that will bring the challenges of Big 12 play.

The exhibition victory also gave Houston an opportunity to evaluate how its new pieces fit together against an opponent with championship experience. Thomas’ performance, the contributions from three additional double-digit scorers and the team’s work on the boards all provide reasons for optimism.

One exhibition cannot guarantee regular-season success, but Houston showed that it has the depth and execution to compete against elite competition. The next step is turning that promise into consistent performance when the games begin to count.

Final Score: No. 10 Houston 83, No. 16 Michigan 66 — Exhibition, October 25, 2026.