The Kansas Jayhawks are out of the Big 12 Tournament and at the mercy of the NCAA Tournament schedule-makers.
In a stunning blowout Friday night, KU fumbled its conference tournament semifinal against the Houston Cougars, losing 69-47.
The Jayhawks even went eight minutes without scoring to open the second half, missing 16 shots in a row.
Freshman star Darryn Peterson led KU Friday with 14 points (3-for-11 shooting), plus four rebounds. Houston’s Kingston Flemings scored a team-best 21 points with four rebounds.
Star photographer Tammy Ljungblad was there to capture all the action, courtside. Here’s what she saw.
Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson (22) slams a dunk in the first half as Houston Cougars guard Emanuel Sharp (21) looks on at the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Friday, March 13, 2026, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com 
Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson (22) can’t get a shot off as the Houston Cougars defend in the first half at the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Friday, March 13, 2026, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com 
Kansas Jayhawks guard Jamari McDowell (11) shoots a 3-pointer as Houston Cougars center Chris Cenac Jr. (5) defends in the second half at the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Friday, March 13, 2026, in Kansas City. Houston defeated Kansas, 69-47. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com 
Kansas Jayhawks guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) gets a shot off as Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) defends in the first half at the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Friday, March 13, 2026, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com 
Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson (22) defends as Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) shoots in the first half at the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Friday, March 13, 2026, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com 
Kansas Jayhawks forward Flory Bidunga (40) tries to grab the ball as Houston Cougars center Chris Cenac Jr. (5) and Houston Cougars guard Emanuel Sharp (21) defend in the first half at the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Friday, March 13, 2026, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com 
Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) goes for the rim as Kansas Jayhawks forward Flory Bidunga (40) looks on during the second half at the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Friday, March 13, 2026, in Kansas City. Houston defeated Kansas, 69-47. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com 
Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson (22) handles the ball as Houston Cougars guard Emanuel Sharp (21) defends in the second half at the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Friday, March 13, 2026, in Kansas City. Houston defeated Kansas, 69-47. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com 
Arizona Wildcats forward Sidi Gueye (15) goes for a layup as Kansas Jayhawks forward Flory Bidunga (40), guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) and others look on in the second half at the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Friday, March 13, 2026, in Kansas City. Houston defeated Kansas, 69-47. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com 
Kansas Jayhawks guard Kohl Rosario (7) blocks a shot as Houston Cougars forward Joseph Tugler (11) and others try to rebound the ball in the second half at the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Friday, March 13, 2026, in Kansas City. Houston defeated Kansas, 69-47. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com 
Kansas Jayhawks guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) puts up a shot as Houston Cougars forward Kalifa Sakho (14) defends in the second half at the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Friday, March 13, 2026, in Kansas City. Houston defeated Kansas, 69-47. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com 
Kansas Jayhawks forward Flory Bidunga (40) goes to the rim as Houston Cougars guard Emanuel Sharp (21) and center Chris Cenac Jr. (5) defend in the second half at the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Friday, March 13, 2026, in Kansas City. Houston defeated Kansas, 69-47. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com 
Coach Bill Self and the Kansas Jayhawks looked defeated as KU trailed Houston, eventually losing 69-47 at the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Friday, March 13, 2026, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com 
Kansas coach Bill Self watches the second half of a semifinal game against the Houston Cougars in the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Friday, March 13, 2026, in Kansas City. Houston defeated Kansas, 69-47. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com 
Kansas forward Flory Bidunga (40) put his arm around guard Kohl Rosario (7) as the Jayhawks were losing to the Houston Cougars in the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament semifinals at T-Mobile Center on Friday, March 13, 2026, in Kansas City. Houston defeated Kansas, 69-47. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com 
Houston Cougars center Chris Cenac Jr. (5) and guard Kingston Flemings (4) celebrate as the team closed in on a win over the Kansas Jayhawks, 69-47, at the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Friday, March 13, 2026, in Kansas City. 69-47. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
This story was originally published March 14, 2026 at 12:43 AM.
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Tammy Ljungblad, at The Kansas City Star, since 1989, is a photojournalist producing videos and storytelling photographs covering a wide range of topics including the Kansas City Chiefs, breaking news, in-depth stories and personality profiles. She is also a FAA licensed drone pilot.
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