Joseph Tugler - College Basketball News & Rumors

Struggles continue Tugler notched eight points (4-5 FG), four rebounds, one assist and four steals in 15 minutes during Saturday's 94-85 win over Arkansas.

Impact While Tugler is known more for his defense, the offensive game still hasn't developed as expected in 2025-26. That's due partially to foul trouble, which limited his minutes again here. He's now been held to single digits in six of seven games dating back to Nov. 24, effectively falling out of "must-start" status in the fantasy world. That's especially the case with another long break on the horizon, as Houston doesn't suit up again until Dec. 29 against Middle Tennessee.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Jackson State visits No. 7 Houston following Sharp's 27-point game

No. 7 Houston hosts the Jackson State Tigers after Emanuel Sharp scored 27 points in Houston's 82-67 victory over the Florida State Seminoles

DECEMBER 10 • Associated Press

No. 8 Houston takes on Florida State

The No. 8 Houston Cougars face the Florida State Seminoles at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas

DECEMBER 5 • Associated Press

No. 3 Houston beats Notre Dame 66-56 in consolation game of the Players Era Championship

Emanuel Sharp scored 17 points to lead No. 3 Houston to a 66-56 victory over Notre Dame on Wednesday in the consolation game of the Players Era Championship

NOVEMBER 26 • Associated Press

Tough offensive showing Tugler recorded two points (1-7 FG), four rebounds, one assist and five blocks over 24 minutes before fouling out of Monday's 78-74 OT win over Syracuse.

Impact It was the second time in three games Tugler has fouled out, but he wasn't exactly efficient offensively prior to his exit. The end result was his lowest scoring total of the season and third time he's been limited to single digits. Tugler's counting stats have certainly been affected by the presence of star freshman Chris Cenac in the frontcourt, but his aggressiveness is also having a negative effect, as he has four or more personal fouls in four of six games this season. With a tough matchup against Tennessee awaiting Tuesday in the Players Era Festival, the Cougars will need Tugler on the court to continue their undefeated season.

NOVEMBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Syracuse Orange play the No. 2 Houston Cougars

The Syracuse Orange face the No. 2 Houston Cougars at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada

NOVEMBER 24 • Associated Press

Kingston Flemings scores 18 and No. 2 Houston beats Rider 91-45

Kingston Flemings scored 18 points on 8-for-10 shooting, Emanuel Sharp added 15 points, and No. 2 Houston beat Rider 91-45

NOVEMBER 21 • Associated Press

Fouls out against Auburn Tugler fouled out of Sunday's 73-72 win over Auburn after recording four points (2-8 FG), seven rebounds, two assists, one block and two steals across 22 minutes.

Impact Tugler has been solid defensively for the Cougars so far in 2025-26, with 10 blocks and nine steals through four games. The scoring output has lagged a bit however, as he had just four points across 16 minutes in a Nov. 12 game against Oakland, and his overall minutes were affected by foul trouble Sunday. Meanwhile, freshman forward Chris Cenac has been cutting into Tugler's expected production, as he's averaging 10.8 points and 9.0 rebounds through four games for Houston. The Cougars are 4-0 to start the year, however, so a need for adjustment likely isn't on the horizon.

NOVEMBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Kingston Flemings scores 20, No. 2 Houston beats Towson HOUSTON (AP) — Kingston Flemings scored 20 points, Joseph Tugler added 15 points and eight rebounds and No. 2 Houston defeated Towson 65-48...

NOVEMBER 9 • THESTAR.COM

Kingston Flemings scores 20, No. 2 Houston beats Towson 65-48

Kingston Flemings scored 20 points, Joseph Tugler added 15 points and eight rebounds and No. 2 Houston defeated Towson 65-48 on Saturday

NOVEMBER 8 • Associated Press

Diversifying his game Tugler closed Saturday's 65-48 win over Towson with 15 points (7-14 FG, 1-2 FT), eight rebounds, one block and five steals in 29 minutes.

Impact Tugler filled his traditional role of controlling the glass with eight boards while dominating on the defensive end with a career-high five steals and a block. However, the defensive stalwart has made an early impression offensively, scoring 15 points on a career-high 14 field-goal attempts. Tugler has now reached double figures in scoring during both games thus far, marking the first time in his career he's done so in consecutive games.

NOVEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Sampson earns 800th win as No. 2 Houston beats Lehigh 75-57

Emanuel Sharp scored 24 points to lead second-ranked Houston to a 75-57 win against Lehigh for coach Kelvin Sampson’s 800th career win

NOVEMBER 4 • Associated Press

Great during exhibition Tugler (foot) logged 17 points (6-14 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 5-6 FT), seven rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal across 28 minutes during Houston's 61-52 win Sunday against Mississ...

Impact Tugler led Houston's team in points and blocks. Even though the 2025-26 Cougars are expected to be led by Milos Uzan and Emanuel Sharp, as indicated by their higher field-goal attempts Sunday, Tugler recently proved that he can be a top option among UH's scoring department. In terms of blocks, Tugler leading the way is more likely, considering his 6-foot-8, 230-pound frame and sufficient minutes helped him average 1.9 blocks in 40 games during his 2024-25 season.

OCTOBER 27 • ROTOWIRE

Likely no limitations before season Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson said Tuesday that he does not expect Tugler (foot) to have any limitations going into UH's season opener, per Chris Baldwin of PaperCity Magazine.

Impact Considering that Tugler's last update was that he was not participating in any drills or scrimmaging, his latest development is significant progress. Houston's team will log at least one exhibition before beginning regular-season action in November. Ideally for the Cougars, they can acclimate Tugler into game action before their regular season so that they can focus on replicating their 2024-25 success without any problems.

OCTOBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Not in drills or scrimmages Tugler (foot) is not participating in any drills or scrimmaging, according to Chris Baldwin of PaperCity Magazine.

Impact Even though Tugler may be fully cleared, according to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports, almost a week has passed since that last update, and the forward's lack of progress suggests that there is still work to be done on his part. Ideally, his injury status will be cleared up during Houston's preseason, which features an exhibition game on Oct. 26 against Mississippi State in Rosenberg, Texas.

SEPTEMBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Houston Cougars' Joseph Tugler Receives Major Injury Update After coming so agonizingly close to winning it all last season, the Houston Cougars remain one of the favorites heading into the 2025-26 ca...

SEPTEMBER 19 • SI.COM

Fully cleared for Houston Tugler (foot) is fully cleared for basketball-related activities, according to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports.

Impact Tugler spent the entire summer recovering from foot surgery, a procedure that pushed his return date back from multiple months to multiple occasions. He entered September expecting to be cleared, and though it still took longer than expected, his availability for fall workouts is good. Now, Houston's team gets the reigning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year healthy, and he also comes as a statistically sound player with 5.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game last season.

SEPTEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Expected to be cleared in 10 days Tugler (foot) is expected to be fully cleared for basketball-related activities in 10 days, per Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports.

Impact Tugler was fully expected to be fully cleared in August, but his latest update indicates that is not the case. At the very least, it looks like he will be cleared before October, when the Houston team and many others are expected to begin their preseason sessions. Coming off 5.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks this past season, Tugler offers a lot of upside going into his junior season.

SEPTEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Full clearance expected in August Tugler (foot) is expected to be fully cleared for basketball-related activities during August, per Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports.

Impact Even though Tugler sat out Houston's summer workouts, the season may finish with his availability intact. The development would allow him to build off his 2024-25 season, where the big man's 33 starts include 5.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game.

AUGUST 5 • ROTOWIRE

Out for summer Tugler (foot) is out for summer workouts, according to Joseph Duarte of the Houston Chronicle.

Impact In April, Tugler's right foot underwent surgery, which is why he will sit out Houston's summer workouts. For the Cougars, they plan to have him fully available by fall workouts, just before their 2025-26 season. Whether or not Tugler will be ready by then remains to be seen.

JUNE 2 • ROTOWIRE

On a team of unsung heroes, Joseph Tugler stands out as Houston nears March Madness title If one player embodies the spirit of Houston's basketball program that is one win from a national title, it may be this unsung hero of the C...

APRIL 7 • USATODAY.COM

Houston's LJ Cryer falls short in bid to win NCAA titles at 2 schools in finale vs. Florida

Houston's LJ Cryer fell short in his bid to become the first player to win the NCAA college basketball title at two schools

APRIL 7 • Associated Press

Condon and Gators are tall and long but ready for a physical matchup with Houston in the NCAA final

Florida’s Alex Condon has already been through the physical battle with Auburn’s Johni Broome and came out the other side battered but victorious

APRIL 6 • Associated Press

Electric defensively Tugler accumulated four points (2-4 FG), eight rebounds, two assists, four blocks and one steal in 26 minutes during Saturday's 70-67 victory over Duke.

Impact Tugler went down hard on his ankle early in the first half in this one, but he was able to eventually return to the contest and help the Cougars to a strong finish, likely erasing any doubt about his availability for Monday's title game. While Tugler's numbers don't always jump out of the box score, he's active on the glass and offers stellar contributions on the defensive end, making opposing players think twice about challenging him in the paint. Tugler will get a new challenge in Florida's deep and versatile frontcourt when he takes the court for the final time in 2025-25 on Monday.

APRIL 6 • ROTOWIRE

Duke's push for 6th NCAA title falls apart in unlikely late collapse against Houston in Final Four

Duke's push for its sixth national championship ended abruptly and in unlikely fashion with the Blue Devils squandering a double-digit second-half lead

APRIL 6 • Associated Press

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