From: February 2
Welcome to The Road to March, a new series from Next Man Up. Over the next month, we will be previewing teams daily that have a chance to make the big dance. These previews will include a season outlook, key contributors, key wins, key losses, and the ceiling and floor for the team in the tournament.
Next up, the Houston Cougars.
SEASON OUTLOOK:
Yet another season of dominance from the Houston Cougars with a 20–2 record, sitting alone atop the American Athletic Conference. They are number three in the AP Poll and number one in KenPom as it stands today. Veteran guard Marcus Sasser, an all-around superstar in college basketball, leads the Cougars’ attack on both sides of the floor. They are top ten in both adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency per KenPom and can win in numerous ways. Houston has picked up big wins against ranked teams, beating both St. Mary’s and Virginia. Their two losses have both come at home, with Houston dropping games to Alabama and Temple at the Fertitta Center. They have not looked like themselves as of late, but have a date with Wichita State later tonight, an opportunity to get back to their dominant ways.
KEY CONTRIBUTORS:
Lead guard Marcus Sasser is the stir that straws the drink to Kelvin Sampson’s team. He gets it done on both ends of the floor, averaging 16.2 points per game, and wreaking havoc defensively. He will get up in your face and guard you all over the court, commonly making opposing guards uncomfortable. His backcourt partner Jamal Shead is also a great contributor, starring in more of a facilitator role by dishing out 5.2 assists per game. Unlike normal Kelvin Sampson teams, the Cougars have a five-star freshman in Jarace Walker. Walker is unbelievably athletic, and after their win against Cincinnati, the head coach said “Jarace is just getting more comfortable and more confident. You can just see it.” He was awarded CBS Freshman of the Week, averaging 21.0 points per game and 5.5 rebounds a game. The kid is a difference maker for the Cougs, and a possible difference maker to put them over the hump in March.
KEY WINS:
Neutral Court vs 18. St. Mary’s: 53–48
Away vs 6 Virginia: 69–61
KEY LOSSES:
Home vs 4 Alabama: 71–65
Home vs Temple: 56–55
CEILING:
This Cougars team has the makeup to win a National Championship. They have elite balance, defense, rebounding, and athleticism. They have been proven winners in March, making it to the Elite 8 last year and the Final Four the year before. Houston has all of the tools to make a deep run in the tournament yet again.
The Houston Cougars’ ceiling is the National Championship.
FLOOR:
Thankfully their defense is elite because at times their offense is shaky. The Cougs put up a stinker at home against Temple, only scoring 55 points. Houston could be bounced as soon as the second weekend if their offense gets cold. They have enough talent to supersede offensive woes in the first two rounds.
The Houston Cougars’ floor is the Sweet 16.