The Houston Cougars are one of the best teams in college basketball this year. Their success stems from strong coaching, a combination of reliable scorers and tenacious defenders, and elite leadership. With their sustained success as a national powerhouse, they have yet to win a national championship in school history.
Houston played in the 1983 and 1984 national championship games, losing to NC State (ranked sixth) and Georgetown (ranked first). In this year’s tournament, they’ve emerged as one of the most complete teams. A resounding double-digit win against a formidable Tennessee Volunteers squad has propelled them to their seventh Final Four. This achievement is particularly significant, as it’s the Cougars’ inaugural Final Four appearance as a member of the Power 4 Conference.
Houston’s Cryer: History in the Making?
L.J. Cryer, who played three seasons at Baylor, won a national championship in his first year. He transferred to Houston and was granted a fifth year as a graduate player. If he can guide the Cougars to their first ever National Championship he will become the first player in NCAA history to win a men’s basketball national title at two different schools.
“I wasn’t coming back for anything other than this honestly,” Cryer says, “I like to win. I’m glad we made it to this point. If we didn’t make it to this point, I definitely would have been upset with our season.
“I’m going to stop partying as soon as I get to the locker room. I know we’ve got a big game (Saturday). They’re really talented.”
Cryer’s strong performances have been instrumental in Houston’s tournament dominance, particularly his combined 47 points against Gonzaga and Tennessee. Despite this, he struggled mightily in the Elite Eight against Purdue, managing only five points on a 2-for-13 shooting night. The energy Cryer provides fuels this Houston team offensively and defensively. In the last three games, Cryer has been on the court for 111 out of 120 minutes.
This Houston team will face a tough test playing the Duke Blue Devils. Duke has been just as good as Houston so far. Cooper Flagg looks like that ankle injury he sustained in the ACC tournament isn’t bothering him at all. The matchup of Duke’s potent offense against Houston’s formidable defense is set to be a highly anticipated storyline. Houston does get to play Duke in Texas. We will have to wait and see how much of an advantage that gives the Cougars.
Veteran Sampson Hunts Elusive Championship Crown
With 797 career wins, the second-most all-time among coaches without a national title, Kelvin Sampson and his Houston Cougars have yet to secure a championship. While he’s received multiple Coach of the Year awards, the national championship is the ultimate prize that has escaped him. This is one of his most talented Houston teams, and they are poised to hoist the trophy once and for all. Coach Sampson also has a lot of praise for his players and the University of Houston.
“This program to me is all about the players,” Sampson says, talking in the locker room after the second Final Four berth of his beyond remarkable UH run. “It’s a players-led program, which is part of our success. It’s a player-owned program too. Our players own this program and I’m proud of them.”
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