(Picture credit score: Bob Donnan-Imagn Pictures)
The phrase ‘virtually’ continues to hold over the Houston program.
The Cougars definitely are outlined by that phrase, although they’ve received 4 consecutive convention championships, together with two straight within the high tier of the game within the Large 12, whereas racking up 12 NCAA Event wins over that very same span.
And but, because the No. 2 Cougars (35-5 in 2024-25) put together to tip off the 2025-26 season on Nov. 3 at dwelling towards Lehigh, this system nonetheless is dealing with questions on what it hasn’t achieved, slightly than what it has.
That is likely to be justifiable, because the 2024-25 season resulted in bitter disappointment when the Cougars could not shut out a win in San Antonio within the Nationwide Championship towards Florida, dropping 65-63. That gave Houston the doubtful honor of changing into the group with essentially the most ever Remaining 4 appearances (seven) with out with the ability to win a championship.
But when that historical past is weighing on the gamers and coaches, they don’t seem to be making it recognized, and so they’re dedicated to the trail that is gotten them this far.
‘In my profession, I’ve by no means had an unpleasant win,’ coach Kelvin Sampson says. ‘We have averaged virtually 30 wins a yr for eight years … Not a variety of groups can win on nights the ball do not go in. We have been actually good at that.’
Sampson, who’s looking for his 800th profession win within the opener, is little question buoyed by having one of the crucial proficient rosters within the nation at his disposal. Three of his gamers – senior guards Emanuel Sharp and Milos Uzan together with junior ahead Joseph Tugler – had been named preseason All-Large 12 by the coaches.
Uzan, a unanimous choice, is on the Bob Cousy Level Guard of the 12 months Award watch record, whereas Sharp is on the watch record for the Jerry West Capturing Guard of the 12 months Award.
One of many nation’s high recruiting courses is predicted to bolster that crew, which has been picked to win the Large 12 and tabbed with its highest preseason rating since 1967. Senior ahead Kalifa Sakho (7.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg at Sam Houston) joins together with a high-profile assortment of freshmen: guards Isiah Harwell, Kingston Flemings and Bryce Jackson and ahead Chris Cenac Jr.
Following exhibition play, Sampson credited that group with shopping for into Houston’s priorities of protection and offensive rebounding.
‘You need to be good at what you emphasize,’ Sampson stated. ‘Over time, we have been actually good at profitable video games once we do not shoot effectively as a result of we’ve a definitive plan on the right way to win.’
Lehigh final made the NCAA Event in 2012 when it notched its lone March Insanity victory, one which qualifies as one of many largest upsets in current NCAA Event historical past. The No. 15 seed Mountain Hawks despatched No. 2 Duke packing as CJ McCollum engineered a glowing 75-70 victory.
Currently, longtime head man Brett Reed has only one profitable marketing campaign over the previous six seasons. The Mountain Hawks had been 11-19 final season.
Lehigh shall be piloted by main returning scorer Nasir Whitlock, who averaged 10.5 factors a season in the past.
Reed, the varsity’s all-time chief in wins (287), gave Whitlock a vote of confidence earlier this fall by naming him group captain.
‘He is grown in his function and duties over his profession,’ Reed stated. ‘His affect on the group has been important since this final spring. His teammates and coaches acknowledge his management skills, and I’ve confidence he’ll excel in his function.’
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