Whereas Houston is now not a mid-major with its transfer to the Massive 12 previous to this season, we right here at Mid-Main Insanity are nonetheless maintaining a tally of what Kelvin Sampson’s workforce is doing.
We miss the times of the Cougars working wild within the AAC. Houston received 86.7% of its common season convention video games throughout its ultimate three years within the American. However shifting to a much bigger league, no downside. Houston is now 14 video games into its Massive 12 tenure and has received 78.6% of its video games in opposition to convention foes.
Houston received 86.7% of its common season convention video games throughout its ultimate three years within the AAC.
In its first season within the Massive 12, Houston has received 78.6% of its league recreation.
The years change, leagues change, however Kelvin Sampson doesn’t.
Corridor-of-Fame Coach. https://t.co/I69otdeOiS
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) February 24, 2024
The Cougars moved to 11-3 in league play with an 82-76 extra time win at Baylor, which is their fifth straight win.
Takeaway #1: Houston’s protection travels
Taking up the one of many prime offensive groups within the nation, the Cougars displayed why they’ve the nation’s prime scoring protection. Houston entered the sport yielding 55.3 factors per recreation, almost three factors higher than Saint Mary’s, who’s second.
The defensive prowess was on full show within the opening 20 minutes. Houston pressured 11 Baylor turnovers. In consequence, the Bears have been restricted to only 25 factors, and the Cougars led by as many as 17. They took a 16-point lead into the locker room.
Quick ahead to extra time, the Cougars restricted the Bears to 3-for-10 capturing and simply seven factors within the additional interval.
Takeaway #2: LJ Cryer has ice in his veins
In his return to Waco, Texas, the senior made the many of the alternative. He knocked down 15 factors on 3-of-7 capturing from deep. Unphased by the boos raining down from the Bears’ scholar part, Cryer demonstrated why his is an all-conference caliber participant.
Cryer was an All-Massive 12 Third Staff choice with Baylor final season. He was a freshman on the Bears’ 2021 nationwide championship workforce.
Takeaway #3: The Cougars are extremely balanced
All 5 Houston starters tallied a minimum of eight factors with 4 of them in double figures. Emanuel Sharp led the best way with 18 factors. J’Wan notched 17 factors on 7-for-9 capturing. Cryer tallied 15 factors, and Jamal Shead posted a double-double with 12 factors and 10 assists.
The Cougars shot a season-best 58.1% within the first half. Once you pair that form of capturing efficiency with the defensive effort, it’s no marvel why the Cougars led the Eleventh-ranked Bears by 16 in Waco.
And when it got here to crunch time in OT, Houston was crisp on the offensive finish. The Cougars made two of their three subject objectives and hit 9-of-10 from the free throw line.
