Houston, there are no problems.
Kelvin Sampson training sessions may be akin to physical preparations NASA astronauts endure before launching into the expansive darkness of space, but they’re methodical work has paid off.
Gauntlet practices. Constant board crashes. Gallons of sweat. Suffice it to say, their efforts are tireless.
It’s not rocket science. Houston is perfectly assembled and poised to reach the Final Four in Indy, and possibly beyond.
Here’s why this willing gambler recently invested in a national title ticket on Clyde Drexler U at +800 on theScore Bet.
Relentless defense. Sampson’s zombie horde is fierce, tenacious and relentless. The blood-thirsty bunch challenges everything -- transition breakaways, perimeter hoists, around the rim action -- EVERYTHING. The tireless unit has surrendered only 0.944 points per possession the past 30 days, the 11th-lowest output in all of college basketball. Only allowing 46.1% from two and 33.7% from three over the stretch, they simply come after opponents from all points.
Most impressively, H-Town is undoubtedly the most ceaseless on-ball defense in the land. The pressure applied would shatter a diamond into pieces. This season, they’ve forced an opponent mistake on 22.0% of possessions, the ninth-highest in the game. As a result, those opportune miscues have led to numerous convertible sprintouts. Be careless against the Cougars and a harsh price will be paid.
Kingston Flemings. Whether breaking dudes down off the bounce or raining triples, Flemings is a buckets getter. The freshman sensation ranks No. 5 on KenPom’s Player of the Year rating. On the season, he’s drilled 53.3% from two, 38.8% from three and 84.0% from the line.
He’s a significant difference maker compared to last year’s national runner up. His scoring consistency, prowess and unfazed execution in high-leverage situations is a major reason why this Houston team is better than the 2024-2025 squad.
Glass waxings. Affixing a bosu ball on the rim, chucking shots at it and having his guys snag the ricocheting roundballs is a drill Sampson lives by. It’s quite effective. This season, Houston is one of the best crash-the-glass teams in the college game, grabbing an offensive rebound on nearly 37% of its possessions. Bigs Chris Cenac and Joseph Tugler always pack the Windex. Combined, the pair average 13.0 rebounds per game.
Don’t box out effectively and the Cougars will only sharpen their teeth on second chance opportunities.
Big 12 tests. Whether citing KenPom, BartTorvik, Haslametrics, EvanMiya or other advanced metric measurements, the Big 12 steadily ranks behind the SEC and Big Ten in overall power rating. Hogwash. The conference’s bottom feeders -- Colorado, Baylor, Kansas State and Utah -- may be profile drags, but evidenced by its likely 7-8 NCAA Tournament bids, the league is stacked. It’s a major reason why Houston boasts a formidable No. 42 overall strength of schedule.
The rugged road is a valuable gift for the Cougars. It's ideal preparation for them to make a storied run playing in neutral-court NCAA Tournament environments. They’ve been in fights. And they’ve won in various ways.
Last season, the Cougars were the college game's bridesmaid as Todd Golden’s Gators chomped down the nets in San Antonio, barely defeating Houston 65-63 in the title game.
That silver medalist finished the college basketball season No. 12 offensive efficiency and No. 1 in defensive efficiency per KenPom.
This year’s version is even better. Sampson’s squad features more size and scoring aptitude. As discussed above, Flemings -- one of several outstanding freshmen in quite possibly the greatest first-year class in history -- is the primary reason why. Overall, whether glancing at the statistical profile or game tape, the Cougars simply possess few, if any, weaknesses.
H-Town joins Florida (+1600), Illinois (+2000) and Nebraska (+5000) in this bettor’s title ticket billfold. With all the goods to win its first ever title, the three-time national runner up could finally get over the hump.
Blast off, Coogs.