2024-25 Houston Cougars Basketball Predictions and Odds to Win the National Championship
The Houston Cougars basketball program put together one of the best regular seasons in recent memory. They started the season winning their first 14 games and would finish with a 28-3 regular season record and a 15-3 Big 12 record. Their three losses in the regular season were by a combined 18 points, and they went 5-1 against AP Top 25 teams. They dominated their first two conference tournament games, beating TCU and Texas Tech by a combined 28 points, but the tides turned quickly as they were blown out by Iowa State in the title game, losing by 28 points. Despite the blowout loss, the Cougars still had a 1-Seed in the Big Dance. They took down Longwood and escaped with a win in OT against Texas A&M in their second-round matchup. Unfortunately, the Cougars season would come to an end as they lost to 4-Seed Duke by three points in the Sweet 16.
Despite their success, the Cougars were below average on offense last season. They ranked 10th in the conference in PPG, averaging just 73.5 PPG while shooting just 68.7% from the charity stripe. L.J. Cryer was the team leader in points, as he averaged 15.5 PPG while shooting 87.1% from the line and 38.8% from deep. Jamal Shead (12.9 PPG) and Emanuel Sharp (12.6 PPG) were the only other Cougars to average double-digit points. Shead led the team with 6.3 APG, which also ranked 15th in the nation. The pride of this Houston team was their defense. They had the best defense in the country, allowing just 57.6 PPG. They held their opponents to 37.9% FG% and just 30.1% from beyond the arc. Their +15.8 PPG differential as well as their +4.7 SPG differential both ranked inside the Top Three in the country.
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Houston Cougars Basketball Key Additions/Losses
Like other members of the Big 12, consistency and returning production will be what keeps the Cougars at the top of the rankings. Their roster is largely the same, with just three players leaving from last season. Shead has gone onto the NBA and will be a large piece of the puzzle missing as Houston heads into the new season. Damian Dunn (6.4 PPG) transferred out of the program to Pittsburgh, while Ryan Elvin (2.9 MPG) ran out of eligibility.
In an effort to replace Shead, the Cougars brought in Milos Uzan, who averaged 9.0 PPG, 3.4 RPG, and 4.4 APG with the Oklahoma Sooners last season. Uzan should join the starting lineup right away and should add to the defensive makeup of this team. In addition to Uzan, the Cougars signed two four-star recruits out of the high school ranks. Mercy Miller (55th nationally) and Chase McCarty (97th nationally) will add some depth to the Cougars bench.
Houston Cougars Basketball X-Factors
Been There, Done That- The Cougars are returning over 70% of their production from last season. Shead is a huge loss both offensively and defensively, but Uzan should slot in just fine into the Cougars system. Cryer and Sharp will expand the floor for the Cougars offensively, while J’Wan Roberts is going to blow up the stat sheet this season.
Nonconference Tournaments- Their first nonconference tournament pits them against #11 Auburn, while their next tournament begins with #2 Alabama. If they move forward in the tournament, they could face one of #12 Texas A&M or #15 Creighton. We should get an idea early on just how dominant this team could be again this season.
Houston Cougars Basketball Notable Games
Home- #8 Baylor, #5 Iowa State, #20 Cincinnati, #1 Kansas
Away/Neutral- #11 Auburn, #2 Alabama, #1 Kansas, #10 Arizona, #8 Baylor
Houston Cougars Basketball Key Odds:
NCAA Champion: +1100
Final Four: +210
Conference Winner: +230
Wooden Award: L.J. Cryer- +3000
Wooden Award: Emmanuel Sharp- +8000
Wooden Award: J’Wan Roberts- +23000
AP Top 25- 4th
Andy Katz’s Power 37- 6th
KenPom- 1st
Houston Cougars Basketball Predictions
Houston will once again head into the season as one of the best in nation as they look very similar to last year’s squad. Cryer and Sharp will get the job done offensively, while Roberts and Uzan will headline a suffocating defensive unit. Their offense has the potential to be even better than it was last season, but the defense will once again carry this team along another deep tournament run. The Cougars took care of business against ranked teams last season and will have to do so again as they head into the season with nine games against ranked teams. I like the Cougars to make the Final Four this season and have a real shot to win the Big 12.
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