Houston Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Cougars

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WICHITA, KS – MARCH 17: Rob Gray #32 of the Houston Cougars talks with head coach Kelvin Sampson of the Houston Cougars as they take on the Michigan Wolverines in the second half during the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at INTRUST Bank Arena on March 17, 2018 in Wichita, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Houston had a breakthrough 17-18 season where they earned a NCAA Tournament berth for the first time since joining the AAC. Can the Cougars return to the Big Dance?

After making the NIT in consecutive seasons, Houston finally broke through and earned an NCAA Tournament berth during its fourth season in the AAC. The Cougars were projected by many, in the preseason, to be a bubble team or to return to the NIT for a third straight year, but they obliterated their supposed ceiling and finished with a 27-8 record.

Houston was playing its best basketball towards the end of the season, but suffered a crushing last second defeat in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Michigan’s Jordan Poole hit a miraculous buzzer beater when the game seemed all but over, cutting short Houston’s promising postseason run.

Even though the season ended on a sour note, Cougar fans have to be thrilled about last season. Earning a six seed is no easy feat and should serve as a building block for the program. This season, Houston could return to the Big Dance, but it will be a challenge because they are losing some key players to graduation.

The biggest loss is their star guard and leading scorer (and leading distributor), Rob Gray. Gray is an elite shot maker who is adept at creating offense for himself and for his teammates. He hit some enormous shots on the national stage in their first-round win over San Diego State, but this is something he has done throughout his Houston career. He averaged 19.3 ppg and 4.4 apg as a senior and it will be nearly impossible to find a replacement of his caliber.

Gray is not the only impact player who has graduated as starting PF Devin Davis has also exhausted his eligibility. Davis is a 6’7” PF who excelled in the mid-range with his automatic and high arching jumper. He could also put the ball on the floor and attack from the high post and score with his back to the basket. Replacing his 10.9 ppg and his team-leading 6.3 rpg will be difficult as well.

Lastly, Wes Van Beck and Nura Zanna were the other rotation players who have graduated. Van Beck was a shooter and the fifth leading scorer at 6.1 ppg while Zanna was a graduate transfer who provided defense and toughness at the backup center position. Both played approximately 15 mpg and their experience made them valuable players, especially in a complementary role.

Houston undoubtedly lost a significant amount of talent, but there are reasons for optimism. Between the incoming talent and the skilled returners, the Cougars could realistically return to the NCAA Tournament. This article will analyze Houston’s starters, reserves, and non-conference schedule. It will conclude with some key questions as well as a prediction of where the Cougars will land nationally and in their conference.