Busting Brackets
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Houston Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Cougars

By Brad Cavallaro

WICHITA, KS - MARCH 17: Head coach Kelvin Sampson of the Houston Cougars talks with the team 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. The Michigan Wolverines won 64-63 with a 3-point buzzer beater. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
WICHITA, KS - MARCH 17: Head coach Kelvin Sampson of the Houston Cougars talks with the team 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. The Michigan Wolverines won 64-63 with a 3-point buzzer beater. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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WICHITA, KS – MARCH 15: Armoni Brooks #3 of the Houston Cougars reacts against the San Diego State Aztecs during the first half of the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at INTRUST Arena on March 15, 2018 in Wichita, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
WICHITA, KS – MARCH 15: Armoni Brooks #3 of the Houston Cougars reacts against the San Diego State Aztecs during the first half of the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at INTRUST Arena on March 15, 2018 in Wichita, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Reserves

Armoni Brooks, Wing, Junior

Having a player like Armoni Brooks coming off the bench is a great luxury for Houston. Brooks will compete for a starting spot but will play starter’s minutes (25-28 mpg) either way. The 6’3” junior is a knock down three-point shooter as he hit 42% of his long-range attempts (83 makes). He also was fourth on the team in scoring last season (9.3 ppg) despite only playing 20 minutes a night. It will be tough to find many sixth men who are as good as Brooks which is a major advantage for the Cougars.

Brison Gresham, Center, Sophomore

Gresham previously played for UMass with current teammate Dejon Jarreau and looks to be the first frontcourt player off the bench. He only played 12 mpg as a freshman and shot a disastrous 7-26 from the free throw stripe, but played much better towards the end of the season. Gresham averaged 5.4 ppg and 4.6 rpg in 18.2 mpg over the last five games of the season and should provide defense and physicality at the center position.

Nate Hinton, Guard, Freshman

Hinton is the lone 2018 recruit on this Houston squad and was ranked as a top 100 player in his class. He has elite size for a PG at 6’6” which will allow him to see over the defense and punish smaller guards. Like Jarreau, Hinton’s size allows him to play multiple positions and he will likely play on the wing as well as playing PG. His minutes could be limited to the 12-15 mpg range this season as Houston’s backcourt is loaded with veteran talent, but Hinton is an essential piece moving forward and could even start at PG next season.

Landon Goesling, Guard, Senior

Goesling is one of a handful of Division II transfers who are joining the Division I ranks this season. This is not his first stint in the top division as he started his career at Appalachian State before excelling at St. Edward’s. The 6’0” guard has one year of eligibility at Houston and will act as another long-range sniper to bring off the bench. With so many guards and wings needing playing time, Goesling could be limited to a 8-10 mpg role (if he even makes the rotation), but he is talented given his 22.9 ppg last season.

Chris Harris Jr, Center, Junior

Harris played sporadically last season as he only appeared in 22 games. This year, Harris will battle with Gresham for minutes at the center position and one of the two big men should land a consistent role since Nura Zanna has graduated. Zanna played 14.7 mpg last year while providing defense and physicality and either Harris or Gresham should be able to fill in admirably.

Cedric Alley Jr, Forward, Freshman

Alley only played in the first two games of last season before a hip Injury cost him the rest of the year. Despite being one of the least experienced and least proven players on the team, Alley could carve out a role backing up Fabian White because there aren’t any clear alternatives. Gresham and Harris wouldn’t be a great fit next to Brady and Houston’s perimeter players are more guards than wings. A guy like Jarreau could see time at the four in a super small and guard centric lineup, but the odds are looking good for the 6’5” redshirt freshman to see some early playing time.