Houston Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Cougars

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WICHITA, KS – MARCH 17: Breaon Brady #24 of the Houston Cougars drives against Moritz Wagner #13 of the Michigan Wolverines in the first 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) /

Non-conference breakdown

Here are the highlights of Houston’s non conference schedule.

BYU, Road, November 24th

The first challenge on Houston’s non-conference schedule will come against BYU. The Cougars were building a really strong team for this season, but one of their best players, Elijah Bryant turned pro with eligibility remaining. This departure probably rules out BYU as a potential NCAA Tournament club, but their big three of Nick Emery, TJ Haws, and Yoeli Childs will keep them competitive. Since this game is on the road, it may count as a Quadrant 1 game because BYU should fall right around the Top 75 threshold.

Oregon, Home, December 1st

Houston’s next test will come at home where they will face a much improved Oregon team. The Ducks were one of the biggest disappointments in college basketball last year, but add a pair of 5 star freshmen in Bol Bol and Louis King. Bol is an enormous 7’3” center who can stretch the defense with his perimeter jumper and can also protect the rim with his disruptive length. King is known as a wing scorer but has not been cleared to play yet due to injury. One of Oregon’s biggest strengths is their veteran backcourt led by junior Payton Pritchard. Pritchard was a starter on Oregon’s Final Four team and should continue to prove that he is one of the best guards in the nation. The Ducks should be a top 20-25 team which would make this a resume building opportunity.

Oklahoma State, Road, December 8th

Oklahoma State figures to be a bottom two team in the Big 12 after losing 4 of their top 5 scorers, but they should still be a competitive team as they are not without talent. Lindy Waters and Cameron McGriff are both poised for breakout seasons as they become the faces of the program. Unfortunately, Micheal Weathers, one of their projected starting guards was recently arrested (and suspended) so the extent of his absence is unclear. This is probably a Quadrant 2 game, although there is an outside chance that it could sneak into the top Quadrant.

LSU, Home, December 12th

LSU is the best team Houston will face in the regular season and they will get a crack at the Tigers on their home floor. Star PG Tremont Waters is back for his sophomore season and he averaged 15.9 ppg and 6.0 apg as a freshman. He will get even more help from his supporting cast this season as Naz Reid and Emmitt Williams will step into the frontcourt. Both are 5-star prospects and Reid is even seen as a projected NBA Lottery pick. The Tigers have a surefire Top 20 team on paper, now they just have to prove it on the court.

Saint Louis, Home, December 16th

The last noteworthy game on Houston’s non-conference slate is against Saint Louis. The Billikens were a mediocre A-10 squad in 17-18, but have injected a significant amount of talent into a previously shorthanded roster. 3 of their top 4 scorers have returned (Javon Bess, Hasahn French, and Jordan Goodwin). However, what separates Saint Louis from the rest of the conference is the additions of grad transfer PG Tramaine Isabell and highly recruited center Cart’are Gordon. The Billikens look like a top 50 team, but like LSU, they will have to prove their new pieces can gel.