NCAA Basketball: Virginia, Michigan lead top one-loss teams in 2018-19

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - DECEMBER 09: Kyle Guy #5 and Ty Jerome #11 hug beside Braxton Key #2 of the Virginia Cavaliers at the end of a game against the VCU Rams at John Paul Jones Arena on December 9, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

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WICHITA, KS – MARCH 17: Corey Davis Jr. #5 of the Houston Cougars reacts against 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) /

5. Houston (18-1)

It’s probably very surprising to see No. 21 Houston outside of the last spot. But, it’s not very difficult to look better than Nevada.

Honestly, I’ve been extremely impressed with the Cougars thus far. Kelvin Sampson’s squad has several quality wins, headlined by a four-point victory over former No. 18 Oregon. Houston has also knocked off BYU, LSU, Memphis, and SMU.

Houston’s sole loss isn’t dreadful, either. The Cougars fell to Temple by four points in a game the Owls were favored in.

Plenty of the Cougars’ success can be credited to its defense, which holds opponents to 60.5 points per game, the seventh-best figure in the country. No team has posted over 80 points against Houston this year.

Guards Corey Davis Jr and Armoni Brooks combine for one of the best backcourts in the country. The former averages a team-leading 15.7 points per game while the latter posts 14.5 points and 6.7 rebounds per night.

But it’s not star power that gives the Cougars a boost on the offensive end. Instead, the depth allows Houston to outwork opponents offensively, as nine Cougars play 14 or more minutes per game.

The American Conference looks to be as competitive as its been in quite some time. Although they’re the only ranked squad, Houston is not a lock to win the league’s regular season title.

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