Houston Cougars Basketball: 2018-19 keys to winning at Tulane

WICHITA, KS - MARCH 15: Head coach Kelvin Sampson of the Houston Cougars reacts late in the game against the San Diego State Aztecs in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at INTRUST Arena on March 15, 2018 in Wichita, Kansas. The Houston Cougars defeated the San Diego State Aztecs 67-65. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /

4 of 4

CHAPEL HILL, NC – DECEMBER 03: Luke Maye #32 of the North Carolina Tar Heels defends Jordan Cornish #0 of the Tulane Green Wave during their game at the Dean Smith Center on December 3, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 97-73. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

3. Houston can’t get complacent

The final key for Houston against Tulane is a mental one, they must avoid the urge to get complacent against an inferior opponent. The Cougars began the season on a 15-game winning streak and have reeled off another nine* in a row since the hiccup against Temple, the numbers Houston has put up over the course season is on par with the top teams in the country, and I’d argue if they had these numbers while playing in the SEC, ACC or Big Ten, they would be thought of a little more highly.

Facing a team such as Tulane, even on the road can lead a top team to relax and feel as though they just have to show up to win, and that is when they get beat. A loss on Sunday, while it wouldn’t damage the Cougars spot in the field, given how hard they have to fight to be in the conversation with the top teams in the sport, it is likely a loss to Tulane would knock them down a good bit relative to the teams around them in the field.

Next. AAC Player of the Year Rankings. dark

Houston must treat Tulane as they have treated their previous 25 opponents, keep their foot on the gas.