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Houston Basketball: Cougars are a real threat in the NCAA Tournament

By Nathaniel Searl

CINCINNATI, OH - MARCH 10: Corey Davis Jr. #5 of the Houston Cougars reacts during the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Fifth Third Arena on March 10, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - MARCH 10: Corey Davis Jr. #5 of the Houston Cougars reacts during the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Fifth Third Arena on March 10, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Houston basketball has the best seeding they have had in 36 years as a No. 3 seed. Here is what they need to do to win in the big dance.

Houston Basketball was able to snatch a No. 3 seed on Selection Sunday despite an ugly loss to Cincinnati in the AAC championship final. Houston still had an impressive season, finishing 31-3 overall and only losing to UCF, Temple, and Cincinnati.

Houston is a No. 3 seed in the Midwest bracket, and will play their first game of the tournament in Tulsa on Friday against the Sun Belt Conference champion in the Georgia State Panthers. Houston will need to watch out for D’Marcus Simonds in this game. The 6-foot-3 shooting guard averaged 18.4 points per game along with five rebounds. The Panthers also love the three, shooting 40 percent of their shots from beyond the arc. Houston will need to extend their defense to prevent open looks.

If Houston is able to beat Georgia State, they will play either Iowa State or Ohio State. While both of these teams are seeded lower than the Cougars, Iowa State had an astounding performance in the Big 12 tournament, upsetting both Kansas State and Kansas to win the championship as a No. 5 seed. If they are to get past this point they will most likely face the No. 2 seed Kentucky.

For the Cougars to win games and succeed in the tournament, they need their guards to be at the top of their game. Corey Davis Jr. and Armoni Brooks are responsible for almost 40 percent of their team’s scoring. In their loss to Cincinnati, Davis Jr. only shot 3-for-13 from the field. This cannot happen if Houston hopes to make a run. Another key to Houston’s success has been their defense, which will need to plan accordingly for the upcoming tournament games.

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Do not count Houston out this year. After suffering a second-round loss to a Michigan buzzer-beater last year, they are back with a vengeance and a far better seed. The Midwest bracket is somewhat intimidating with Kentucky and North Carolina, but if Houston plays to their full potential they should be able to compete with the best. How far do you think Houston will go this year?