Houston has a prime opportunity to get to the Elite 8 against a wounded Kentucky team. Do the Wildcats have enough weapons to stave off the underrated Cougars?
TV schedule: Friday, March 29, 9:59 pm ET. (approx) TBS
Arena: Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri
It’s been an impressive season for Houston Basketball (33-3) on their way to the Sweet Sixteen. But even after a dominant campaign in the AAC and a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament, the Cougars still had some naysayers about how good they really are. Still, Kelvin Sampson and the players continue to roll through the first two rounds.
Houston destroyed Georgia State by 29 points in the opening matchup led by Corey Davis with 26 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Fabian White had a double-double with 14 points and 11 boards. The Cougars shot 71% from inside the arc and out-rebounded the Panthers by 22 in the win. Ohio State gave them a tougher effort but fell to Houston by 15 points after Davis scored 21 points to lead all scorers for the Cougars victory.
For those who still doubt Houston, their next game against Kentucky (29-6) will be a great test. The Wildcats have been one of the best teams in the country in the ladder half of the season but is playing in the NCAA Tournament without their best player PJ Washington, who has been nursing a foot injury. He wasn’t needed in the first round win over Abilene Christian but the team struggled with Wofford in the Round of 32, winning 62-56.
The team shot poorly overall but defended the Terriers and their best player Fletcher Magee very well to get the win. Reid Travis got extended minutes with Washington out and was the best performer, putting up a team-high 14 points and 11 rebounds. They got the win but how much further the Wildcats can advance without their key forward now playing against the top teams in the country will be a big question.
The good news for Kentucky is that they face the smallest team left in the Big Dance. Houston has just one player over 6’8 in their usual rotation. However, they’re a top-10 rebounding team nationally and uses their undersized lineups to take advantage of their own matchups. It could be an issue for a slower big like Nick Richards. The Wildcats will also need to shoot better from long distance, going a combined 7-27 in the first two games.
It’s the last game of the Sweet 16 matchups and could be viewed as the most difficlut to predict. The Cougars’ offense has been rolling and take on a wounded Wildcat squad. Unless the three-pointers fall, it’s hard to envision them winning another game without Washington.