Busting Brackets
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AAC Basketball: Why Houston is overlooked as contender for 2019-20

By Sam Jarrett

TULSA, OKLAHOMA - MARCH 24: Corey Davis Jr. #5 of the Houston Cougars and teammates walk back to the bench during the first half of the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament against the Ohio State Buckeyes at BOK Center on March 24, 2019 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
TULSA, OKLAHOMA - MARCH 24: Corey Davis Jr. #5 of the Houston Cougars and teammates walk back to the bench during the first half of the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament against the Ohio State Buckeyes at BOK Center on March 24, 2019 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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TULSA, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 22: Dejon Jarreau #13 of the Houston Cougars dunks the ball against the Georgia State Panthers during the first half in the first round game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at BOK Center on March 22, 2019 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
TULSA, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 22: Dejon Jarreau #13 of the Houston Cougars dunks the ball against the Georgia State Panthers during the first half in the first round game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at BOK Center on March 22, 2019 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Cougars roster

Two years ago, Houston was led on their tournament run by Rob Gray Jr., who averaged 19 points and 4.4 assists per game while making numerous clutch shots over the course of the year. Last year, the torch was passed to guard Corey Davis Jr., who averaged 17 points and 3.3 assists per game while making an appearance on the All-AAC first team.

This year, this torch will be handed to DeJon “Deeky” Jarreau, a skilled 6’5 lead guard who will likely play in the NBA. Jarreau was a top-60 recruit in 2016 and elected to enroll with the UMass Minutemen, but transferred to Houston following his freshman year. He has more than enough in him to average north of 15 points per game, just like his predecessors, and be one of the premier players in the conference.

The Cougars also have a very capable supporting cast. In terms of the returners, Nate Hinton, a former four-star recruit who will start next to Jarreau in the backcourt, had a strong freshman year and is also a legitimate NBA prospect. Fabian White Jr. and Cedrick Alley Jr., who split starts at one of the forward spots last season, are high-energy players who can play a valuable role. Brison Gresham, who transferred from UMass with Jarreau, had one of the highest Defensive Box Plus-Minus’ in the country, and rising senior big man Chris Harris shot 73% from the floor last season.

There are plenty of newcomers to get excited about as well. Guard Caleb Mills, a top-200 player in the 2019 class, has been on campus since January and has experience within the system. J’Wan Roberts, a polished forward, is a top-150 recruit and will likely make a significant impact from day one. Justin Gorham, a transfer from Towson, averaged an efficient 9.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per game during the 2017-18 season, and his skills should be able to transfer to the AAC after he spent a year within the program.

That list of players makes up a nine-man rotation that, while not being the strongest on paper, is cohesive, disciplined, and playing under an elite coach. Sampson has shown over the past couple of seasons that he doesn’t need a roster filled with elite talent in order to see significant success, and there’s no reason that this year should be any different.