NCAA Basketball Power Rankings: Illinois rises, Dayton keeps impressing

Houston has won 10 of its last 11 games and deserves to move into the Top 25 as a result. After starting the season a bit slow, it feels as though the Cougars are starting to hit their rhythm and they have emerged as one of the favorites in the AAC as a result. The team currently holds a 16-4 (6-1 AAC) record that includes seven victories over the KenPom Top 100.

It’s hard to say exactly what the ceiling is for this squad but there is no doubt that it has performed at a high level as of late.

Unlike the past couple of seasons, though, Houston’s success has been driven by its offense so far this year. With the No. 15 adjusted offensive efficiency in the nation, statistics back up the idea that the Cougars rely on their scoring to take over games rather than shutting down their opponents defensively.

Head coach Kelvin Sampson has adjusted his scheming a bit to fit his roster and it is paying major dividends. This team plays at a relatively pedestrian pace but is diligent in taking care of the ball and seeking out the right shots.

Most importantly, though, Houston absolutely dominates the glass. The Cougars rank third nationally in offensive rebounding rate and they are able to consistently collect second-chance points in just about every game.

Four different players on the team are averaging at least two offensive rebounds per game. Chris Harris and Brison Gresham, most notably, come off the bench and rank in the Top 35 nationally in individual offensive rebounding rate. It is impressive to have that level of glass-cleaning depth.