NCAA Basketball: Way-too-early top-25 power rankings for 2021-22 season

The Cougars were able to make it to the Final Four and based on the roster they currently have, will have a great chance of repeating again. That’s not to say that they won’t be losing talent, as star guard and leading scorer Quentin Grimes is likely off to the NBA, while key seniors Dejon Jarreau and Justin Gorham will be graduating.

If Grimes does depart, look for Marcus Sasser (13.7 ppg) to have an even bigger role in the offense. He’ll be joined by rising sophomore Tramon Mark, along with Cameron Tyson, who averaged 6.2 ppg but fell out of the rotation once it tightened up.

The main questions come in the frontcourt, an area of weakness they’ve had for a while. Assuming Gorham, Fabian White Jr., and Brison Gresham all graduates and moves on, the Cougars will have Reggie Chaney, J’Wan Roberts, and incoming three-star freshmen Ja’Vier Francis and Robbie Armbrester, as well as recent UConn grad transfer center Josh Carlton. The 6’11 and 240-pound big man will give Houston great size and interior defense.

The key for the Cougars will be having solid point guard play, now that Jarreau is gone. If either Tyson and Mark can do the trick, this team will win the AAC easily. And as long as the defense remains strong and the frontcourt can produce, Houston won’t suffer a letdown, even without Grimes.