Houston Basketball: 2021-22 season preview and outlook for Cougars

By Joey Loose | Oct 9, 2021

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 29: The Houston Cougars celebrate after defeating the Oregon State Beavers in the Elite Eight round of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 29, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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Marcus Sasser Houston Basketball (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Projected Starters

Guard – Marcus Sasser (Junior)

Sasser is the leading returning scorer from last year’s Final Four team, putting up 13.7 points per game; a number that will likely grow with the absence of Grimes as the primary scoring threat. Sasser is a big threat from outside the arc, and those numbers should improve even more going into his third season with the Cougars. We’ll see if Sasser blossoms into the big star this season, but he’ll certainly have compliments around the court.

Guard – Kyler Edwards (Senior)

Edwards transfers to Houston from Texas Tech, where he put up 10.1 points and 4.8 rebounds per game last season. He was the Red Raiders’ best 3-point shooter and should get plenty of chances to put up even better numbers this season in Houston’s potent offense. He’ll compliment Sasser quite well in the frontcourt. He’s been a combo guard mostly with the Red Raiders but will certainly get a chance to run this offense moving forward.

Guard – Tramon Mark (Sophomore)

Much like Sasser took a big step forward in his sophomore year, a similar type of growth wouldn’t be a surprise from Mark, a top 100 recruit from 2020. He put up 7.8 points per game last season but has certainly worked his way into additional opportunities, especially with Grimes and Jarreau moving on. Mark has a chance to lead the Cougars in steals, and if he can develop his outside shot (just 24% last season), he can become the next big thing for this Houston program.

Forward – Fabian White Jr. (Senior)

With Gorham and Brison Gresham gone, White slides right up the depth chart and should get a chance to shine in his final season in Houston. After missing much of last season with a torn ACL, White played well in last season’s NCAA Tournament and now gets a chance to cause damage as a starter. He averaged 6.2 points per game and 4.1 rebounds in very limited action last year, though those numbers should see an increase moving forward.

Forward – Reggie Chaney (Senior)

Last year, Chaney started 13 games and averaged 4.7 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. This year, he’s the best returning big man for the Cougars and slides all the way to the top of the depth chart. He has little range as a shooter and scorer but will be an important piece in the middle of the court on both sides of the ball. Look for those numbers to improve as the season goes along.