NCAA Basketball: Gonzaga, Houston lead in updated way-too-early top 25 ranking
By Joey Loose
2. Houston
Last season, Houston lost Marcus Sasser and Tramon Mark early on in the season and still ran all the way to the Elite Eight. Kelvin Sampson built a deep and talented roster that picked up the pieces after losing two of their most important players. Some of that rotation is gone, but those two will be back and healthy and ready to make an impact for one of the best teams in the country.
By far the best program currently in the AAC, the Cougars might have the best pair of guards in the country, pairing Sasser with Jamal Shead, who had an impressive sophomore season last year. The Cougars get a top recruit in forward Jarace Walker, who slides in nicely as a compliment on this tough defense. The biggest question mark is how much of a step forward can J’Wan Roberts take, filling the hole left behind by Fabian White and Josh Carlton.
If you could add Sasser and Mark to last year’s Elite Eight roster, you might have had a national champion. We’re expecting a bit of growth from those who remain on this Cougars team, which might boast the nation’s best backcourt. The defense has been elite these last few seasons, if the offense can keep up, then you’ll see Houston playing in April again.