NCAA Tournament 2023: 5 teams with most pressure to make a Final 4 run

1. Houston Cougars

There are various reasons why the other teams on this list need to make a Final Four this time around. But Houston is a bit different. The first reason is that they were viewed as a favorite to win it all this year in the preseason and nothing has changed, going 31-3 overall that include wins over Virginia and Saint Mary’s and a 13-game win streak before losing to Memphis in the AAC Tournament.

This is the most talented roster in the Kelvin Sampson era. Star guard and AAC Player of the Year Marcus Sasser is the kind of guard to make a deep run, while freshman Jarace Walker is the NBA talent needed to go up against the more athletic and talented teams.

There’s not only the pressure of winning as the perceived favorite but Houston has a unique situation no one else has this year. The city of Houston hosts the Final Four this year, which would make it a true home game for the program if they win four games in the next two weeks. If that doesn’t happen, that would be a true failure for them.

Plus, there’s no telling what the future holds for the Cougars, as they move to the Big 12 a year this offseason. As long as Coach Sampson is around, they should be competitive but this could be the last time that they’re a 1 seed and in this favorable a position. A Final Four appearance is the minimum for Houston and anything less would be a disappointment.