NCAA Tournament 2023: Ranking the starting lineups of each Sweet 16 team

2. Houston (1-seed)

Tramon Mark (Junior – Guard)

Mark has made up for last time after an injury cost him nearly all of last season; he’s averaging 10.0 points and 4.9 rebounds this year for the Cougars. Nearly every aspect of his game has grown these last two seasons, and he starred in a major way with a 26-point, 9-rebound performance in Houston’s second-round win over Auburn, emerging while the rest of the backcourt dealt with foul trouble against the Tigers.

J’Wan Roberts (Junior – Forward)

Roberts was named both Second Team All-AAC and the conference’s Most Improved Player and the Cougars have gotten a lot out of their new starter. After losing much of last year’s frontcourt, Roberts has really developed into a stud, averaging 10.3 points and 7.9 rebounds per game this year. He had a 20-rebound performance in their AAC title game loss to Memphis and had a double-double in their first-round win over Northern Kentucky a few days ago.

Marcus Sasser (Senior – Guard)

A fantastic bounce-back season from injury has seen Sasser named a First Team All-American and the AAC Player of the Year. He’s one of the best offensive weapons in the nation, averaging 16.9 points and 3.1 assists per game for the Cougars this season. Though he’s been limited in recent weeks by a nagging injury, he bounced back for a 22-point performance in their win over Auburn to get back on track, making five 3-pointers in that win.

Jamal Shead (Junior – Guard)

Forced to play a major role last season in this backcourt, Shead has been even more potent as a junior, winning AAC Defensive Player of the Year and getting himself Second-Team All-AAC honors. Not only is he averaging 10.4 points and 5.4 assists per game, but he led the AAC in assists for a second straight season and was pretty close in steals as well. He’s now been in double figures in seven straight Houston ballgames, including a 13-point, 6-assist outing against Northern Kentucky in round one.

Jarace Walker (Freshman – Forward)

Considered a Top 10 prospect this season, Walker has been a fabulous addition to this frontcourt, starring as a freshman and earning AAC Rookie of the Year honors in the process. He’s averaging 11.1 points and 6.7 rebounds per game in a major role and just had 7 points, 10 rebounds, and a program-record 6 blocks in their second-round victory against Auburn.