Miami Basketball: 3 keys to beat Houston Cougars in Sweet 16 matchup

Defensive rebounding

We’ve spoken about Houston’s defense, but what about its offense? The team ranks ninth in adjusted efficiency according to KenPom, but surprisingly, the Cougars are not an especially sharp-shooting team from the field. Their efficiency rests instead in three factors: limiting turnovers, not getting their shot blocked, and, most importantly, offensive rebounding the heck out of the ball.

Kelvin Sampson’s teams always seem to be voracious rebounders, but these Cougs have taken it to the extreme. Houston ranks fourth in the country in offensive rebounding, pulling down 37.4% of their misses. With the defense pulling its weight on the other end, Houston’s ability to get so many more shots than their opponents make them extremely difficult to beat.

If Miami played Houston a week ago, they likely would have been without the services of center Norchad Omier and his 10.1 rebounds per game. The Arkansas St. sophomore transfer sustained an ankle injury in the ACC Tournament, but was surprisingly able to make it back into the lineup for the Drake game. In just two tournament games, Omier has grabbed 31 rebounds, more than doubling Trayce Jackson-Davis’ total, 17-8, when the two clashed in the Round of 32.

The Hurricanes will need Omier anchoring the middle more than ever against Houston. With 62 minutes played in the Drake and Indiana games, plus nearly five days to rest, fears of his health should be laid to rest.

Miami will need more than just the Nicaraguan big man to control the glass. The Cougars will try to wear Omier down with junior J’Wan Roberts and talented freshman Jarace Walker. The two have combined for 14.6 rebounds per game, but Houston also has eight other players that average 2.3 rebounds per game or better. Rebounding for this team really is a group effort.

Miami will need its guards to get down and dirty to limit Houston’s second chances. Isaiah Wong and Jordan Miller showed their willingness to do just that in the first two rounds, totaling 21 rebounds just on the defensive end.

One indisputable fact in Miami’s favor is that they are a better shooting team than Houston. If Houston can’t get points on second chances, the Hurricanes’ superior shooting can make the difference.