Busting Brackets
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Big 12 Basketball: 10 biggest questions entering 2023-24 season

By Cole Amundson

Mar 11, 2023; Kansas City, MO, USA; The Texas Longhorns and Kansas Jayhawks line up for the National Anthem before the first half at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Amy Kontras-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2023; Kansas City, MO, USA; The Texas Longhorns and Kansas Jayhawks line up for the National Anthem before the first half at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Amy Kontras-USA TODAY Sports /
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Head coach Kelvin Sampson of the Houston Cougars talks with Jamal Shead. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Head coach Kelvin Sampson of the Houston Cougars talks with Jamal Shead. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

2. Can Houston stay a top-ten program in a tougher conference?

Kelvin Sampson made an interesting analogy regarding the coaching competition of his program’s new conference during Big 12 Media Day by comparing the Big 12 Conference’s coaching to a dog park.

"“It used to be that you could look at a few of those little dogs and go, ‘I can get that one, I can get that one, I can get that one.’ I ain’t seen nobody I can get in this conference. That’s the difference. They’re all German shepherds, man. Where’s the shih tzus? Where are the Chihuahuas at? Oh, that’s a Rottweiler. Oh, my God. That’s a pit bull. This is a tough dog park, man.” (Quote via Myron Medcalf, ESPN)"

Sampson, who led the Houston Cougars to a Final Four in 2021, has averaged nearly 30 wins per season since the 2017-2018 season. Although the win-loss column might take a bit of a dip in the Big 12, expect the Cougars to remain a top-ten-level program throughout the season.

Entering the season ranked seventh in the AP Top 25 Poll and third in KenPom’s preseason rankings, the Cougars will look to rely on experienced guard-play with the likes of the 2022-23 ACC DPOY Jamal Shead and Baylor transfer LJ Cryer alongside a talented frontcourt with J’Wan Roberts and Ja’Vier Francis.

Sampson was also able to add Temple transfer Damian Dunn — who averaged 15.3 PPG for the Owls last season and should play a significant role this upcoming season for the Cougars.

Potential breakout players to keep an eye out for? Emmanuel Sharp and Terrance Arceneaux. Arceneaux — a former four-star recruit — had some growing pains his freshman season but will certainly have an expanded role this year. Sharp, who is entering his redshirt sophomore season, posted solid numbers last year and will look to get more consistent minutes in 2023-24.

The Cougars check off all of the boxes of a talented, deep and experienced team to remain a top-ten program nationally. Even amidst the daunting Big 12, Kelvin Sampson has the pieces in place to make a deep run come March and take trip to Phoenix.

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