NCAA Basketball: Kentucky, Arkansas fall in latest top 25 power ranking
By Joey Loose
5. Houston (5-0)
This may be their first season in the Big 12, but this Houston squad looks like they could potentially win the league in year one. While the roster looks a little different than years past, Kelvin Sampson has acquired a ton of talent in recent offseasons and the Cougars are playing like a championship contender on the court so far.
A busy week began with a 79-48 win on Monday against Stetson, with a 21-point effort from LJ Cryer leading the charge. The Cougars then headed to the Charleston Classic and have looked impressive, starting with a 65-49 victory on Thursday against Towson. Cryer had 18 points in that win in the first round of that tournament. Though they faced a slightly tougher opponent on Friday, Houston coasted to the finals with a 76-66 win against Utah, featuring a 13-point, 12-rebound effort J’Wan Roberts.
The Cougars can boast five wins already this season, including over what might be a Top 50 opponent in Utah. Their defense has been absolutely stellar to this point in the season, giving up 50 or fewer points in those first four games before doing enough against the Utes. They’ll play the title game in the Charleston Classic against Dayton on Sunday before heading home to face Montana after Thanksgiving.