NCAA Basketball: Buy or Sell Arkansas, Baylor, Houston, UNC, Texas, Texas A&M and UCLA?

Houston

The Cougars have been one of the best programs in the country in recent years, a testament to the hard work that Kelvin Sampson and his staff have put in. Elite players have come and gone, with names like Marcus Sasser and Jamal Shead even becoming All-Americans in recent years. Another talented and experienced team is assembled in Houston, though this past weekend certainly did not go as expected.

There was no drama on opening night in a 57-point win over Jackson State, but Houston failed their first big test of the season on Saturday. The Cougars lost by 5 points in what became a fierce battle at home against a feisty Auburn quad. Houston’s offense played efficient basketball, but the interior defense was worked by Johni Broome and the Tigers, leading to their first loss of the season.

Losing in their hometown is a tough pill to swallow, but we’re still buying what the Cougars are selling us. It’s far too early to give up on a team that should only gel as the season progresses, especially if LJ Cryer and J’Wan Roberts can continue putting up numbers. After all, Houston played well against Auburn, they were just outplayed in one of the best games of the opening week of hoops. Expect more fireworks and even better defensive pressure in the weeks ahead.

Buy