7. Houston (13-1)
Wins are what matters at the end of the day no matter how you get the job done. This Houston team has been stockpiling wins the early months of the season but these Cougars don’t have the same metrics and impressive analytics as in recent years. The defense is still elite and perhaps we’ll see more of that on display as Big 12 play really gets going. Still, this team beat Arkansas and Auburn and is looking to make their mark yet again in the conference.
Monday saw the Cougars do enough to get the job done in a 69-60 win over Middle Tennessee. Kingston Flemings had 15 points and defensive stalwart Joseph Tugler added 13 points to knock off the Blue Raiders. The first game of conference play was a closer call, as the Cougars trailed at the half before coming back for a 67-60 win at Cincinnati. Houston won their first road test of the season, getting 19 points and 6 assists from Flemings and an 18-point showing out of Milos Uzan.
Thanks to recent Big 12 success and last year’s trip to the national title game, Houston absolutely has a target on their back. They’re going to get the best effort from many of their league rivals this season. They need players like Uzan to really step up here in league play if they want another conference crown because the road ahead isn’t easy. An interesting matchup with Texas Tech comes in just a few days before hitting to road to take on Baylor.