NCAA Basketball: Buy or Sell Arizona, Baylor, and Houston as 2024 national title contenders?

Houston Cougars

We already know what Baylor can do in the Big 12. We don't know what league newcomer Houston can do, which is what makes them such an intriguing team right now. Back when they were a member of the American Athletic Conference, the Cougars tended to have a tough schedule to boost its resume.

This year's group isn't as strong but Coach Kelvin Sampson's team still has accomplished some things. They won the Charleston Classic, beating the likes of Utah and Dayton for the title. Houston also beat Xavier on the road, though that win has lost some luster.

They're a team whose recipe for winning remains on defense, ranking 1st in points allowed at 49.7. They have a guy familiar with Big 12 play in Baylor transferer LJ Cryer, who leads the team with 17.8 ppg. Emanuel Sharp (12.9 ppg) is having a breakout sophomore year, while J'Wan Roberts and Ja'Vier Francis have been elite interior defenders.

All of this being said, having Xavier or Dayton being your best wins puts some of those stats in question. And even their weekend opponent (Texas A&M) has slipped a bit. We know this team can compete in the Big 12 a month from now and is setting itself up for a nice seed in the Big Dance. But when it comes to being a genuine national title threat, I still need some convincing.

Sell