NCAA Basketball: Kansas rises, Duke, Kentucky, and Texas Tech fall in latest top-25 power ranking

5. Houston Cougars - 19-3 (6-3 Big 12)

The Cougars were back on the road this past week, starting with a game at Texas. The Longhorns were on the bubble, needing a signature victory to get on back. The road team’s defense looked strong early on, holding the Longhorns to just 25 points. But a run by Texas pushed the game into overtime. It could’ve gone either way but in the end, Houston found a way to win, 76-72.

Jamal Shead led the way offensively, scoring 25 points on 11/24 shooting, along with eight rebounds and four assists. Emanuel Sharp, LJ Cryer, and J’Wan Roberts all had at least 13 points as well. It was a needed win to stay on top of the Big 12 standings, ahead of a big matchup at perennial national juggernaut, Kansas.

For whatever reason, the Cougars weren’t ready, trailing double-digits early and often. They were down 15 points at the half and the game never was close, ultimately losing, 78-65. Cryer finished with 24 points on 9/20 shooting, with Roberts and Sharp chipping in with 11 points each. As a team, they shot just 36% from the field.

The schedule lightens up for a bit this upcoming week. Up first will be Oklahoma State, a team that showed some life after upsetting Kansas State this past weekend. After that is back on the road at Cincinnati, another bubble team in need of a win.