Houston Cougars fans, you’re facing UAB Blazers in the NCAA Tournament
The Houston Cougars have got to be the scariest No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
The Cougars (29-5) swept the American Athletic Conference regular season and tournament championships after beating Memphis in the title game at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth on Sunday.
Three of Houston’s five losses were by a combined five points, including at Alabama, against Wisconsin in Las Vegas and at SMU.
#5 Houston Cougars vs. #12 UAB Blazers
Friday, March 18, 8:20 p.m., TNT
South Regional, Pittsburgh
What to look for: Houston is making its 23rd NCAA Tournament appearance and fourth consecutive after sweeping both the American Athletic Conference regular season and tournament championships. Their AAC Tournament championship win over Memphis is only the fourth time in school history Houston has swept both titles and first since 1992.
Meeting history: Houston is 6-18 all-time against UAB. The Cougars won the last meeting at home in 2013 in a Conference USA game.
Why Houston will advance: The Cougars have been a top 25 team (currently No. 18) and rank No. 3 nationally in the NCAA’s NET rankings, which are the primary sorting tool for selection and seeding for the NCAA tournament.
Why Houston will be one and done: UAB has upset history on its side. The Blazers stunned No. 3 seed Iowa State in the first round in 2015, their last tournament appearance.
Expert speak: “Winning DNA. They made the Final Four last year. Having been in the tournament, that stuff matters. Their physicality and their ability to rebound, my thing in the tournament is the games are going to be played in the half court, they’re going to be lower possession, so how do you manufacture extra possessions? Houston’s physicality and ability to offensive rebound bodes very well for them. Are they a Final Four team? Probably not but they’re certainly a Sweet 16 team.” —ESPN college basketball analyst Chris Spatola
This story was originally published March 13, 2022 at 8:28 PM.
