The Houston Cougars are navigating a rough patch after back-to-back losses to Iowa State and Arizona, both formidable Big 12 contenders. These defeats have knocked the Cougars down a notch in the rankings, as their defense struggled and crucial scoring droughts left them vulnerable at pivotal moments.
Under the guidance of Kelvin Sampson, the Cougars faced a tough challenge. Against Iowa State, they were unable to score in the final five minutes, a dry spell that ultimately sealed their fate. The story was similar against Arizona, where an eight-minute scoring drought in the second half at the Fertitta Center proved costly.
With these performances, Arizona has leapfrogged Houston to claim a No. 1 seed. The Wildcats have been on a roll, securing wins over BYU and Houston, and are now recognized as a top seed by Sporting News Senior Writer Bill Bender, alongside powerhouses like Duke, Michigan, and Iowa State.
For Houston, the focus now shifts to regrouping and addressing these scoring issues. The talent is there, but finding consistency will be key as they look to bounce back and reclaim their standing.