Houston's recent skid might have some fans on edge, but Coach Kelvin Sampson remains unfazed. The No.
2 Cougars are set to take on No. 8 Kansas in a Big 12 clash, hoping to snap their two-game losing streak.
Despite dropping games to No. 6 Iowa State and No.
4 Arizona, Sampson's perspective is clear: "Don't overreact to your losses," he said after the 73-66 defeat to Arizona. "This conference is good, and losses are part of the journey."
The Cougars (23-4, 11-3 Big 12) have been dominant, but the recent setbacks remind us that even the best can stumble. Kansas, their next opponent, is also looking to rebound after a tough 84-68 loss to Cincinnati.
The Jayhawks (20-7, 10-4) have had a mixed bag recently, with two losses in their last three games. Their struggles were evident as they were outplayed by Cincinnati, particularly on the boards and from beyond the arc.
Flory Bidunga was a bright spot for Kansas, posting 18 points and 12 rebounds. However, he noted the team's lack of respect for their opponent, a sentiment not entirely shared by Coach Bill Self.
"Things happen, and you've got to stay together," Self emphasized. The message was clear: competitiveness is key, no matter where or who you play.
Darryn Peterson, battling through cramping issues, managed 17 points against Cincinnati but struggled from three-point range. Despite this, Peterson leads the team with a 19.8-point average and 45 three-pointers in just 16 games. Bidunga and teammates Tre White and Melvin Council Jr. are also crucial contributors, each adding double-digit scoring averages.
Houston has had Kansas' number recently, winning their last three encounters, including two victories last season. The Cougars had been on a roll with six straight wins before their recent losses. Veteran guard Milos Uzan stressed the importance of learning from these defeats, saying, "It's super important to stay together."
Kingston Flemings, who put up 17 points against Arizona, is Houston's leading scorer with an average of 16.6 points and 5.2 assists. Emanuel Sharp, another key player, averages 16.4 points and leads the team with 74 three-pointers, while Uzan adds depth with 11.1 points and 4.1 assists per game.
As both teams gear up for this pivotal matchup, the focus will be on resilience and execution. Houston aims to halt their slide, while Kansas looks to regain their footing in what promises to be an intense Big 12 battle.