Houston is making a serious push toward college basketball’s biggest stage, and it’s time we start having a real conversation about the Big 12 being more than a one-horse race for a No. 1 seed. Kelvin Sampson’s squad has quietly climbed the ranks, moving from a projected 3-seed to a 2-seed in Joe Lunardi’s latest bracketology update. And with the way they’ve been handling their business, it’s getting harder and harder to justify keeping them off that top line.
Right now, the Cougars are sitting seventh overall in the field, according to Lunardi’s projection. That might feel a touch conservative given their recent form, but the top of the bracket hasn’t seen much movement.
Arizona remains unbeaten and firmly in control of a No. 1 seed, while UConn, Duke, and Michigan are holding steady. Joining Houston on the 2-seed line are Nebraska, Illinois, and Iowa State-another Big 12 powerhouse that’s firmly in the mix.
But this isn’t just about Houston’s rise. It’s about the Big 12 flexing its muscle in a season where the conference grind is as real as ever.
The league doesn’t offer many breathers-every night is a battle, every win is earned. That kind of schedule doesn’t just test teams, it forges them.
And if you come out the other side with a strong record, you’ve made a statement.
Houston’s journey hasn’t been spotless-they’ve taken a few hits-but what stands out is how they’ve responded. This team plays like it knows what March demands.
They’ve absorbed the punches, adjusted, and kept pushing forward. That resilience matters, especially when you’re trying to prove you belong among the elite.
Arizona may have the top line locked up for now, but don’t sleep on the Big 12’s potential to land two No. 1 seeds. Both Houston and Iowa State are in striking distance, and with a month of high-stakes basketball ahead, there’s still plenty of room for movement.
If the Cougars keep stacking wins the way they have been, don’t be shocked when they’re sitting on that top line come Selection Sunday. The Big 12 isn’t just deep-it’s dangerous.
And Houston’s making it clear they’re not just trying to hang around. They’re coming for the top.