Docs Website

53 Years Strong! A Trusted Leader In Sports Picks, Best Bets and Predictions Since 1971.

Main Menu

2024-25 Houston Cougars Basketball Predictions and Odds to Win the National Championship

by Ryan Cobbett - 10/31/2024

Houston Cougars basketball predictions Emanuel Sharp

The Houston Cougars basketball program put together one of the best regular seasons in recent memory. They started the season winning their first 14 games and would finish with a 28-3 regular season record and a 15-3 Big 12 record. Their three losses in the regular season were by a combined 18 points, and they went 5-1 against AP Top 25 teams. They dominated their first two conference tournament games, beating TCU and Texas Tech by a combined 28 points, but the tides turned quickly as they were blown out by Iowa State in the title game, losing by 28 points. Despite the blowout loss, the Cougars still had a 1-Seed in the Big Dance. They took down Longwood and escaped with a win in OT against Texas A&M in their second-round matchup. Unfortunately, the Cougars season would come to an end as they lost to 4-Seed Duke by three points in the Sweet 16.

Despite their success, the Cougars were below average on offense last season. They ranked 10th in the conference in PPG, averaging just 73.5 PPG while shooting just 68.7% from the charity stripe. L.J. Cryer was the team leader in points, as he averaged 15.5 PPG while shooting 87.1% from the line and 38.8% from deep. Jamal Shead (12.9 PPG) and Emanuel Sharp (12.6 PPG) were the only other Cougars to average double-digit points. Shead led the team with 6.3 APG, which also ranked 15th in the nation. The pride of this Houston team was their defense. They had the best defense in the country, allowing just 57.6 PPG. They held their opponents to 37.9% FG% and just 30.1% from beyond the arc. Their +15.8 PPG differential as well as their +4.7 SPG differential both ranked inside the Top Three in the country.

Doc’s Sports offers college basketball expert picks for every game on our NCAA basketball predictions page.

Houston Cougars Basketball Key Additions/Losses

Like other members of the Big 12, consistency and returning production will be what keeps the Cougars at the top of the rankings. Their roster is largely the same, with just three players leaving from last season. Shead has gone onto the NBA and will be a large piece of the puzzle missing as Houston heads into the new season. Damian Dunn (6.4 PPG) transferred out of the program to Pittsburgh, while Ryan Elvin (2.9 MPG) ran out of eligibility.

In an effort to replace Shead, the Cougars brought in Milos Uzan, who averaged 9.0 PPG, 3.4 RPG, and 4.4 APG with the Oklahoma Sooners last season. Uzan should join the starting lineup right away and should add to the defensive makeup of this team. In addition to Uzan, the Cougars signed two four-star recruits out of the high school ranks. Mercy Miller (55th nationally) and Chase McCarty (97th nationally) will add some depth to the Cougars bench.

Houston Cougars Basketball X-Factors

Been There, Done That- The Cougars are returning over 70% of their production from last season. Shead is a huge loss both offensively and defensively, but Uzan should slot in just fine into the Cougars system. Cryer and Sharp will expand the floor for the Cougars offensively, while J’Wan Roberts is going to blow up the stat sheet this season.

Nonconference Tournaments- Their first nonconference tournament pits them against #11 Auburn, while their next tournament begins with #2 Alabama. If they move forward in the tournament, they could face one of #12 Texas A&M or #15 Creighton. We should get an idea early on just how dominant this team could be again this season.

Houston Cougars Basketball Notable Games

Home- #8 Baylor, #5 Iowa State, #20 Cincinnati, #1 Kansas

Away/Neutral- #11 Auburn, #2 Alabama, #1 Kansas, #10 Arizona, #8 Baylor

Houston Cougars Basketball Key Odds:

NCAA Champion: +1100

Final Four: +210

Conference Winner: +230

Wooden Award: L.J. Cryer- +3000

Wooden Award: Emmanuel Sharp- +8000

Wooden Award: J’Wan Roberts- +23000

AP Top 25- 4th

Andy Katz’s Power 37- 6th

KenPom- 1st

Houston Cougars Basketball Predictions

Houston will once again head into the season as one of the best in nation as they look very similar to last year’s squad. Cryer and Sharp will get the job done offensively, while Roberts and Uzan will headline a suffocating defensive unit. Their offense has the potential to be even better than it was last season, but the defense will once again carry this team along another deep tournament run. The Cougars took care of business against ranked teams last season and will have to do so again as they head into the season with nine games against ranked teams. I like the Cougars to make the Final Four this season and have a real shot to win the Big 12.

Get college basketball picks on every single game, or if you want our very best bet premium picks by the experts, sign up for your free $60 account with a guarantee.

 

Most Recent College Basketball Handicapping

One E-mail A Week Is All You Need!
Our weekly newsletter is loaded with exclusive free picks,insight and advice from our expert handicappers