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Utah coach Craig Smith did not hold back when he was asked about Houston on Wednesday night.
“They are a team that can win it all,” he said after a 70-36 drubbing from the Cougars, tying the least points scored by a team in a Big 12 matchup.
Hard to truly argue.
The Cougars, who got beat up a little in a stout nonconference schedule, have won 11 straight. They have the best defense in the country, whether it’s statistically or just from the eye test.
And they sit atop the conference.
So, what’s the knock against Kelvin Sampson’s surging squad? Quad 1.
Houston has three Quad 1 losses. In three games.
That doesn’t seem right for a team like the Cougars. And it could change sooner than later.
They have road games at Kansas and West Virginia up next. Then they host Texas Tech.
That Quad 1 record could easily flip.
But even that blemish is easy to overlook. Houston is the new No. 1 in this week’s Big 12 power rankings.
More: March Madness bracketology update: Top seeds, bubble watch, teams on the rise and falling
Jan 22, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Utah Utes forward Keanu Dawes (8) attempts to shoot as Houston Cougars forward J’Wan Roberts (13) and guard L.J. Cryer (4) defends during the second half at Fertitta Center. The Cougars defeated the Utes 70-36. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
Last week: 2
This week: at Kansas (Saturday); at West Virginia (Wednesday)
What to know: Houston has the best defense in the country. And a team that holds another Big 12 team to just 36 points — THIRTY SIX! — deserves the top spot in the conference.
Last week: 1
This week: at Arizona State (Saturday); at Arizona (Monday)
What to know: The Cyclones’ offense has been steadily impressive all season, until it was a mess at West Virginia. That’s likely a fluke for this team. And a loss could be a good thing, a motivational…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/big-12-mens-basketball-power-114539581.html
Author : The Oklahoman
Publish date : 2025-01-24 11:45:00
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