HOUSTON VS. COLORADO
3 game-changing factors in Houston’s quest for Big 12 Tournament glory
Mar 13, 2025, 10:06 am
The Coogs square off with Colorado on Thursday! Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images.
For the second year in a row, Houston is the top-ranked team heading into the Big 12 Tournament and should be clear favorites to secure its first conference tournament title since joining the Big 12.
Last year, the Cougars came up just short in the conference championship game, but this time, Houston should be able to run through the tournament with ease thanks to an elite roster and having one of the best coaches in the nation.
Stellar guard play
Senior guard LJ Cryer is playing at an elite level and has been the offensive focal point for most of this season. The Katy native leads the team in scoring with 15.3 points per game and is the league’s top 3-pointer shooter, making 43.1% of his shots from beyond the arc.
Houston’s other guard, Milos Uzan has been a perfect pickup in the transfer portal and has become a solid point guard for the Cougars. The junior leads the team with 4.4 assists per game and has stepped up offensively when needed, as seen when he dropped a season-high 22 points against Texas Tech on February 24th.
With the combination of Cryer and Uzan in the backcourt and an elite roster around them, the Cougars have created an excellent recipe for success.
Elite roster
In addition to their backcourt, Houston can attribute their success to J’Wan Roberts.
The senior forward has been with the program for six seasons and is the unquestioned leader of this team. Roberts has been a staple of this rotation since becoming a starter during the 22-23 season. During his tenure, the 23-year-old has become the all-time winningest player in University of Houston men's basketball history, further solidifying his elite school legacy.
Roberts leads the team in rebounds with 6.4 per game and can create his own shots, averaging 11.1 points per game this season.
Complementing Roberts in the frontcourt are Emanuel Sharp and the current Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Joseph Tugler to round out the rest of the starting rotation.
Sharp is a perfect 3-and-D player for this team and Tugler has become the defensive anchor for the Cougars, contributing 2.0 blocks per game.
Houston’s other impact players Mylik Wilson, Terrance Arceneaux and Ja’Vier Francis help give the team depth and solidify their bench.
The Cougars usually play only eight players per game this season, but that is more than enough depth to give Houston a chance to win every game.
Defense and coaching
Current Big 12 Coach of the Year Kelvin Sampson led the Cougars to their second consecutive regular season title with a 27-4 record and are currently the number 2 ranked team in the nation.
Sampson's success can be attributed to a defense-first mentality and knowing how to get the most out of his players year after year.
The Cougars have always had a formidable defense every year since Sampson took over the program, and this season is no different, as Houston is the top-ranked team in defensive efficiency and hold their opponents to 58.1 points per game.
With Sampson at the helm, the Cougars will be well-prepared for the Big 12 Tournament and will have their eyes set on the NCAA Tournament next.
Houston will face Colorado on Thursday at 2 pm to start their Big 12 Tournament play.
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The Astros closed out their latest road trip with a winning record, a feat made more impressive considering the turbulence at the back of the rotation. Brandon Walter and Ryan Gusto both endured rough outings, with Walter in particular getting tagged hard. Still, Houston salvaged the finale, thanks largely to Mauricio Dubón’s breakout performance. The utilityman launched two home runs to power an offense that’s quietly been heating up for weeks.
But even with a solid finish, not everything is trending upward.
Josh Hader, who’s been one of the game’s most reliable closers this season, has begun to show signs of vulnerability. He’s allowed a home run in three of his last six outings. While his overall numbers remain strong, the long ball—a problem that plagued him last year—is starting to creep back into the picture.
As the Astros return home, the schedule offers no breather. They’ll face the Phillies and Cubs before a brief trip to Colorado to take on the struggling Rockies. After that comes a marquee series against the defending champion Dodgers in Los Angeles. With three of their next four opponents being legitimate World Series threats, the coming stretch looms large.
Can the bats keep pace?
If the last month is any indication, the Astros have reason to feel optimistic. Christian Walker has started to show signs of life after a quiet start to the season, hitting .260 with a .762 OPS and five home runs over the past 30 days. José Altuve has been scorching with a .302 average and .901 OPS in that span, while Jeremy Peña has taken things to another level, batting .384 with a 1.009 OPS.
As a team, the Astros rank 7th in OPS, 5th in runs, 3rd in batting average, and 7th in home runs over the last 30 days. It’s a surge that’s come at the right time—and one they’ll need to sustain.
The injury picture is also starting to shift in Houston’s favor.
Cristian Javier threw a 20-pitch live BP today in West Palm Beach. According to Joe Espada, he was up to 95 mph.
Luis Garcia should throw a live BP next week.
Spencer Arrighetti is still not throwing off a mound yet.
Yordan Alvarez has not resumed hitting.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) June 20, 2025
Joe Espada told The Athletic's Chandler Rome that Christian Javier recently threw a live batting practice session, touching 95 mph as he continues his return from Tommy John surgery. JP France has thrown multiple live BPs and could be ready to help if things continue to progress with his shoulder. Luis Garcia, however, remains further away despite undergoing surgery more than two years ago. He's expected to throw a live BP this week.
Spencer Arrighetti (thumb) should be able to return in August, and Lance McCullers has resumed throwing and is currently on the 15-day IL with a foot sprain.
The Astros are winning. The offense is rolling. The reinforcements are on the way. But with a brutal stretch looming, the team’s margin for error is about to be put to the test.
There's so much more to cover! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday.
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