THE MADNESS BEGINS
3 must-have ingredients for a Houston Cougars championship run
Mar 19, 2025, 10:46 am
The Coogs square off with Southern Illinois this Thursday. Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images.
For the third year in a row, the Houston Cougars men’s basketball team will enter the NCAA Tournament as a number one seed and will face off against another Cougar school in Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville.
As it currently stands, Houston is a -28.5 favorite to win this game and should handle this team easily, so long as they can continue their defensive dominance and find ways to create consistent offense.
Trust the offense that got you here
In addition to having one of the best defenses in the nation, the Cougars are showcasing they have an elite offense as well thanks to multiple players who can take over a game with ease.
Senior guard LJ Cryer has been one of the most consistent scorers for Houston, averaging a team-high 15.2 points per game, but had some help recently carrying the offensive load from two of his fellow starters.
Forward Emanuel Sharp had two of his best games of the season during the Big 12 Tournament, and guard Milos Uzan scored a career-high 25 points in the conference championship game against Arizona.
Even if Cryer has an inefficient offensive game like he did against Arizona, Houston has either Sharp or Uzan to help maintain this offense when needed.
In addition to their offense, Houston has been successful this season thanks to their depth. They will also be getting a starter back just in time for the start of the NCAA Tournament.
J’Wan Roberts' health
During Houston’s first-round game against Colorado, senior forward J’Wan Roberts suffered an ankle injury and missed the remainder of the Big 12 Tournament.
X-rays on Roberts' ankle were negative, but Houston still wisely sat out their star forward for their final two games.
All signs indicate the 23-year-old will be ready to play once the NCAA Tournament starts on Thursday, even if it is on a limited basis.
Roberts returning to this rotation will only further bolster Houston’s offense and defense, as he is averaging 10.8 points per game and is the team's leading rebounder.
Defense wins championships
Houston boasts one of the best defenses in the nation and holds their opponents to a measly 58.5 points per game.
Head coach Kelvin Sampson instills a defensive-first mentality into his team year after year, and this season is no different.
This may be one of the best teams Houston has ever had, and when fully healthy, the Cougars can make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
Houston’s game against SIU Edwardsville will be Thursday at 1 pm, and the winner will play either Georgia or Gonzaga in the next round.
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The Houston Astros will look to even their series against the Oakland Athletics on Friday night at Minute Maid Park after a rare misstep at home in Thursday’s opener.
Despite the 5-2 loss, Houston (60-43) remains firmly in first place in the AL West and continues to be one of the league’s toughest teams at home, entering Friday with a 33-20 record at Minute Maid. The Astros also boast a 40-19 mark in games where they collect at least eight hits — a number they'll be aiming for as they try to generate more consistent offense.
Rookie right-hander Ryan Gusto (6-3, 4.46 ERA) gets the ball for Houston in what will be his 15th start of the season. Gusto has had his ups and downs but continues to show promise, posting 77 strikeouts over 80.2 innings. He’ll be looking for a bounce-back performance after a shaky outing last weekend.
Oakland counters with left-hander Jeffrey Springs (8-7, 4.34 ERA), who’s put together a solid but inconsistent season. The A’s (43-62) sit at the bottom of the AL West but have shown they can hang with Houston — they’ve now won four of the seven meetings between the two clubs this season.
The Astros will again count on Christian Walker, who leads the team in RBIs and continues to provide steady middle-of-the-order production. Rookie Brice Matthews has also turned heads with three homers in his last 10 games, showing flashes of the power and athleticism that earned him a call-up.
Oakland’s offense, meanwhile, is anchored by Tyler Soderstrom (18 HR) and surging rookie Nick Kurtz, who is hitting an eye-popping .500 (19-for-38) with nine doubles, a triple, and four homers in his last 10 games.
Both teams are coming in with similar recent form — Houston is 5-5 over its last 10, with a team ERA of 3.81, while Oakland is 4-6 with a 4.34 ERA in that same span.
Friday marks the eighth meeting of the year between the division rivals, with Houston holding a narrow 4-3 edge in the season series. According to BetMGM, the Astros enter as -159 favorites, with the over/under set at 8 runs.
With the trade deadline looming and a tight divisional race unfolding, every game matters — and for Houston, bouncing back Friday night could help restore momentum as they push toward the stretch run.
Injuries
Starting pitcher Brandon Walter heads to the 15-day IL with left elbow inflammation. RHP Nick Hernandez has been recalled.
We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/P89oHwDhJx
— Houston Astros (@astros) July 25, 2025
Game 2 starting lineup
Game 2⃣.
⚾️: 7:10 PM
🏟️: Closed
📺: @SpaceCityHN
🎙️: @SportsTalk790 | Spanish: 93.3 FM#BuiltForThis x @reliantenergy pic.twitter.com/NptD6yHelh
— Houston Astros (@astros) July 25, 2025
What stands out? Cam Smith is back in the leadoff spot, with Jose Altuve in the two-hole and playing second base. Victor Caratini will serve as the DH and hit third, followed by Christian Walker (1B), Yainer Diaz (C), and Cooper Hummell (LF). Mauricio Dubon will hit seventh and play third base, with Chas McCormick patrolling center field, and Zack Short hitting ninth and playing shortstop.
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