Top Twenty

VYPE’s Top 20 hoops entering postseason

VYPE’s Top 20 hoops entering postseason
Cy Falls: Houston’s best chance to get to state. @cyfallshs

Originally appeared on Vype.com

That’s a wrap. The 2018 hoop season is a virtual wrap as we are on the eve of the playoffs.

The regulars jam up the Top 5 with Cy Falls, Dekaney, Sam Houston, Clear Lake and Bush leading the way most of the season.

So who are the other teams who have legit chances are reaching state? Yates for sure in Class 4A. Dekaney, Klein Forest, Klein Oak, The Woodlands and College Park will battle in Class 6A Region II, while Region III will be a blood bath. Class 5A is a big of a toss-up with Shadow Creek and Elkins coming out of District 23-5A and Humble in 21-5A.

It’s going to be fun, but let’s see how all the district titles shake out this week.

WEEK OF FEBRUARY 13TH

Rank

Team (Record)

Comment
1Cy FallsHouston’s Best Chance to Get to State
2DekaneyEpps is a Difference-Maker
3Sam HoustonCan They Do it For Kendric?
4Clear LakeRegion III Sleeper
5BushSenior Heavy
6Yates12-0 Going into Postseason
7EisenhowerJust Behind Dekaney in District
8Shadow CreekYoung and Hungry
9Tompkins1st Ever District Title
10WestsideFell to Power Sam Houston
11DickinsonWinning Through Adversity
12Morton RanchMavs Trying to Hold Onto Second
13Elkins7 Straight District Wins
14Deer ParkSurprisingly Consistent
15Klein ForestCoach Black Got 400th Win
16Strake JesuitCould be Sneaky in the Postseason
17HightowerRocky Road
18Klein OakBest Comeback Story in HTown
19AtascocitaKobe Wilson Playing Well
20College ParkQ and the Crew Beat TWHS

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The Coogs are back in action on Saturday night. Photo by David Becker/Getty Images.

Wichita, Kansas – Saturday, 8:40 p.m. EDT

The No. 1 seed Houston Cougars (31-4) take on the No. 8 Gonzaga Bulldogs (26-8) in a highly anticipated second-round showdown of the NCAA Tournament. The Cougars, dominant in the Big 12 with a 22-1 record, bring the nation’s top-ranked defense to the court, while the Bulldogs, the West Coast Conference powerhouse, counter with one of the most efficient offenses in the country.

Defense vs. offense: The ultimate battle

Houston boasts the best defense in the Big 12, holding opponents to just 57.9 points per game on 38.1% shooting. The Cougars will be tasked with slowing down a Gonzaga squad that averages 84.6 points per game over its last 10 outings and shoots an impressive 50.1% from the field.

On the other side, Houston’s offense is averaging 72.1 points per game in its last 10 contests, a figure that will be tested against a Gonzaga defense allowing 67.6 points per game. The Cougars have a slight edge from beyond the arc, making 8.1 three-pointers per game compared to Gonzaga’s 7.3 allowed.

Key players to watch

For Houston, LJ Cryer has been the go-to scorer, averaging 15.2 points per game, while Milos Uzan has stepped up recently, contributing 14.7 points over the last 10 games. The Cougars will also lean on their defensive intensity and ability to force turnovers to disrupt Gonzaga’s rhythm.

Gonzaga is led by Graham Ike, who is averaging 17 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. Khalif Battle has also been a key contributor, posting 15.3 points and 1.6 steals per game in the past 10 contests. The Bulldogs’ ball movement will be crucial, as they average 20.4 assists per game in their last 10 contests, a stark contrast to Houston’s 9.0.

Game outlook

Houston enters as a 5.5-point favorite, according to BetMGM Sportsbook, with the over/under set at 140.5 points. If the Cougars can impose their defensive will and limit Gonzaga’s transition game, they stand a strong chance of advancing. However, if the Bulldogs find their offensive groove early, Houston may be in for its toughest test of the tournament so far.

Expect an intense, physical battle where the team that dictates the tempo will likely punch its ticket to the Sweet 16.

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