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- All hail Houston
All hail Houston
Cougars claim another Big 12 title, and sure seem headed toward a No. 1 seed next month. Also, Michigan slogs its way past Nebraska, Kansas holds off Colorado and more Monday results. Plus, Utah fires Craig Smith, Fresno State says it'll keep Vance Walberg, and IU Indy's rough ride.
Mike Miller
February 25, 2025
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1. Cougars earn revenge vs. Tech, clinch Big 12
Maybe it’s time for Houston to move to the SEC. It’s got the Big 12 beat.
The No. 4 Cougars outlasted No. 10 No. Texas Tech, 69-61, for a road win that not only avenged their only league loss of the season, but clinched at least a share of the regular-season title. That makes back-to-back titles for Houston (24-4, 16-1 in Big 12) in its first two years in the Big 12.
That made it the first team to win a major conference title in its first two seasons in a league since Idaho won the Pacific Coast Conference in 1922-23. (Yes, that’s a real stat.)
“It was for sure something to celebrate,” Emanuel Sharp said, via the Houston Chronicle. “We’re not going to take this for granted. Not a lot of teams can be in this position like we are. We appreciate it.”
Coach Kelvin Sampson was a bit more muted.
“We’ve won a few conference championships. We’ll celebrate when the time comes,” he said. “But right now, it’s more about rest and get ready for Saturday.”
Not that it was an easy win. The Cougars held No. 10 Texas Tech (21-7, 12-5) to just 29.8% shooting, but it still scored .98 points per possession because it grabbed 17 offensive rebounds, made 21 free throws and stayed aggressive all game — despite missing two starters in Darrion Williams and Chance McMillan. Both were out with injuries.
Tech only played six players, and was clearly won down by the end of the game. It had trouble containing Houston’s Milos Uzan (22 points) on drives. His 3-pointer with 45 seconds left essentially sealed the win.
Houston can clinch the title outright with an Arizona loss on Wednesday, or by beating Cincinnati at home on Saturday. And with wins over Kansas and Baylor in their final two games, they’ll have a case to be a No. 1 seed come Selection Sunday. That would give them 10 Quad 1 wins, third in WAB, and top 3 in every advanced metric site.
That’s a 1 seed.
2. Michigan slogs its way past Nebraska + more scores
Michigan’s offense has been a thing of beauty most of the season. Behind their two big men and a fleet of shooters, the Wolverines can put up points in a hurry.
Except on Monday.
