Houston turned their NCAA Tournament opener Thursday into a defensive masterclass, throttling SIU-Edwardsville 78-40 in a game that wasn’t even close by halftime. Jamal Shead ran the show with 12 points and nine assists, but it was the Cougars’ relentless pressure that stole the spotlight—holding their opponents to a measly 34% from the field and forcing 21 turnovers that turned into easy buckets. After last year’s Elite Eight exit, Houston’s back with a vengeance, and they’re looking like the team to beat. Are we watching the next national champs?
Step onto the court—first half, Shead picks a guard’s pocket, zips a pass downcourt, and J’Wan Roberts throws down a dunk that rattles the rim. That’s the Houston way: swarm, steal, score. Their defense is a brick wall—eight blocks, a dozen steals—and they didn’t let SIU-E breathe, much less shoot. Offensively, they’re no slouch either; LJ Cryer came off the bench to drop 16 points, including a couple of silky threes that stretched the lead to 30. By the final buzzer, it was a laugher, and the Cougars were flexing like they knew it.
This isn’t just a hot start—it’s a blueprint for March domination. Houston’s got the nation’s stingiest defense, a knack for turning mistakes into points, and a roster deep enough to weather any storm. Kelvin Sampson’s been here before, and while his Final Four record’s spotty, this team feels different—grittier, hungrier, more polished. Fans are already calling it a title lock, and with Gonzaga up next in a clash of styles—fast versus suffocating—it’s hard to bet against them. That 23% championship probability floating around? Might be underselling what we saw Thursday.
The road’s long, and Sampson’s got to prove he can close the deal, but this opener was a loud warning to the field. SIU-Edwardsville was just the appetizer; Houston’s got bigger fish to fry, and they’re bringing the heat to do it. If they keep locking teams down like this, cutting down nets in April isn’t a dream—it’s a plan. Buckle up; the Cougars are coming for it all.
