Mailbag: Houston eyes Big 12 Tournament run as No. 2 seed

Houston men’s basketball is headed to the Big 12 Tournament as the No. 2 seed. 

The Cougars are slated to start their tournament run with a game against the winner of No. 7 West Virginia and No. 10 BYU. Editor in chief Camryn Alberigo and managing editor Alejandro Compean answered fan questions ahead of their trip to Kansas City. 

How are the freshmen and newcomers preparing mentally for this tournament, and what kind of advice did they get from the veterans? — @thisisnotmark/X 

Camryn: When I asked redshirt senior guard Emanuel Sharp what advice he has for the freshmen, since they haven’t been through March Madness before, he said, “They haven’t been through March, but I have seen them rise to the occasion multiple times; sometimes they are picking us up when we are playing bad.”

This year’s team is unique, featuring two freshmen in the starting lineup. Those being guard Kingston Flemings, the team’s leading scorer, and forward Chris Cenac Jr., the team’s top rebounder. Both have had games where they outperformed their upperclassmen counterparts, and vice versa. Throughout it all, the pair has received widespread praise for the leadership of Sharp, senior guard Milos Uzan and junior forward JoJo Tugler.

Why so focused on a 3s or nothing offense? —@FreddieJaypan/X 

Alejandro: I wouldn’t call it a 3-pointers or nothing offense, but this is definitely a Houston team more prone to jump shots than in seasons past. Houston is attempting 25.8 3-pointers per game this season, up from 20.7 in 2024-25.

In large part, it’s due to Houston’s lack of a consistent go-to scorer on the interior who could create for himself, leverage his size and consistently attract defensive attention.

Oftentimes last season, forward J’Wan Roberts was a safety valve at Houston’s disposal. Roberts could take over games late and provide a few baskets in stretches where perimeter shots weren’t falling, and it needed something to steady the ship.

Over the past three games, Houston has gotten junior forward JoJo Tugler more involved offensively. Tugler has scored in double figures in every game of that stretch, including strong second halves.

As coach Kelvin Sampson has noted, Houston’s offense is also at its most potent when generating points off of turnovers, and in transition off of defensive rebounds, leading to less reliance on scoring in the halfcourt with defenses set. In its last three games, Houston has averaged 23.3 points off of turnovers. It comes after Houston struggled to generate giveaways during its three-game losing skid.

Houston can definitely survive with its more jump shot-heavy diet, but it will need to have some of its key hallmarks in place, such as rebounding on both the offensive and defensive glass, as well as continuing to force turnovers at a steady rate.

Do you think the bench improvement will serve the team well, potentially playing three games in three days? —Richard Alberigo/Email

Alejandro: When Houston played three games in three days during November’s Players Era Festival, its bench looked a bit different than it does now.

The improvements of graduate forward Kalifa Sakho, sophomore guard Mercy Miller and redshirt freshman forward Chase McCarty have been some of the key storylines throughout conference play, and should serve Houston well in the Big 12 tournament.

It’s easy to forget, but Sakho was sidelined a majority of the offseason with Sampson often describing the beginning of conference play as Sakho’s September, with him just now rounding into form. 

It’s the same for Miller and McCarty, who have both found themselves averaging double-digit minutes per game in that same time frame. 

Miller hardly played in conference play last season and did not record a single field goal made, but has become another key scoring option off the bench with the ability to attack the rim and draw free throws.

A left wrist injury in late January slowed McCarty for a few games, but he has since rebounded with his most consistent stretch of the season, including a career-high 20 points and six 3-pointers against Oklahoma State in the regular season finale. 

Sampson usually shortens the rotation around this time of year, and the trio of Sakho, Miller and McCarty should be seeing a consistent dose of minutes, while providing some relief to Houston’s starters.

Assuming our record and strength of schedule will keep us a No. 2 or better in March Madness, will Sampson manage starters’ minutes more conservatively in the conference tournament? —JW Ogg/Facebook

Alejandro: By this point, the knicks and bruises have piled up, no matter who it is on the team. However, every rotation player for Houston is healthy with no setbacks to mention ahead of Thursday.

That, combined with Houston’s desire to win every game ahead of it and the youngest team of the Sampson era, leads me to believe it will give its best shot at winning the conference tournament. 

There’s added meaning this time around, as it gives the starting freshman duo of guard Kingston Flemings and forward Chris Cenac Jr. potentially three extra games against Big 12 competition, including the conference’s best, which will help with the NCAA tournament looming and the stakes increasing tenfold. 

Following McCarty’s breakout performance and improved play from Sakho and Miller, the Big 12 tournament also allows them to build upon their closing stretch of conference play.

Barring an injury, a lopsided game or foul trouble from its starters, I still expect them to play their usual minutes in the Big 12 tournament.

How far in the tournament does the team have to go to make it to the South Regional and potentially play at Toyota Center?— Richard Alberigo/Email

Camryn: Before No. 6 UConn lost to Marquette during its final regular-season game, the Huskies were holding the last No. 1 seed. 

These projections are what initially put Houston in line for the Midwest region. It is very unlikely that UConn would leapfrog both Houston and Florida, even with a Big East tournament win. If No. 4 Florida secures a No. 1 seed, Houston will likely be slotted as the No. 2 seed in the South region. 

Florida is projected to win the SEC tournament, with its main competition coming from No. 15 Alabama and No. 17 Arkansas. Meanwhile, for Houston to enter the final No. 1 seed conversations, it needs to put on a strong showing in the Big 12 tournament, win the championship game and have Florida stumble at the same time.

Houston also faces stiffer competition, with five Big 12 schools ranked in the AP top 25, including Big 12 regular-season champion Arizona at No. 2.

As long as Houston makes it to the Big 12 title game and Florida plays well in the SEC tournament, the Cougars should be in good shape to stay as the South region’s No. 2 seed.

What are we eating? — @Burnercoog2/X

Camryn: Joe’s Kansas City BBQ is a must-try if you are headed to the tournament. Be prepared for some sweet BBQ and a line around lunchtime. 

The Yard Milkshake Bar is offering a Big 12 Bracket Buster Shake featuring chocolate chip cookie-dough ice cream with a chocolate and marshmallow drizzle, topped with a bracket brownie and a basketball-shaped sucker. These shakes can also be customized in Houston colors.

Inside the T-Mobile Center, every school has a featured concession item. Shasta’s Brisket Tacos are available at Stand 110. I am tempted to try Cosmos’ Churros at Stand 113 and Big Jay’s Loaded Mac & Cheese at Stand 106, too.

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