Its been debated a bit here
This thread is sure to annoy @chaseallen_44 at some point
I have seen many (including myself) say that we don't really have a shot to win on Saturday
But let's dive into Houston Basketball a bit
#6 Houston
17-3 (9-0)
Net: 2
Here's some numbers on Houston:
#1 overall in Kenpom
#8 in Kenpom offense
#1 in Kenpom defense
That defense particularly... Jesus H.
Houston has held their opponents to 60 points or less 16 times this season
They have held their opponents to 50 or less 15 times this season
They are allowing 55.3 points a game #1 in the country
In conference play they have held...
@Okie State to 47
BYU to 55
TCU to 46
@K State to 57
WVU to 54
Utah to 36
@WVU to 49
Offensively they average around 76 a game
and in quite a few of their wins they aren't even breaking the 70 point mark
They only have 3 players averaging double digits
L.J. Cryer with 13
Emanuel Sharp with 12
and Jwan Roberts with 10
They're not overly flashy offensively
But, I mean you don't have to be when you play defense the way they do
Here's where things get interesting
They have mopped the floor with lesser teams
blowout after blowout
However, when they play upper level squads
Teams with a pulse... its kinda been a struggle
So far this season, upper level teams they have played:
Auburn - L 74-69
Alabama - L 85-80
San Diego State - L 73-70
Kansas - W 92-86
In fact, they are only 3-3 in Quad 1 games
Their 3 Quad 1 wins are Kansas, UCF and WVU
A pattern I have seen in fact, if a team is able to get past the 60 mark on them, they really struggle
They have allowed 60 or more 5 times this season
Auburn - L 74-69
Alabama - L 85-80
San Diego State - L 73-70
Kansas - W 92-86
UCF - W 69-68
Outside of Auburn and Alabama, Texas Tech will be the best rated offense the Cougars have played, especially in conference play.
Texas Tech coming in at #11 in Kenpom Offense and averaging 82 a game.
Overall, when you really start to break the numbers down, Houston has feasted on "lesser than" teams this season.
But they haven't done much more than that.
They are certainly playing with more chemistry as a team since conference play begun.
They aren't 9-0 for no reason.
But really, Houston also hasn't been fully tested yet in the Big 12 either
Really nice win at KU but it took a miracle at the end to get that dub
And they haven't played Iowa State, Arizona or Texas Tech yet.
They kinda haven't beaten anyone of note besides Kansas this year
Look, their defense is good enough that you could go in and get destroyed Saturday at the Furtitties Center
They are also on a 33 game win streak at home, haven't lost in Houston in a hot second
plus they are long, physical and extremely well coached
And you probably wont be fully healthy
BUT... there are certainly some interesting holes in that armor...
I think we are still figuring out exactly how good Houston is right now
And we will find out fast.
8 of their last 12 games are Quad 1 opportunities
And they still have 5 games left vs Texas Tech, Arizona, Iowa State and KU to finish this out
Starting with the Red Raiders coming to Houston Saturday
tl;dr Red Raiders might really have a chance in H Town
This thread is sure to annoy @chaseallen_44 at some point
I have seen many (including myself) say that we don't really have a shot to win on Saturday
But let's dive into Houston Basketball a bit
#6 Houston
17-3 (9-0)
Net: 2
Here's some numbers on Houston:
#1 overall in Kenpom
#8 in Kenpom offense
#1 in Kenpom defense
That defense particularly... Jesus H.
Houston has held their opponents to 60 points or less 16 times this season
They have held their opponents to 50 or less 15 times this season
They are allowing 55.3 points a game #1 in the country
In conference play they have held...
@Okie State to 47
BYU to 55
TCU to 46
@K State to 57
WVU to 54
Utah to 36
@WVU to 49
Offensively they average around 76 a game
and in quite a few of their wins they aren't even breaking the 70 point mark
They only have 3 players averaging double digits
L.J. Cryer with 13
Emanuel Sharp with 12
and Jwan Roberts with 10
They're not overly flashy offensively
But, I mean you don't have to be when you play defense the way they do
Here's where things get interesting
They have mopped the floor with lesser teams
blowout after blowout
However, when they play upper level squads
Teams with a pulse... its kinda been a struggle
So far this season, upper level teams they have played:
Auburn - L 74-69
Alabama - L 85-80
San Diego State - L 73-70
Kansas - W 92-86
In fact, they are only 3-3 in Quad 1 games
Their 3 Quad 1 wins are Kansas, UCF and WVU
A pattern I have seen in fact, if a team is able to get past the 60 mark on them, they really struggle
They have allowed 60 or more 5 times this season
Auburn - L 74-69
Alabama - L 85-80
San Diego State - L 73-70
Kansas - W 92-86
UCF - W 69-68
Outside of Auburn and Alabama, Texas Tech will be the best rated offense the Cougars have played, especially in conference play.
Texas Tech coming in at #11 in Kenpom Offense and averaging 82 a game.
Overall, when you really start to break the numbers down, Houston has feasted on "lesser than" teams this season.
But they haven't done much more than that.
They are certainly playing with more chemistry as a team since conference play begun.
They aren't 9-0 for no reason.
But really, Houston also hasn't been fully tested yet in the Big 12 either
Really nice win at KU but it took a miracle at the end to get that dub
And they haven't played Iowa State, Arizona or Texas Tech yet.
They kinda haven't beaten anyone of note besides Kansas this year
Look, their defense is good enough that you could go in and get destroyed Saturday at the Furtitties Center
They are also on a 33 game win streak at home, haven't lost in Houston in a hot second
plus they are long, physical and extremely well coached
And you probably wont be fully healthy
BUT... there are certainly some interesting holes in that armor...
I think we are still figuring out exactly how good Houston is right now
And we will find out fast.
8 of their last 12 games are Quad 1 opportunities
And they still have 5 games left vs Texas Tech, Arizona, Iowa State and KU to finish this out
Starting with the Red Raiders coming to Houston Saturday
tl;dr Red Raiders might really have a chance in H Town
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