The mood was celebratory in Kansas City as the Houston Cougars reveled in their Big 12 Tournament victory, holding court at the T-Mobile Center. Emanuel Sharp, named the tournament MVP, was handed a championship belt and hoisted it proudly—but upside down. It was perhaps the only misjudgment from a team that excelled all week.
In the final game against Arizona, Milos Uzan dazzled with 25 points, while Sharp shone again, adding 17. Their robust defense in the concluding minutes ensured a 72-64 win over the Big 12 newcomers. Competing without their injured big man, J’Wan Roberts, the Cougars (30-4) surged ahead with Uzan’s crucial 3-pointer as the game clock ticked down to 5 minutes, effectively shutting out the Wildcats (22-12) to redeem their previous year’s loss to Iowa State in the title game.
Sharp, joined by Uzan and the Big 12’s player of the year LJ Cryer on the All-Tournament team, expressed the team’s bond: “We did a great job of staying together. That’s what coach has been preaching. And that’s why I love this team.”
Dominating the regular-season Big 12, Houston triumphed in 19 of 20 games in the newly expanded league. Their success continued in Kansas City, decisively beating Colorado and No. 17 BYU before coolly dispatching hot-streak Arizona for the championship.
“We never panic,” said Head Coach Kelvin Sampson. “A lot of people around us do, but thank God they’re not coaches and players. We’ve been in these bunkers. We get in a bunker and believe in each other and get to work.”
Despite 19 points from Caleb Love, 14 from Jaden Bradley, and 11 from KJ Lewis, the Wildcats couldn’t manage to replicate Arizona State’s football team’s Big 12 success in its inaugural year. Love reflected on the season, stating: “It was a tough year. A tough conference. And for us to compete with the best of the best, you know, as far as conferences, I’m proud of my guys.”
Wildcats coach Tommy Lloyd was irked by suggestions before the game that it was a match-up of Arizona’s high-octane offense versus Houston’s tenacious defense. “We’re not that bad on defense,” Lloyd retorted.
Indeed, the Wildcats pressured the Cougars from the opening whistle, managing two separate 5-minute spells without conceding in the first half, going into halftime with a 33-28 advantage.
Houston, ranked first nationally in defensive efficiency, was not deterred. Down 40-37, the Cougars clamped down, transforming defense into offense and crafting a 19-6 run over five minutes. Uzan’s basket with 11:40 remaining widened Houston’s lead to a game-high 56-46.
Arizona clawed back to gain a 62-61 advantage, but it was fleeting. Uzan landed a key 3-pointer immediately after, scoring again to cement their position, sealing Houston’s third conference tourney title in five years after dual wins in the American Athletic Conference.
Lloyd, despite the loss, acknowledged Houston’s prowess, saying, “They won the conference by four or five. They won the conference tournament. At this moment they are the kings of the Big 12. I have nothing but respect for them.”
As for injuries, Roberts, dealing with a right ankle sprain from the quarterfinals, warmed up without a protective boot, although he later wore it from the bench, aiming for a March Madness return.
On Selection Sunday, Houston is almost guaranteed a No. 1 seed and is likely to commence their NCAA journey in Wichita, Kansas. Based on their commendable showing, the Wildcats are anticipated to secure a No. 4 seed for the tournament.
