Kelvin Sampson has made the most out of a second chance.
The former “Show Cause” coach has Houston in a position where they could be returning back to the Final Four. The Cougars fell to Baylor last season.
This year’s team is just as formidable. Per KemPom, Houston in ranked in the top 10 in Offensive and Defensive Efficiency.
After a ho-hum win over UAB, the Cougars followed it up with a 15 point win over Illinois.
For Arizona, it was the opposite. The Wildcats struggled with TCU in the 85-80 overtime win.
The game included a controversial call when it appeared that Mike Miles (TCU) was fouled at midcourt. Had the foul been called, Miles would’ve attempted two free throws for what could’ve been the game winner.
But give first year head coach Tommy Lloyd some credit. He’s be able to get Arizona and its fans away from the Sean Miller/FBI debacle and to a program that could be built for long-term success.
The Wildcats might not have the KenPom numbers the Cougars have but their Offensive Efficiency is 7th in the nation while their defense is 17th.
Keys:
Defense: Both teams’ defense is a good place to start. Houston doesn’t rely on causing turnovers but they are darn good at it and it allows them to have their offensive possession to start in transition. That’s a key for the Cougars tonight. They can’t start an inordinate amount of possessions taking the ball out of the basket.
Boards: Arizona will have to do better on the glass than they did against TCU. The Horned Frogs had 20 offensive rebounds that contributed to keeping the game as close as it was. Houston is one of the better offensive rebounding teams in the country. If the Cougars have two and three cracks in a single possession to score, it could be a long night for Arizona.
Kriisa’s Play: Kriisa is the heart and energy of the Wildcats. After having a sprained ankle that sidelined him, he came back against TCU to shoot 1-10. In a game that is sure to have its share of physical play, Kriisa’s feistiness could serve as an energy boost to the Wildcats and a message to the Cougars. His ball-handling is also a big plus when it comes to dealing with Houston’s pressure. Oh yeah… and he will have to shoot better. If you’re an Arizona fan, you will chalk up Kriisa’s struggles from the floor to getting back into a groove.
