HOUSTON COUGARS 30-7 · 2026-27 2ND IN BIG 12
30-7 · 2026-27 2ND IN BIG 12
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Mercy Miller deserves starting role at Houston, could become transfer portal prize | Sporting News The Cougars hit a crossroads before the start of next season.
APRIL 2 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM
Houston freshman guard, former five-star recruit entering transfer portal | Sporting News The Houston Cougars' first-year backcourt contributor is leaving the program.
MARCH 31 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Illinois' defense, net efficiency of top seeds Michigan and Arizona stand out entering Final Four

Michigan and Arizona boast elite efficiency metrics as the two No. 1 seeds to reach the Final Four
MARCH 30 • Associated Press
Two Biggest Transfer Portal Needs for Houston Cougars Houston needs to address a couple areas through the portal to get more consistent.
MARCH 28 • SI.COM
They Are My Life: Inside View of Houston's Emotional Sweet 16 Exit at Toyota Center Inside the postgame press conference and locker room, Kelvin Sampson and his Cougars showed the world what this program is really made of —...
MARCH 28 • SI.COM
"He gotta shoot that b*tch": Jalen Rose wilds out on live TV watching Andrej Stojakovic go nuclear on Houston Cougars Former Chicago Bulls star Jalen Rose had a wild moment on air during the Sweet 16 game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Houston Cougars.
MARCH 28 • SPORTSKEEDA.COM
Emanuel Sharp - Caps Houston career with 17 points Sharp logged 17 points (7-16 FG, 3-10 3Pt), two rebounds, one assist and one steal in 39 minutes during Thursday's 65-55 loss to Illinois.
Impact Sharp was really the only Cougar to show much of anything on the offensive end and even at that, it still took him 10 shots from deep to convert on three of them. The senior guard, who is a rarity in college basketball in that he spent his entire career with one school, reached double figures in the scoring column in 30 of 37 games this season. He ends his career in Houston by averaging a career-best 15.5 points while shooting 37.2-percent from deep.
MARCH 27 • ROTOWIRE
Kingston Flemings - Can't get it going Flemings racked up 11 points (4-10 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), six rebounds and four assists across 37 minutes during Thursday's 65-55 loss to Illinois.
Impact Like many of his fellow Cougars, Flemings struggled to get things going offensively. Flemings closed out the first half with a triple to give him nine points going into the break and it looked like it may light a fire under Houston. However, he only managed three shot attempts and two points in the second half as the Cougars bowed out in the Sweet 16. The standout freshman point guard had an otherwise outstanding season and while his decision for next year is not yet official, it looks highly likely that he'll test the NBA draft waters as a likely lottery pick. If this turns out to be his only season in Houston, he'll end his career with averages of 16.1 points, 5.2 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals while shooting 47.6-percent from the floor and 38.7-percent from deep.
MARCH 27 • ROTOWIRE
Chris Cenac Jr. - Struggles from field Cenac produced six points (3-12 FG, 0-3 3Pt), 10 rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal over 26 minutes during Thursday's 65-55 loss to Illinois.
Impact Cenac crashed the glass for 10 boards, the 14th time this season he's reached double figures, but struggled significantly from the field as Houston fell in the Sweet 16. Cenec just couldn't find the touch with his midrange game despite having a number of open looks. The freshman big man ended his first season with Houston by averaging 9.5 points and 7.9 rebounds while shooting 48.5-percent from the floor. He will now take time to discuss his options before deciding on whether he'll make himself available for the NBA draft or return to Houston for his sophomore season.
MARCH 27 • ROTOWIRE

Houston's season ends in tears after 65-55 loss to Illinois in NCAA Tournament

Playing in the NCAA Tournament just two miles from campus, the stage was set for the Houston Cougars to have an advantage over Illinois
MARCH 27 • Associated Press
Social Media Reacts to Illinois Basketball's Sweet 16 Win Over Houston The Illini came through down the stretch against the Cougars, and social media couldn't get enough of it
MARCH 27 • SI.COM
3 Instant Observations From Illinois' NCAA Tournament Win Over Houston The Illini broke through with their grittiest, greatest performance of the season in a Sweet 16 triumph over the Cougars on Thursday
MARCH 27 • SI.COM
Houston's Revenge Tour Comes to End in Sweet 16 Loss to Illinois The Houston Cougars couldn’t find any offensive rhythm in the loss to Illinois.
MARCH 27 • SI.COM

NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Highlights: Illinois, Arizona Advance

Here are the top moments from Thursday’s Sweet 16 action in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament!
MARCH 27 • FOX SPORTS
NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Highlights: Illinois, Arizona Advance

Illinois clamps down on Houston for a 65-55 March Madness win to reach Elite Eight

David Mirkovic had 14 points and 10 rebounds, and third-seeded Illinois flexed its defensive muscles to eliminate last year’s national runner-up from the NCAA Tournament, beating H...
MARCH 27 • Associated Press
Relive this terrible NCAA tournament technical foul in honor of Illinois vs. Houston The Illinois basketball team is heading to the Sweet 16 for the second time in the last three years and will face off against the No. 2 seed...
MARCH 27 • WRITINGILLINI.COM

2025-26 Men's Sweet 16 Odds: Betting Results for all 8 Games

Check out the odds for each men's NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 game, as well as what to know about the matchups.
MARCH 26 • FOX SPORTS
2025-26 Men's Sweet 16 Odds: Betting Results for all 8 Games
Illinois vs. Houston final odds and a prediction with Brad Underwood ready to make a statement After some days of rest and practice, Illinois is set to take the court again in the NCAA Tournament, this time in the Sweet 16 against the...
MARCH 26 • WRITINGILLINI.COM

Houston Cougars square off against the Illinois Fighting Illini in Sweet 16

The No. 5 Houston Cougars square off against the No. 13 Illinois Fighting Illini in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament
MARCH 26 • Associated Press

2025-26 March Madness Odds: 8 Best Bets for Men's Sweet 16

Here's how Will Hill is wagering on the Sweet 16, including a few 'dogs he's backing to bark.
MARCH 26 • FOX SPORTS
2025-26 March Madness Odds: 8 Best Bets for Men's Sweet 16

Houston embraces a 'home' Sweet 16 game at Toyota Center as Illinois arrives unfazed

Houston is in the Sweet 16 for a seventh straight season, and this trip might be its sweetest yet
MARCH 25 • Associated Press

NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament: Ranking the Top 16 Players in the Sweet 16

FOX Sports college basketball experts Michael Cohen and Casey Jacobsen rank the top 16 players in the Sweet 16 of this year's NCAA Men's Bas...
MARCH 25 • FOX SPORTS
NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament: Ranking the Top 16 Players in the Sweet 16

March Madness: Here's one thing you need to know about each of the 16 teams remaining in men's field

Florida isn’t around to defend its title anymore, but all the other top seeds in this year's NCAA Tournament are still around
MARCH 25 • Associated Press
Transfer portal has already provided a perfect option for Illinois next season The Illinois basketball team is preparing for an epic showdown against the Houston Cougars in the Sweet 16. This will be the first meeting b...
MARCH 25 • WRITINGILLINI.COM

Houston meets Illinois in Sweet 16 matchup

The No. 5 Houston Cougars and No. 13 Illinois Fighting Illini meet in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16
MARCH 25 • Associated Press
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