J'WAN ROBERTS NEWS

Houston on the wrong side of gritty and ugly finish against Florida in national title game

The end of national championship game was gritty and ugly, just the way Houston usually likes it

APRIL 8 • Associated Press

2025 March Madness highlights: Florida wins national title in a nail-biter

Florida came back to eke out a 65-63 win over Houston for the national championship on Monday. Here are the highlights!

APRIL 8 • FOX SPORTS

Salvageable performance in loss Roberts closed Monday's 65-63 loss to Florida with eight points (3-13 FG, 2-4 FT), eight rebounds and three blocks over 35 minutes.

Impact Roberts had a tough time hitting the basket as he made just 23 percent of his attempts, his lowest mark since Feb. 22, however, the senior guard logged a team-leading eight rebounds for the fourth time in his last five performances. He finished out the year with averages of 10.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steals on 30.2 minutes across 36 starts.

APRIL 7 • ROTOWIRE

Houston's J'Wan Roberts shot 150 free throws every practice - and it paid off Practice makes perfect.

APRIL 6 • KANSASCITY.COM

Duke's push for 6th NCAA title falls apart in unlikely late collapse against Houston in Final Four

Duke's push for its sixth national championship ended abruptly and in unlikely fashion with the Blue Devils squandering a double-digit second-half lead

APRIL 6 • Associated Press

Shows out in Final Four Roberts closed Saturday's 70-67 victory over Duke with 11 points (4-11 FG, 3-4 FT), 12 rebounds, five assists, one block and two steals over 35 minutes.

Impact Roberts was an impactful producer during this contest, finishing with his first double-double since Mar. 8. The senior forward has finished with more than 10 rebounds in two of his last three outings and will look to extend his current form during the championship game against Florida.

APRIL 5 • ROTOWIRE

2025 NCAA Men's Tournament injury updates: Cooper Flagg, Tyrese Hunter, more

Chance McMillan and Chad Baker-Mazara are among the key players questionable to continue in the 2025 NCAA Men's Tournament.

MARCH 24 • FOX SPORTS

Looks healthy as Cougars advance Roberts produced 18 points (9-18 FG, 0-2 FT), eight rebounds, five assists and two steals in 32 minutes during Saturday's 81-76 victory over Gonzaga.

Impact Roberts played a full compliment of minutes, tallying 18 points while finishing two rebounds shy of a double double as Houston advanced to its fifth-straight appearance in the Sweet Sixteen. Roberts added five helpers and two steals while his point total represented the most points he has scored since early January. The Cougars have apparently dodged a bullet as the senior forward looks fully healthy following missing two games during the Big 12 tournament with an ankle injury.

MARCH 22 • ROTOWIRE

In starting lineup for first round Roberts (ankle) is part of the Houston team's starting lineup for its first-round game Thursday against SIU-Edwardsville.

Impact Roberts was expected to be part of Houston's starting lineup Thursday, and the expectation has come to fruition. As a redshirt senior, he has 10.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Currently, Roberts' 10.8 PPG is a career best, and the forward's 6.3 RPG marks his third consecutive season with an average of more than five boards. At the very least, Roberts is expected to re-acclimate into action so that Houston can be prepared for future games.

MARCH 20 • ROTOWIRE

Expected to be available Roberts (ankle) is expected to be available for Houston's first-round clash with SIUE, Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports reports.

Impact Roberts himself said he was going to play, and his head coach Kelvin Sampson has now echoed that sentiment. The senior forward missed the last two games of the season for the Cougars, but he'll return just in time for the tournament. Roberts averages 10.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists.

MARCH 19 • ROTOWIRE

Houston a top seed for 3rd straight year, looks to make deeper run after 2 Sweet 16 losses in a row

Houston earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year and will open against first-time qualifier SIU-Edwardsville in Wichita, Kansas, on Thursday

MARCH 16 • Associated Press

Says he is ready Roberts (ankle) says he is ready for Houston's game Thursday against SIU-Edwardsville at Indianapolis, according to Jason Bristol of KHOU.

Impact Roberts was filmed confidently saying he is ready for Houston's next game. Even though one of the redshirt senior's ankles will be re-evaluated Monday, his confidence indicates he is more probable than questionable. Obviously, this is welcome news for Houston. UH's first-round game is expected to be as easy as it could be for the team before harder matchups follow. Roberts being available Thursday gives him the easiest chance to re-acclimate before his collegiate career finishes.

MARCH 16 • ROTOWIRE

Re-evaluation Monday Roberts (ankle) will be re-evaluated Monday for his NCAA tournament status, according to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports.

Impact As of Sunday, Roberts is receiving treatment for his injured ankle. The very next day should see more clarity on Roberts' injury, which may dissipate before the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Houston won this year's Big 12 Conference tourney but will look to avoid a repeat of last season, in which its campaign was cut short in March Madness' Round of 16, not helped by an injury to then-superstar Jamal Shead. Roberts is good as it comes for the Cougars, so it is imperative they get him back come the NCAA tournament.

MARCH 16 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play in Big 12 title game Roberts (ankle) will remain out in Houston's Big 12 Championship game matchup with Arizona, Chris Baldwin of Paper City Mag reports.

Impact Roberts is reportedly out of his walking boot and his ankle is responding well to treatment, but he won't be available against the Wildcats. He will, however, return for the NCAA Tournament. That'll be a big boost for Houston, as the senior forward averaged 10.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.0 steals as an every-game starter.

MARCH 15 • ROTOWIRE

Not expected to play Saturday Roberts (ankle) is not expected to play Saturday in order to be closer to full health for the upcoming NCAA Tournament, Joseph Duarte of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Roberts has a low-lateral right ankle sprain, according to team trainer John Houston, but the Cougars aren't going to risk him. The recovery process is going well, and Roberts didn't have any significant swelling or discoloration when he woke up Friday, so he seems to be headed in the right direction. Roberts is likely to sit out Saturday's game to allow the injury to heal before the start of the NCAA Tournament next week.

MARCH 14 • ROTOWIRE

Out vs. BYU Roberts (ankle) is out for Friday's game against BYU, Joseph Duarte of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Roberts was initially considered a game-time call, but the big man won't be playing after exiting Thursday's win over Colorado with an ankle problem. The 6-foot-8 senior is averaging 10.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, one steal and 0.7 blocks across 31 starts this season

MARCH 14 • ROTOWIRE

GTD against BYU Roberts (ankle) will be a game-time decision for Friday's matchup with BYU, Joseph Duarte of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Roberts, who exited Thursday's game against Colorado with an ankle injury, will come down to a game-time call for the Cougars. The 6-foot-8 senior, who is averaging 10.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, one steal and 0.7 blocks across 31 starts this season, is expected to be held out for the sake of his NCAA Tournament availability.

MARCH 14 • ROTOWIRE

Leaves win over Colorado Roberts (ankle) didn't return after dropping two points and three rebounds in Houston's 77-68 win over Colorado in the Big 12 Tournament Quarterfinal, Joseph Duarte of the Houston...

Impact Roberts is now questionable for the rest of the Big 12 Tournament after spraining his ankle against the Buffaloes. Houston appears to be taking a cautious approach with March Madness right around the corner and the Cougars squarely in the title race. It remains to be seen if he'll be available for Friday's clash with BYU, but X-rays were reportedly negative after the game.

MARCH 13 • ROTOWIRE

Texas Tech's JT Toppin selected by Big 12 coaches as league's top player and newcomer

Texas Tech sophomore forward JT Toppin has been selected by Big 12 coaches as the league’s player and newcomer of the year

MARCH 10 • Associated Press

Double-double in tight win Roberts had 11 points (4-8 FG, 3-5 FT), 10 rebounds and one assist across 38 minutes during Saturday's 65-61 victory over Baylor.

Impact Roberts continues to do the dirty work down low for a Houston team with a spectacular 19-1 conference record. It was the fifth-year senior's first double-double since Feb. 4 and third overall of the season. Roberts and the Cougars will carry the top seed and a 10-game winning streak into next week's Big 12 tournament.

MARCH 8 • ROTOWIRE

Produces with rugged effort Roberts registered 16 points (3-10 FG, 10-12 FT), seven rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal over 31 minutes during Monday's 69-61 win over Texas Tech.

Impact Roberts connected on just 3-of-10 shots but made up for it by getting to the charity stripe 12 times and converting on 10 to provide 16 points during Houston's big road win. Roberts added seven boards, three assists, ticked the box score with a steal and a block and helped to hold star-forward JT Toppin to just 14 points on 18 shot attempts. It was the seventh time this season Roberts has topped the 15-point barrier and the senior forward is averaging a career-high 11.4 points per game. However, after shooting no worse than 59.6-percent from the floor over the previous three seasons, that production has shrunk to a career-low 51.8-percent this season, including the most recent stretch of games in which he's shot 30-percent or worse in three of the last four contests.

FEBRUARY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Collects second double-double Roberts produced 14 points (6-10 FG, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist and one steal over 38 minutes during Tuesday's 72-63 victory over Oklahoma State.

Impact Roberts provided his second double-double of the season, accumulating 14 points on 6-for-10 shooting and 10 boards with seven of those coming off the offensive glass. The senior forward leads Houston with 6.8 rebounds per game and is adding 14.8 points in 11 games since the start of conference play.

FEBRUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Excelling during conference play Roberts registered 18 points (6-15 FG, 6-9 FT), seven rebounds, three assists and three steals across 39 minutes during Saturday's 82-81 OT loss to Texas Tech.

Impact Roberts scored 18 points while adding seven boards, three assists and three steals Saturday, though it wasn't enough as the Cougars fell in OT to Texas Tech. Roberts did also commit a season-high five turnovers but despite those miscues it was a nice rebound performance after posting just five points and six boards in his last outing. Roberts is averaging a career-high 11.3 points per game this season but has really taken over during conference play. Through 10 conference games, Roberts is averaging 14.9 points, 6.5 boards, 2.3 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.7 blocks across 33.3 minutes per contest.

FEBRUARY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Leads Cougars to impressive win Roberts finished with 24 points (10-21 FG, 4-9 FT), nine rebounds, five assists and one steal over 46 minutes during Saturday's 92-86 2OT win over Kansas.

Impact Roberts put together arguably the best performance of his career Saturday in a big spot against Hunter Dickinson and the Jayhawks. Roberts finished with a season-high 24 points while dishing out five assists and finishing just one rebound shy of his second double-double this season. The senior forward put together his fourth 20-point effort of the season, with all four performances coming since the start of conference play. Over that stretch of eight games, Roberts is averaging 15.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.8 blocks across 32.4 minutes per contest.

JANUARY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Closes the show Roberts closed with 21 points (10-17 FG, 1-2 FT), nine rebounds and one assist over 35 minutes during Saturday's 69-68 victory over UCF.

Impact Roberts led the way for the Cougars Saturday, scoring Houston's final eight points including putting in the game-winning layup with 0:01 remaining. It was the second-consecutive game and the third time since the beginning of conference play that Roberts has scored at least 20 points. After averaging just 7.7 points and 6.7 rebounds across 26.7 minutes during the non-conference slate, Roberts has picked things up since the start of conference play, averaging 15.2 points and 6.5 rebounds across 31.3 minutes.

JANUARY 19 • ROTOWIRE