Is Houston the Best Team in the Country Heading into Next Season?
Under coach Kelvin Sampson, Houston has rapidly emerged as a national powerhouse, participating in every Sweet 16 since 2019. Last season was their crown jewel, setting a program record of 35 wins and reaching the NCAA title game, which ended in heartbreak, losing by two to the Florida Gators. With this continuity and talent, Houston enters 2025–26 among the preseason favorites. In fact, every major early top-25 projection has pegged the Cougars at or near the top of the rankings, but is Houston the best team in college basketball?
Houston’s case as the preseason favorite begins with the return of its two most impactful players, Emanuel Sharp and JoJo Tugler. Sharp, the redshirt senior, averaged 12.6 points a game and shot 41% from three. His blend of physicality and shot-making gives the Cougars a go-to option in crunch time, and his experience in big games, like against Duke in the Final Four, adds to his value. Meanwhile, Tugler poses as one of the most promising returners in the country. He anchors the frontcourt as one of the most versatile defenders in college basketball. The six-foot-seven forward earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors after averaging 5.9 rebounds and nearly two blocks per game. While many key rotation players have departed, Houston has a history of developing bench talent into meaningful contributors. Coach Sampson has already been on the record hyping up guys like Mercy Miller and Kordelius Jefferson as ready to take the next step up.
The highest-ranked recruiting class in program history arrives in Houston this summer, headlined by five-star big man Chris Cenac Jr., who’s already projected as a lottery pick. At six-foot-10, Cenac brings athleticism, touch, and rim protection to the center spot, giving Houston a long-term anchor down low. He’s joined by Isiah Harwell, an elite six-foot-five shooting guard with a polished offensive game and strong perimeter defense, and Kingston Flemings, a high-IQ point guard ranked among the nation’s best at his position. All three freshmen are expected to play significant roles immediately, with Flemings and Cenac likely entering the starting lineup on day one. The Cougars also add Bryce Jackson, a four-star sleeper with strong instincts and defensive upside. For a program known more for its development and toughness than flash, this influx of blue-chip talent gives Sampson an exciting new element.
Kelvin Sampson didn’t rely heavily on the portal, but the two pieces he added were both impactful and intentional. Former Texas Tech and Creighton guard Pop Isaacs brings instant offense, veteran savvy, and Big 12 familiarity. Though his 2024–25 season was cut short by injury, he averaged over 16 points per game and showcased deep shooting range and confident scoring. Isaacs fits seamlessly next to Sharp, giving Houston a dynamic backcourt with experience and shooting. The Cougars landed six-foot-11 Kalifa Sakho, a grad transfer from Sam Houston State who will provide depth, rebounding, and rim protection. While not flashy, Sakho’s physicality and length make him a perfect fit for Houston’s defensive scheme.
