The No. 3 Houston Cougars kept on rolling as they beat the Kansas Jayhawks, 65-59, on Monday night at the Fertitta Center in Houston, Texas.
Houston (26-4, 18-1) got 20 points from guard LJ Cryer, who scored 18 of those points in the first half. He’s been on a tear, averaging more than 17 points in his last 11 games and shooting more than 40% from the 3-point line.
Kansas (19-11, 10-9) was swept by a team for just the third time under coach Bill Self, as the Cougars won their meeting in Lawrence, Kan., earlier this season.
Here are three thoughts on the game.
WILSON’S IMPACT
Mylik Wilson isn’t among Houston’s leading scorers. But in games like this he can made a significant impact.
He scored 10 points. But he also had five rebounds, six assists and four steals. He plays like a guard but has the length to mix it up inside on defense or drive to the basket on offense. Wilson is the “utility man” on this team, the guy that coach Kelvin Sampson turns to when he needs whatever is needed.
And, every once in a while, he does this.
Between Cryer, Emanuel Sharp, Terrance Arceneaux, Milos Uzan and J’Wan Roberts the Cougars have the offense covered. But, in the NCAA Tournament, every team harboring dreams of a championship needs that one player that can do the other stuff that makes a difference. That’s Wilson, and that’s what he did on Monday.
KANSAS’ ROUGH NIGHT
Just like Saturday against Texas Tech, Kansas had execution problems down the stretch of a close game. I mean, just look at Bill Self.
Down three, 59-56, with 3:05 left, Kansas forced stops the next two possessions. But, on the second possession, Cryer got loose under the basket, picked up a loose ball and scored a layup with 1:40 left, making it a five-point game.
Then, on the next Cougars possession, Houston missed two shots but grabbed both rebounds due to poor Kansas blockouts.
Even with 7-foot-2 center Hunter Dickinson, the Jayhawks couldn’t keep the Cougars off the glass, as Houston had 17 offensive rebounds. Plus, Kansas had 20 turnovers.
This came on a night when Kansas shot better than Houston. The Jayhawks could end up being .500 in conference play. Why? Arizona comes to Lawrence on Saturday. It’s hard to have a homecourt advantage when Kansas is playing like this.
SENIOR NIGHT IN H-TOWN
Monday was a big night for Houston. It was senior night. No one got a bigger hug for coach Kelvin Sampson than forward J’Wan Roberts.
The 6-foot-8 forward is somewhat of a rarity now. He’s played his entire career with the Cougars. Nevermind that he’s in his sixth year. He took his redshirt during the 2019-20 season and got the additional COVID-19 waiver that other players received. He’s one of the last COVID waiver players.
He’s also a great example of player development at one program. He’s taken a huge leap this year, becoming an offensive force inside that he wasn’t a season ago. His development has been on a slow burn and the Cougars are reaping the benefit.
Roberts has been effusive in his praise of Sampson and his staff for developing him. On Monday, Sampson honored his seniors. Roberts was last. Just watch Sampson shuffle before embracing Roberts, who will leave Houston as its winningest player.
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
