Houston is inching closer to one of the biggest prizes in college basketball, and it’s time people start realizing the Big 12 has multiple teams worthy of a No. 1 seed. Kelvin Sampson’s group just made a quiet little jump from a 3-seed to a 2-seed in Joe Lunardi’s latest bracket projection, and if they keep handling business the way they have, it’s going to be hard to keep them out of that top line much longer.
The Cougars are ranked seventh in the field according to the update, and even that feels a little low. Still, there hasn’t been much changing at the top, considering Arizona is unbeaten, and UConn, Duke, and Michigan aren’t going anywhere. Alongside Houston on the two-seed line are Nebraska, Illinois, and Iowa State.
This isn’t just about Houston, though. This is about the Big 12 having a legit shot at putting two teams on the top line in March. Arizona is already penciled in as a No. 1 seed by most folks, and they’ve earned that spot. Houston and Iowa State both have a shot at earning the top seed, but the next month will be crucial.
Everyone talks about the grind of the Big 12 schedule, and that’s because it’s real. There are no easy nights, and if you manage to come out with a good record, you’ve done something serious. Houston’s path hasn’t been perfect, but they’ve weathered the storm, taken a few lumps, and responded like a team that knows what March looks like.
If the Cougars keep stacking wins, don’t be surprised when they show up on that top line. The Big 12 might be sending more than one big dog to the bracket.
