By SAM LANCE
There’s a new king of the Big 12 conference on the hardwood. And its Kelvin Sampson and the Houston Cougars.
Houston defeated Arizona on Saturday, 72-64, to win its first ever Big 12 tournament title. The Cougars have now gone 22-1 overall against Big 12 competition this season and have dominated one of the best leagues in America.
It’s now been back-to-back regular season titles, a conference tournament title and a 39-5 overall Big 12 record for Houston in its two years in the league. The Cougars are the first team in over 100 years to join a major conference and win the regular season their first two years of membership. They also hold a Big 12 record of 14-straight road wins.
“Every game we play is such a big game,” Sampson said. “It’s an honor for us to be in this conference and represent our conference.”
Houston was one point away from sweeping the Big 12 this year. A one-point loss at home to Texas Tech in overtime is the only time the Cougars have fallen.
“This season has been about the Houston Cougars,” Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark said as he handed the trophy to Sampson.
These Coogs really got more Big 12 titles than seasons played in the Big 12
#Big12MBB | @Phillips66Gas pic.twitter.com/ZAWO8QcQia
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) March 16, 2025
The title game against Arizona was a battle throughout. Houston spurt off on a 12-2 run in the second half to take a 10-point lead, but Arizona stormed right back with a 16-5 run of its own to put the Wildcats up 62-61 with 5:32 to play. From there, the Houston’s defense locked in. The Cougars didn’t allow a field goal the rest of the game and held Arizona scoreless for 3:53 after it took the lead. Houston closed on an 11-2 run.
Houston’s guards were great for a second-straight game. Senior guard Milos Uzan had 23 points, four rebounds and four assists to lead the way and was followed by junior guard Emanuel Sharp with 17 points. Uzan and senior guard LJ Cryer landed on the all-tournament team along with Sharp, who was named MVP.
“We did a great job of coming together,” Sharp said. “It was a tough game. We were down at half, but we stayed together. And that’s what coach has been preaching lately and that’s why I love this team.”
The Cougars now sit at 30-4 and are primed to receive a No. 1 seed on Selection Sunday.
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