Kelvin Sampson doesn’t like to talk publicly about Houston’s accomplishments.
The next accolade No. 3 Houston can attain is always more important to him than pelts on the wall.
But the Houston head coach allowed a rare moment of reflection leading up to Saturday’s regular-season finale against Baylor in Big 12 play at Waco, Texas.
The Cougars (26-4, 18-1 Big 12) have won nine straight games and earned the conference regular-season crown in convincing fashion. They’ve already cut down the nets — last weekend at Cincinnati — to celebrate the conference championship of the regular season. The closest “competition” entering the final weekend: Texas Tech and Arizona with five Big 12 losses each.
“I think it’s a big deal,” Sampson said of the domination in Big 12 play. “Going 18-1 in this league is unheard of. Guys don’t do that. You have to have some good fortune along the way too. We probably shouldn’t have won the game at Kansas.”
Sampson was referencing a 92-86 double-overtime win over Kansas on Jan. 25. Houston overcame six-point deficits late in regulation and late in the first overtime before controlling the second extra session.
Sampson also admitted luck was a factor in Houston’s 69-68 win at UCF on Jan. 18. J’Wan Roberts’ basket with 1.1 seconds remaining prevented the Cougars from being upset.
Houston’s lone conference loss came when Texas Tech came to town and pulled out an 82-81 upset victory on Feb. 1.
Otherwise, the Houston formula of defense first has been a winning tonic. The Cougars have allowed fewer than 60 points in 11 of their 19 Big 12 games.
Still, Sampson doesn’t want to subscribe to the notion that Houston is playing its best basketball of the campaign.
“I’m never going to say we’re playing our best ball because I prefer to think our best ball is ahead of us,” Sampson said. “We’ve just got to continue to work, that’s the bottom line. Stay humble, keep working.”
The Cougars are 9-0 on the road this season as they invade Baylor (18-12, 10-9). The Bears are a stellar 13-2 at home.
The Cougars won the first meeting 76-65 in Houston on Feb. 10. Former Baylor guard L.J. Cryer scored 14 points to lead Houston and Norchad Omier had 19 points for Baylor.
The Bears have won their past two games after losing six of their previous nine.
However, Baylor can’t feel totally comfortable about its NCAA Tournament hopes. A loss to the Cougars and a first-game exit in the Big 12 tourney would place the Bears firmly on the bubble.
Of course, an upset of Houston would eliminate any anxiety. It would also follow Tuesday’s 61-58 road victory over TCU.
“We’ve been close to the bubble area,” Bears coach Scott Drew said of bracket forecasts. “We’re not used to being in this position and getting a road win like this was huge for that. And at the same time, you’ve got to get momentum, and you’ve got to be playing better.”
Robert Wright III made two free throws with 2.2 seconds left to give the Bears a two-point lead over TCU. Omier split two with one second remaining. Omier recorded 19 points and 12 rebounds for his 18th double-double of the season and VJ Edgecombe added 18 points and seven rebounds.
Edgecombe was impressed with the effort of his teammates.
“When you play with passion, that’s what it’s going to take,” Edgecombe said. “I’m just trying to do all the little things — diving into the bench, whatever it takes to win.”
Edgecombe is second on the Bears with a 14.7 scoring average. Omier leads in both scoring (15.7) and rebounding (10.5).
Cryer leads Houston in scoring (15.0) and 3-pointers (87). He is in his second season with the Cougars after three seasons at Baylor.
Emanuel Sharp is second on the Cougars in scoring (11.8) and 3-pointers (61).
