We are well into March and that can only mean “March Madness” is moments away from dominating the entire sports landscape. Before the NCAA Tourney begins however, the schools who have not proven themselves worthy to earn a spot outright must 
punch their ticket through their perspective conference tournament. And although UH men’s basketball is thriving under second-year coach Kelvin Sampson, they are far from a lock to hear their name called on Selection Sunday.
Heading into the American Athletic Conference tournament the second-seeded Cougars have won three in a row and six of their last seven, including wins over UConn (on the road) and Cincinnati bringing their record to 22-8 overall. When you consider the fact that at this point last year, their record was 12-18 that feat is even more impressive.
What isn’t so impressive is the team’s non-conference schedule, giving them an RPI of 75. Although the Cougars have taken tremendous strides this season and have played consistently well, without an AAC tournament championship, they will have to settle for the NIT at best. I don’t think that will be the case however, I think these Cougars are going dancing for the first time since 2010. Here’s four points that support my argument.
1. Carrying Momentum
No one in the AAC (maybe except Temple) is hotter right now than the Cougars entering the conference tourney as UH has won three consecutive games and six of their last seven. Other than Temple, UH is the only team carrying a win streak into the tourney and there isn’t a better time to be clicking on all cylinders.
2. The Road Traveled
Houston and Temple faced off back on February 21 in an intense matchup that ended with Temple squeeking out a 69-66 victory in Hofheinz. Now looking back, that loss may be a contributing factor to how successful Houston’s season turns out.
Temple resultantly got the No. 1 seed in the AAC tourney, while UH locked up the No. 2 seed. Because of that Houston is placed on the lower end of the bracket and avoids playing Temple, UCONN or Cincinatti until the championship round. Instead, they’ll have to go through Tulane, Memphis, UCF or Tulsa and I’m positive Houston likes their chances in those matchups.
3. Beat ‘Em All Before
The Cougars have already notched a victory against every team that they could possibly face in this tournament. Temple is the only team that can make the same claim, and while these circumstances are undoubtedly different, that fact has to give them a sense of confidence.
In previous seasons this hasn’t always been the case, and that (and other factors) could have played a role in the team’s eventual demise. Houston can approach this tournament with an “It’s nothing we haven’t done before” mindset and I believe that can pay dividends.
4. Desperation Out of Necessity
According to several bracketologists for Temple, UCONN and Cincinnatti a conference championship is not entirely necessary for the teams to go dancing. It would certainly remove any doubt but they still have life without it. This is not the case for the Cougars. They need nothing less than three more wins if they want their season to continue. If that doesn’t light a match under them, along with possibly becoming the first Houston tournament team in six years, I don’t know what will.
