West Virginia’s Javon Small motioned and shouted for a teammate — anyone — to move closer to the basket. When that didn’t work, the Big 12’s leading scorer rushed a 3-pointer just before the shot clock ran out.
Clank.
Small was yet another player held in check by No. 6 Houston, which has made a habit of shutting down opposing teams’ strengths.
The Cougars (17-3, 9-0 Big 12) are on a 13-game winning streak, driven by the best defense in the nation. They take pride in stopping their opponents’ best players.
“We’re a defensive-minded team,” said Houston guard L.J. Cryer after the 63-49 victory over the Mountaineers on Wednesday night. “We go to practice and we emphasize defense a lot.
You achieve what you work on and what you emphasize. When the ball’s not going in, you’ve got to rely on your defense. And on the nights that the ball isn’t going in, we’re going to win because of that.”
Opponents are forced to change their strategy when Houston sends double and triple teams their way. Cryer, Joseph Tugler, J’Wan Roberts, and Terrance Arceneaux took turns making Small’s night difficult. Small attempted only seven shots and scored eight points, almost 12 below his average, which leads the league.
This has been a common trend lately.
UCF’s Keyshawn Hall, who scored a career-high 40 points in his last game, was held to just six points against Houston on 2-for-12 shooting. Utah’s Gabe Madsen managed only eight points on 3-of-10 shooting against the Cougars.
The Utes, who have scored over 80 points 10 times this season, were limited to just 36 points, their lowest total since 2011. BYU’s Richie Saunders, who had scored a career-high 30 points in his previous game, was held to just nine points against Houston.
Houston, with an 18-game conference winning streak dating back to last season, is allowing only 55.6 points per game. That’s 2.4 fewer points than the next best defensive team, Drake. Opponents are shooting just 36% against the Cougars, the worst shooting percentage in the country.
Houston began the season ranked No. 4 but started 4-3, losing in overtime to San Diego State and No. 4 Alabama in Las Vegas, as well as falling to top-ranked Auburn by five points. They haven’t lost since.
Kelvin Sampson, who has been Houston’s coach since 2014, said defense has been the team’s strength for nearly a decade. He’s especially proud that in this era of the transfer portal and NIL opportunities, he has managed to keep the same players. Eight of Houston’s top 10 players returned this season, including four starters.
“And that does make a difference,” Sampson said. “Part of our secret sauce is our program. And then having great kids. Character matters. Having kids you don’t mind losing with.
There’s some teams, whether it’s bad attitudes or wrong attitudes or what, you’re always having to coach that. I never have to worry about effort or attitude. I’m blessed that way. I’ve got a great staff. That’s buoyed us here for a long time.”
Cryer, Houston’s top scorer, is averaging 13.5 points per game, which ranks 18th in the Big 12, closely followed by Emanuel Sharp with 13.4 points per game. Despite this, Houston is scoring enough to lead the nation with a 21-point average margin of victory. They’re also forcing 6.1 more turnovers than they commit, ranking fourth in the country.
“Defensively, they’re just well connected,” said West Virginia coach Darian DeVries. “They’re very aggressive. They really load to the ball. It’s hard to really crack them.”
“Not many teams have.”
