Men's Basketball Poll

#2 Houston Cougars

2024

Overall Record

30-4

Last Game

vs Kansas W 76-46

Conference Record

15-3

Next Game

@Kansas 03/09/2024

FILE - Houston's Jamal Shead plays during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, in Houston. Shead was named The Associated Press Big 12 player of the year Tuesday, March 12, 2024. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)

Jamal Shead’s development propels Houston to second straight No. 1 seed in NCAA Tournament

Jamal Shead wasn’t anywhere near the player he is now when he joined the Houston Cougars in 2020. “When he came in, I thought he was a long way away,” coach Kelvin Sampson said.

UConn guard Cam Spencer (12) and teammates celebrate during the final minutes of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Marquette for the championship of the Big East men's tournament Saturday, March 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

UConn back at No. 1 in AP Top 25 ahead of repeat bid in March Madness; Houston, Purdue, Iowa St next

Houston forward Ja'Vier Francis dunks the ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Texas Tech in the semifinal round of the Big 12 Conference tournament, Friday, March 15, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. Houston won 82-59. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Houston lands No. 1 seed in South Region that also features Marquette, Kentucky and Duke

UConn center Donovan Clingan (32) and Marquette guard Chase Ross (2) fight for a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Big East Conference tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

March Madness is here. UConn, Purdue, Houston and North Carolina get top seeding in NCAA Tournament

Iowa State forward Robert Jones (12) shoots during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Houston in the championship of the Big 12 Conference tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

No. 7 Iowa State blitzes No. 1 Houston in second half, wins Big 12 tourney title 69-41

More News

Houston Cougars and Longwood Lancers square off in the first round of NCAA Tournament

The No. 2 Houston Cougars square off against the Longwood Lancers in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Friday’s matchup is the first this season between the teams.

Houston and Longwood square off in opening round of NCAA Tournament

The No. 2 Houston Cougars and Longwood Lancers meet in the NCAA Tournament opening round. Friday’s matchup is the first of the season for the two teams.

Houston Cougars and Iowa State Cyclones meet in Big 12 Championship

The No. 1 Houston Cougars and the No. 7 Iowa State Cyclones play for the Big 12 Championship. The teams meet Saturday for the third time this season.

Houston guard Jamal Shead, left, avoids a steal by Texas Tech guard Joe Toussaint, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Big 12 Conference tournament, Friday, March 15, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Cryer helps No. 1 Houston ride big second half to 82-59 rout of No. 25 Texas Tech in Big 12 tourney

L.J. Cryer hit six 3-pointers and scored 20 points as top-ranked Houston used a big second half to rout No. 25 Texas Tech 82-59 in the semifinals of the Big 12 Tournament.

Houston takes on Texas Tech in Big 12 Tournament

The No. 1 Houston Cougars play the No. 25 Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Big 12 Tournament. The teams meet Friday for the second time this season.

Sam Houston meets UTEP in CUSA Tournament

The Sam Houston Bearkats and UTEP Miners square off in the CUSA Tournament. Friday’s game is the third meeting this season between the two teams.

TCU guard Jameer Nelson Jr. (4) shoots between Houston forward J'Wan Roberts (13) and guard Mylik Wilson (8) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Big 12 Conference tournament, Thursday, March 14, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

No. 1 Houston shuts down TCU in 60-45 victory in Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals

Top-ranked Houston relied on its defense to shut down TCU in a 60-45 victory in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tournament.

Houston Cougars play in Big 12 Tournament against the TCU Horned Frogs

The No. 1 Houston Cougars play the TCU Horned Frogs in the Big 12 Tournament. Thursday’s game is the second meeting of the season between the two teams.

Houston's J'Wan Roberts, center, holds up the trophy after an NCAA college basketball game against Kansas Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Houston. Houston won 76-46 and finished the regular season as the Big 12 Conference Champions. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Houston, UConn, Purdue remain top AP Top 25 while bluebloods North Carolina, Kentucky on the rise

Houston remains atop the AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll for the third consecutive week. The Cougars received 52 of 62 first-place votes from a national media panel after clinching the Big 12 regular-season title in their first year in the league.

Houston's Mylik Wilson (8) screams after dunking the ball against Kansas during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Top-ranked Houston claims Big 12 regular-season title with 76-46 win over No. 14 Kansas

Jamal Shead had 13 points, six rebounds and eight assists, Damian Dunn added 12 points and No. 1 Houston claimed the Big 12 regular-season title in its first season in the conference, dominating No. 14 Kansas 76-46 on Saturday.

Kansas State guard Tylor Perry looks to shoot under pressure from Iowa State forward Hason Ward (24) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Manhattan, Kan. Kansas State won 65-58. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas State tops No. 6 Iowa State 65-58; No. 1 Houston claims Big 12 regular-season title

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Arthur Kaluma scored 23 points, Cam Carter added 21 and Kansas State beat sixth-ranked Iowa State 65-58 on Saturday, giving the Wildcats’ flickering NCAA Tournament hopes a big boost heading into the Big 12 Tournament.

No. 14 Kansas visits No. 1 Houston following Cryer’s 25-point showing

No. 1 Houston hosts the No. 14 Kansas Jayhawks after LJ Cryer scored 25 points in Houston’s 67-59 victory against the UCF Knights.

Cryer and No. 1 Houston host No. 14 Kansas

No. 1 Houston faces the No. 14 Kansas Jayhawks after LJ Cryer scored 25 points in Houston’s 67-59 win against the UCF Knights.

Houston guard Jamal Shead (1), guard Emanuel Sharp (21) and guard L.J. Cryer (4) celebrate the team's win over Central Florida in an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, March 6, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

No. 1 Houston tops UCF 67-59 to clinch at least a share of Big 12 title in 1st season in conference

L.J. Cryer scored 19 of his 25 points in the second half to lift No. 1 Houston to a 67-59 comeback victory over UCF that clinched at least a share of the Big 12 regular-season title in the Cougars’ first season in the conference.

UCF hosts Cryer and No. 1 Houston

No. 1 Houston visits the UCF Knights after LJ Cryer scored 23 points in the Cougars’ 87-85 win against the Oklahoma Sooners.

Houston Christian visits Lamar after Greene’s 23-point showing

Houston Christian visits the Lamar Cardinals after Marcus Greene scored 23 points in the Huskies’ 87-69 loss to the McNeese Cowboys.

Cryer leads No. 1 Houston against UCF after 23-point outing

No. 1 Houston visits the UCF Knights after LJ Cryer scored 23 points in the Cougars’ 87-85 win over the Oklahoma Sooners.

Wells guides McNeese to 87-69 victory over Houston Christian

Shahada Wells had 24 points to guide McNeese to an 87-69 victory over Houston Christian.

Houston guard Emanuel Sharp (21) and guard Jamal Shead (1) celebrate during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Oklahoma on Saturday, March 2, 2024, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Garett Fisbeck)

Houston holds tight grip on No. 1, Kansas drops out of top 10 for first time in 3 years

Houston still has a tight grip on No. 1 in the AP Top 25 while Kansas is out of the top 10 for the first time in three seasons.

Williams scores 35, Texas A&M-Commerce downs Houston Christian 98-85

The Texas A&M-Commerce Lions defeated the Houston Christian Huskies 98-85 led by Kalen Williams’ 35 points.

Texas A&M-Commerce faces Houston Christian after Williams’ 31-point performance

Texas A&M-Commerce plays the Houston Christian Huskies after Kalen Williams scored 31 points in the Lions’ 85-70 loss to the Nicholls State Colonels.

Cryer and No. 1 Houston host Oklahoma

No. 1 Houston visits the Oklahoma Sooners after LJ Cryer scored 22 points in the Cougars’ 67-59 victory against the Cincinnati Bearcats.

Houston Christian hosts Texas A&M-Commerce after Williams’ 31-point performance

Texas A&M-Commerce takes on the Houston Christian Huskies after Kalen Williams scored 31 points in the Lions’ 85-70 loss to the Nicholls State Colonels.

Cryer leads No. 1 Houston against Oklahoma after 22-point game

No. 1 Houston takes on the Oklahoma Sooners after LJ Cryer scored 22 points in the Cougars’ 67-59 win over the Cincinnati Bearcats.

Houston forward J'Wan Roberts (13) reacts after dunking against Cincinnati during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Cryer scores 22 points, No. 1 Houston beats Cincinnati 67-59 for 6th straight win

L.J. Cryer scored 22 points, J’Wan Roberts added 15 and top-ranked Houston won its sixth straight game by beating Cincinnati 67-59.

No. 1 Houston takes on Cincinnati, looks for 25th win of season

No. 1 Houston will try to earn its 25th victory of the season when the Cougars host the Cincinnati Bearcats. The teams meet Tuesday for the second time this season.

Houston guard L.J. Cryer (4) is greeted at the bench by teammates during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Baylor, Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024 in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Houston rises to No. 1 in AP Top 25 ahead of Purdue, UConn; South Florida makes its rankings debut

Now it’s Houston’s turn at the top of The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll. The Cougars moved to No. 1 for the first time this season in Monday’s latest poll.

No. 2 Houston plays Cincinnati, seeks 25th victory this season

No. 2 Houston will aim for its 25th win this season when the Cougars face the Cincinnati Bearcats. Tuesday’s game is the second meeting this season between the two teams.

Houston Christian and Texas A&M-CC meet in conference matchup

Texas A&M-CC visits Houston Christian in Southland play Monday. Monday’s meeting will be the second of the season between the two teams.

TCU hosts No. 11 Baylor after Walter’s 23-point game

No. 11 Baylor visits the TCU Horned Frogs after Ja’Kobe Walter scored 23 points in the Bears’ 82-76 overtime loss to the Houston Cougars.