Could be an overreaction but maybe we're seeing the slow decline of Houston's elite level play. They'll lose 3 guard to the NVA and probably Censc

At 6:16 left in the game, Pryce Sandfort made a 3 to take the lead against Iowa. The TBS broadcast showed Matt Rhule in the crowd.

After said basket, Nebraska went on a 5 minute and 9 second scoring drought and got outscored 15-6 for the rest of the game. pic.twitter.com/dJ3KIvIIl6

— Stephen Glansberg (@RenobHawk) March 27, 2026

Illinois is definitely playing well on the defensive end, but UH is getting enough open looks to get the job done. However, when you can't hit the side of a barn getting open looks doesn't matter.

Exactly. Houston has generated tons of open looks. They just aren't hitting ***** Illinois isn't exactly a defensive juggernaut. Houston is just flat shutting the bed

If UH grabbed that board they had a chance to get a little momentum going

Bet Sampson ends his 1 n done experiment this off season.

IowaBear said:

---

Could be an overreaction but maybe we're seeing the slow decline of Houston's elite level play. They'll lose 3 guard to the NVA and probably Censc

---

Kelvin may have a lot of spots to fill. The 4 you mentioned (Uzan and Sharp - eligibility up; Flemings and Cenac - NBA draft), Mercy Miller is reportedly wanting to go back to LA and one of Bama's fansites says McCarty's people have apparently been contacting SEC schools. And technically Sakho's eligibility expires unless they give JUCOs another year. That just leaves Tugler and the 5 star who sat on the bench all year who is also said to be unhappy.

Maybe Sampson is getting close to retirement. Would be weird to see him and Sekf retired

I've enjoyed watching Arizona's offense more than any other in college basketball this year. They are a well oiled machine.

Trying to remember the last time I've seen UH shoot this bad. Bottom line I can't remember.

Never thought I'd see UH play like complete dog poo.

RIP to that part of my bracket.

This is Illinois team is nothing special. Houston just **** the bed for 40. Note to self don't pick offensively challenged teams to win in March

Thought the Coogs might at least have a prayer when they got it to single digits with 6 minutes to go - then bang - Illinois opens up a 17 point lead. This one's over.

What a horrible attendance turnout for Houston in Houston.

That.. and Sampson's complaints on NIL may drive him out.

I will say Sharp has gotten hammered the last two times down the court for Houston. He should've had an and one on his layup make and then he should've had three free throws on the three-point attempt. No calls on either one..

Wow Zona with 104 points and 3:32 to go. 25 point lead on arky.

Kelvin was basically given a home game and got eliminated in the Sweet 16. Starting to think he's never gonna get a title. There isn't that much sand left in the hourglass before retirement.

B12 was overrated this year. Possibly just AZ left after tomorrow. Think there was a significant gap between AZ and the rest of the B12

IowaBear said:

---

This is Illinois team is nothing special. Houston just **** the bed for 40. Note to self don't pick offensively challenged teams to win in March

---

Well.. they are the tallest team in the nation.. even moreso than Arizona.. and pretty damn skilled.

Tough combo.

Big12Fan2024 said:

---

Kelvin was basically given a home game and got eliminated in the Sweet 16. Starting to think he's never gonna get a title. There isn't that much sand left in the hourglass before retirement.

---

That part is actually OK by me since I developed a pretty heavy dislike for the guy that goes back to when he was with OU. He obviously has a history of owning Drew, but I'm glad Drew's one win over him was the one that counted the most.

Sampson was always one of those guys skirting and breaking the rules and it finally caught up with him. Booted him. Then houston who nobody cares about gave him a shot and then rules changed to do what he always did.

Well managed career. Hes 73 or so. Eventually you tealize theres little time left and what do you want to do with it.

IowaBear said:

---

B12 was overrated this year. Possibly just AZ left after tomorrow. Think there was a significant gap between AZ and the rest of the B12

---

Can't make those kinda statements based on a 3 week tournament of random matchups.

Big 12 was best and deepest conference by far. Doesn't guarantee anything in tournament.

Stefano DiMera said:

---

IowaBear said:

---

This is Illinois team is nothing special. Houston just **** the bed for 40. Note to self don't pick offensively challenged teams to win in March

---

Well.. they are the tallest team in the nation.. even moreso than Arizona.. and pretty damn skilled.

Tough combo.

---

Basically a Euro league professional team starter kit

Big12Fan2024 said:

---

I've enjoyed watching Arizona's offense more than any other in college basketball this year. They are a well oiled machine.

---

I think our game against them was probably the best we played all year.

Your boy Mack Rhoades was who bailed him out of show cause jail.

Never understood the top 5 comment. UF and Houston weren't on the top 3's (Michigan, AZ, Duke) level and it wasn't particularly close.

Illinois is different this year. Pro size and supremely skilled with a decent defense (finally) and elite rebounding. They can 100% win it.. didn't pick them and don't expect it but they definitely can and are clearly in that second tier.

Fre3dombear said:

---

Stefano DiMera said:

---

IowaBear said:

---

This is Illinois team is nothing special. Houston just **** the bed for 40. Note to self don't pick offensively challenged teams to win in March

---

Well.. they are the tallest team in the nation.. even moreso than Arizona.. and pretty damn skilled.

Tough combo.

---

Basically a Euro league professional team starter kit

---

Or an Eastern European Olympic team.

Fre3dombear said:

---

Stefano DiMera said:

---

IowaBear said:

---

This is Illinois team is nothing special. Houston just **** the bed for 40. Note to self don't pick offensively challenged teams to win in March

---

Well.. they are the tallest team in the nation.. even moreso than Arizona.. and pretty damn skilled.

Tough combo.

---

Basically a Euro league professional team starter kit

---

Yep. I don't understand everyone comments here when usually this board knows ball.

That looked like a pro euro team out there. Teams miss "open" shots a ton against Houston too.. there's a reason for that.

Their size basically nullified everything Houston does. When they can't generate rebounds, their offense is just not very good. Pretty simple.

Not sure what that opinion is based on. But from what I've seen the B10 is the best/deepest league. Of course just my opinion

Post game show on TBS talking about is this the end of line for Sampson.

Big 12 may be totally different next year.

KState.. Cincy ... Arizona St ..Possibly Houston and Kansas..

Fred Hoiberg with the season on the line pic.twitter.com/EHMAQSOGHp

— John Kurtz (@jlkurtz) March 27, 2026

IowaBear said:

---

I'm worried about Houston. They'll crush Iowa… if they get past Illinois

---

Houston looked like dog**** on the offensive end until the final eight minutes.

But credit Illinois. They game-planned Houston well on both ends of the floor. They also out-physicaled them on the boards, which is not easy to do.

IowaBear said:

---

Bet Sampson ends his 1 n done experiment this off season.

---

There is a reason you see very few teams led by freshmen win it all.

Experience matters in March.

While Sharp and Uzan were key returners, they really missed having LJ Cryer and J'Wan Roberts.

Kingston Flemings and Chris Cenac are decent, but they are still freshmen, and are prone to making freshmen mistakes.

When you are having a horrible night shooting the ball, the crafty veterans are often the one's who find ways to manufacture points and get their teams back on track.

Bottom Line: If you want to go far in March, then you're best served having 3 and 4-year players leading the way.

Men's college basketball has gotten bigger in 2026

13 of the Sweet 16 teams have an average height of at least 6'6'' pic.twitter.com/8BVjrued4n

— Lev Akabas (@LevAkabas) March 26, 2026