Houston Cougars Aim for Second Straight Final Four

Three key players will determine the Cougars' March Madness tournament run

Mar. 16, 2026 at 11:24pm

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The Houston Cougars are back in the NCAA Tournament for the eighth straight season, this time as the No. 2 seed in the South Region. After making it all the way to the national championship game last year, the Cougars have a new-look roster with two freshmen starters. Three players in particular will be crucial to Houston's chances of returning to the Final Four: senior guard Emanuel Sharp, freshman forward Chris Cenac Jr., and senior point guard Milos Uzan.

Why it matters

Houston is one of the top teams in the country and has high expectations to make another deep tournament run. The Cougars have the potential to be a title contender, but they'll need their veteran leaders and emerging young stars to step up in the pressure-packed NCAA Tournament.

The details

Sharp, the senior leader, has been an elite scorer and tough defender for Houston over the past few seasons. However, he's cooled off lately and the Cougars need him to rediscover his hot shooting touch. Cenac Jr., a highly touted freshman forward, has provided a different dimension with his ability to score from the perimeter and the paint. When he's playing well and grabbing double-digit rebounds, Houston is a different team. Uzan, the senior point guard, has been inconsistent this season after a strong junior campaign. If he can regain his aggressive, efficient form, it will take pressure off freshman star Kingston Flemings and give the Cougars a potent one-two punch in the backcourt.

  • The Cougars made it to the national championship game in 2025.
  • Houston is the No. 2 seed in the South Region of the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

The players

Emanuel Sharp

A senior guard who has been a vital scorer and elite defender for the Cougars over the past few seasons. He'll need to rediscover his hot shooting touch for Houston to make another deep tournament run.

Chris Cenac Jr.

A highly touted freshman forward who has provided a different scoring dimension for the Cougars. When he's playing well and grabbing double-digit rebounds, Houston is a much more dangerous team.

Milos Uzan

The senior point guard has been inconsistent this season after a strong junior campaign. If he can regain his aggressive, efficient form, it will take pressure off freshman star Kingston Flemings and give the Cougars a potent one-two punch in the backcourt.

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What’s next

If Houston makes it past the first weekend, it will have the home crowd support in the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight playing inside the Toyota Center.

The takeaway

The Cougars have the potential to make another deep NCAA Tournament run, but they'll need their veteran leaders and emerging young stars to step up in the pressure-packed March Madness environment.