The No. 3 ranked Houston Cougars will take on the Saint Joseph's Hawks on Friday in the Veteran's Classic in Annapolis Maryland CBS Sports.
Despite losing four key players from last season, the Houston Cougars came into the season with the second-best odds to win the National Championship at +1000 according to SI Sportsbook, behind only Gonzaga. Houston went to the Final Four in 2021 and the Elite Eight last season.
PREVIEW – Jamal Shead @Thejshead & #??3?? Coogs meet Saint Joseph's at 5 pm CST FRIDAY in Veterans Classic
WATCH on @CBSSportsNet, LISTEN on @KPRCradio 950 AM & @TheVarsity app#ForTheCity x #GoCoogs
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— Houston Men's Hoops ?? ?? (@UHCougarMBK) November 11, 2022
Houston was as good as advertised in their home opener Monday beating Northern Colorado 83-36. Marcus Sasser a 6'2 senior guard led the way with 21 points. Last season Sasser played 12 games before missing the rest of the season with an injury, and the team still made it to the Elite Eight. Alongside Sasser are experienced returners Jamal Shead, Reggie Chaney, and Tramon Mark. The Cougars also expect big things from freshman Jerace Walker who has 12 rebounds and eight points in the season opener. Freshmen Emanuel Sharp also had a nice game against Northern Colorado scoring 11 points in just eight minutes of action.