The Houston Cougars were just a minute away from winning the National Championship a little over a month ago. However, it wasn’t meant to be, as Florida took the lead late and managed to hold on. Under head coach Kelvin Sampson, the Cougars have consistently been one of the top defensive teams in the nation.
The game itself was everything a national championship should be—intense and hard-fought between two elite programs. Unfortunately, the ending was anticlimactic, as Houston didn’t even get a shot off in time to tie or win the game. It was widely criticized as one of the most disappointing finishes to a title game in recent memory.
“An absolutely epic game … with one of the dumbest endings I’ve ever seen,” Stewart Mandel posted.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, the Cougars are returning several key players from last season’s roster. Most notably, Milos Uzan, who went through the NBA Draft process, has decided to return to Houston for his final season.
“Milos Uzan is withdrawing from the 2025 NBA Draft and will return to Houston next season,” Jon Rothstein wrote.
This is a major boost for the Cougars, as they now return their three core players.
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“Uzan's return is a major boon for Houston coach Kelvin Sampson, whose team has a strong claim for the preseason No. 1 ranking after also returning starters Emanuel Sharp (the Cougars' second-leading scorer) and Joseph Tugler (the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year),” Jonathan Givony wrote.
Houston was already projected to be one of the top teams heading into next season, but with Uzan’s return, a Final Four run seems almost inevitable.
“Coach Sampson's return of his point guard makes Houston one of the top teams in the nation heading into next year and a preseason favorite to return to the Final Four and cut down the nets in April,” Bryan Mauro wrote.
There’s no doubt that Houston now boasts one of the best rosters in college basketball. This upcoming season could very well be a campaign fueled by redemption.