Kelvin Sampson and the Houston Cougars must replace their entire backcourt from 2025-26, but with a few returning players, depth from the portal and a continued defensive mindset, the program can still contend.

College Basketball Team Preview: No. 18 Houston Cougars

No. 18 Houston Cougars: Projected Rotation & Season Outlook

Houston has been a well-oiled machine over the last several years. Moving from the AAC to the Big 12 has not looked like much of an adjustment for coach Kelvin Sampson, as the Cougars have won the league two of the three years since joining what many consider the best conference in college basketball. 

That said, this coming season feels like it is set up to be a little more of a challenge. Stalwarts like Emanuel Sharp (15.5 PPG) and Milos Uzan (11.1 PPG) have moved on, and Houston also lost two very talented freshman in Kingston Flemings (16.1 PPG) and Chris Cenac (9.5 PPG). 

There will be some comfort for coach Sampson knowing that role players like Joseph Tugler, Mercy Miller and Chase McCarty will return. Tugler is a former Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, while Miller and McCarty both showed promise last season and should see a big uptick in production.

The Cougars did land a handful of impactful transfers as well. Dedan Thomas should take over the starting point guard role after averaging 15.3 points and 6.4 assists per game last season with LSU. He was highly productive in his two seasons prior to that at UNLV. 

Delrecco Gillespie should slot in as the starting center as he comes over from Kent State where he put up big numbers (17.7 PPG, 11.3 RPG). Houston did a lot of its work from the perimeter last season, but Gillespie will allow coach Sampson to get back to how he played with J’Wan Roberts for years. 

Corey Hadnot and Braden East were both very productive at mid-major programs last season and will be quality depth pieces for coach Sampson to lean on, especially if Miller and McCarty aren’t ready for starting roles. 

Arafan Diane and Ikenna Alozie are two top-50 freshman prospects who will be able to develop how coach Sampson wants with plenty of good options on the depth chart in front of them. Diane is just a massive interior option at 7-1 nearly 300 pounds that can dominate on the defensive end. Alozie on the other hand has a lot of the same skills as some other recent Houston guards and should make his presence felt in due time. 

Chendall Weaver was a late roster add as well, but he will fit in great as a glue guy that coach Sampson can rely on to do a lot of dirty work and hustle plays. 

Houston might not have the top-end talent this season like it has had in recent years, but there are still a lot of really nice pieces to work with. Given how well the Houston coaching staff has been at player development, you’d have to trust them to turn a couple of these guys into household names by the end of the season. 

For up-to-the-minute updates on injuries, roles and overall player performance, head to RotoWire’s latest college basketball news page or follow @RotoWireCBB on X.

2026-27 Houston Basketball Projected Starting Lineup:

PG: Dedan Thomas (15.3 PPG, 6.4 APG at LSU)

SG: Mercy Miller (5.2 PPG)

SF: Chase McCarty (4.1 PPG)

PF: Joseph Tugler (8.4 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.5 BPG)

C: Delrecco Gillespie (17.7 PPG, 11.3 RPG at Kent State)

Key Reserves: Chendall Weaver (5.8 PPG at Texas), Corey Hadnot (20.4 PPG, 1.8 SPG at IPFW), Braden East (12.8 PPG, 9.1 RPG at Lamar), Arafan Diane (No. 31 in SC Next 100), Ikenna Alozie (No. 41 in SC Next 100), Kordel Jefferson (1.3 PPG), Bryce Jackson (Redshirt)

In search of a new, legal sportsbook? Get in on the action with our best sportsbook promo codes, as well as these selections for the best sports betting sites and sports betting apps.