(Photo credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images)

The word 'almost' continues to hang over the Houston program.

The Cougars certainly are defined by that word, even though they have won four consecutive conference championships, including two straight in the top tier of the sport in the Big 12, while racking up 12 NCAA Tournament wins over that same span.

And yet, as the No. 2 Cougars (35-5 in 2024-25) prepare to tip off the 2025-26 season on Nov. 3 at home against Lehigh, the program still is facing questions about what it hasn't achieved, rather than what it has.

That might be justifiable, as the 2024-25 season ended in bitter disappointment when the Cougars couldn't close out a win in San Antonio in the National Championship against Florida, losing 65-63. That gave Houston the dubious honor of becoming the team with the most ever Final Four appearances (seven) without being able to win a championship.

But if that history is weighing on the players and coaches, they aren't making it known, and they're committed to the path that's gotten them this far.

'In my career, I've never had an ugly win,' coach Kelvin Sampson says. 'We've averaged almost 30 wins a year for eight years ... Not a lot of teams can win on nights the ball don't go in. We've been really good at that.'

Sampson, who is seeking his 800th career win in the opener, is no doubt buoyed by having one of the most talented rosters in the nation at his disposal. Three of his players - senior guards Emanuel Sharp and Milos Uzan along with junior forward Joseph Tugler - were named preseason All-Big 12 by the coaches.

Uzan, a unanimous selection, is on the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award watch list, while Sharp is on the watch list for the Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award.

One of the nation's top recruiting classes is expected to bolster that crew, which has been picked to win the Big 12 and tabbed with its highest preseason ranking since 1967. Senior forward Kalifa Sakho (7.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg at Sam Houston) joins along with a high-profile collection of freshmen: guards Isiah Harwell, Kingston Flemings and Bryce Jackson and forward Chris Cenac Jr.

Following exhibition play, Sampson credited that group with buying into Houston's priorities of defense and offensive rebounding.

'You should be good at what you emphasize,' Sampson said. 'Over the years, we've been really good at winning games when we don't shoot well because we have a definitive plan on how to win.'

Lehigh last made the NCAA Tournament in 2012 when it notched its lone March Madness victory, one that qualifies as one of the biggest upsets in recent NCAA Tournament history. The No. 15 seed Mountain Hawks sent No. 2 Duke packing as CJ McCollum engineered a sparkling 75-70 victory.

Lately, longtime head man Brett Reed has just one winning campaign over the past six seasons. The Mountain Hawks were 11-19 last season.

Lehigh will be piloted by leading returning scorer Nasir Whitlock, who averaged 10.5 points a season ago.

Reed, the school's all-time leader in wins (287), gave Whitlock a vote of confidence earlier this fall by naming him team captain.

'He's grown in his role and responsibilities over his career,' Reed said. 'His influence on the team has been significant since this last spring. His teammates and coaches recognize his leadership abilities, and I have confidence he will excel in his role.'

-Field Level Media