The 2023–24 Houston Cougars men's basketball team represented the University of Houston in the 2023–24 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Cougars were led by tenth-year head coach Kelvin Sampson. The team played their home games at the Fertitta Center as first-year members of the Big 12 Conference.
Houston finished the regular season 28–3, 15–3 in conference play, and were regular-season champions of the Big 12 in their first year in the conference. In the Big 12 tournament, Houston defeated TCU and Texas Tech before losing to Iowa State in the championship game. They received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament as the #1 seed in the South Regional. They defeated Longwood in the first round and Texas A&M in overtime in the second round to advance to their fifth consecutive Sweet Sixteen appearance. There, they were defeated by Duke after losing their starting point guard, Jamal Shead, to an ankle sprain during the game.
Previous season The Cougars finished the 2022–23 season 29–2, 17–1 in AAC play to win the AAC regular season championship. They defeated East Carolina and Cincinnati to advance to the AAC tournament championship game where they lost to Memphis. They received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament as the #1 seed in the Midwest Regional. They defeated Northern Kentucky and Auburn to advance to the Sweet Sixteen for the fourth consecutive year. There they lost to Miami (FL).
On November 28, 2022, the team reached the number one ranking in the AP Poll, marking the first time they had held the top spot since 1983. The season marked Houston's last as a member of the AAC. They became a member of the Big 12 Conference on July 1, 2023.
Offseason Departing players Houston departures Marcus Sasser 0 G 6'2" 195 Senior Dallas, TX Graduated/declared for the 2023 NBA draft; selected 25th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies Darius Bowser 4 C 6'9" 250 Graduate student Gaffney, SC Exhausted eligibility Tramon Mark 12 G 6'5" 195 Sophomore Dickinson, TX Transferred to Arkansas Jarace Walker 25 F 6'8" 240 Freshman New Freedom, PA Declared for the 2023 NBA draft; selected 8th overall by the Washington Wizards Reggie Chaney 32 F 6'8" 230 Graduate student Tulsa, OK Exhausted eligibility
Incoming transfers Houston incoming transfers LJ Cryer 4 G 6'1" 185 Senior Katy, TX Baylor Damian Dunn 11 G 6'5" 195 Senior Kinston, NC Temple
2023 recruiting class
Roster
Schedule and results
!colspan=12 style=| Exhibition
!colspan=12 style=| Non-conference regular season
!colspan=12 style=| Big 12 regular season
!colspan=12 style=| Big 12 tournament
!colspan=12 style=| NCAA tournament
Source
Rankings
References