Convenience Big Store: Has UH done enough for No. 1 overall seed in NCAA Tournament?

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Today's starting lineup

Let's not talk too much about UH's loss to Iowa State in the Big 12 title game and instead focus on Selection Sunday for the NCAA Tournament.

Will UH earn the No. 1 overall seed? Joseph Duarte compares the Cougars with Purdue and UConn and while those numbers look good for UH, you never know how the NCAA selection committee will see it. We'll all find out about 5 p.m. today. Here's how to watch.

Texas A&M and Texas Southern also fell in their conference tournaments on Saturday. The Aggies lost in the SEC semifinals to Florida but have likely done enough to earn a tournament bid. TSU lost in the SWAC final to Grambling in its bid for a fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament.

The Rockets have found another gear on offense. Houston's win over Cleveland was its fifth in a row and keeps it in the conversation for a spot in the play-in games. Jonathan Feigen looks at the recent success.

The Astros had some encouraging news with the outing of J.P. France, who looks ready for the rotation. That's important because José Urquidy was back in Houston having his elbow evaluated.

Also from Florida, Matt Young brings us the fun story of Joey Loperfido, a prospect who is just as hot with the bat as he is in the kitchen.

And while it certainly is that time of year with March Madness, the MLB season around the corner and NBA playoff push, it's a good time to talk about the NFL, too. Jerome Solomon tells us why it's not that crazy to have the Texans in the conversation about Super Bowl teams after their early moves in free agency.

Stat of the day: 28. Houston's margin of defeat to Iowa State was the largest for the Cougars since a 29-point loss to Louisville in the 2013-14 season, the last game for coach James Dickey.

Reid Laymance, Sports Editor

reid.laymance@houstonchronicle.com

College Basketball

Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson cuts down the net after clinching the Big 12 Championship after their 76-46 win over Kansas after their game held at the Fertitta Center Saturday, Mar. 9, 2024 in Houston.

Photo by: Michael Wyke/Contributor

UH's case for the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament

A look at the Cougars compared to contenders UConn and Purdue.

Iowa State 69, UH 41: The loss denied the Cougars a chance to become the first school to join a major conference and win the regular-season and tournament titles in its first season.
Florida 95, Texas A&M 90: Texas A&M's run at the SEC tournament ends in semifinals but likely lands Aggies in NCAA field.
Grambling State 75, Texas Southern 66: Texas Southern came up short of its fourth consecutive automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament with the loss in the SWAC championship game.

Astros / MLB

Houston Astros pitcher J.P. France works on a PFP drill during workouts for Astros pitchers and catchers at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fl.

Photo by: Karen Warren/Staff Photographer

Astros' J.P. France makes Grapefruit League debut, on track for rotation spot

Astros pitcher J.P. France said "everything felt really good" as he threw 52 pitches across parts of three innings Saturday against the Mets.

A closer look: José Urquidy was back in Houston to have his sore elbow evaluated.
Meet 'Joe Cooks': Astros prospect Joey Loperfido impressed his teammates by cooking paella for all of them, and he continues to wow them with his swing as well.

Texans / NFL

The Texans bolstered their defense with the addition of free-agents, from left, Danielle Hunter, Azeez Al-Shaair and Denico Autry.

Photo by: Getty Images

Solomon: Super Bowl talk for Texans isn't crazy after team's moves

Houston's moves in free agency, especially on defense, have made a team that was one of NFL's final eight last season even better

Rockets / NBA

Houston Rockets' Jalen Green (4) goes up for a shot as Cleveland Cavaliers' Isaac Okoro (35) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Houston. The Rockets won 117-103. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Photo by: David J. Phillip/Associated Press

On a roll

The offense is rolling and the Rockets have moved to within three games in the loss column of a play-in spot.

Rockets 117, Cavaliers 103: Houston extends its winning streak to five games with a win at home,

Dynamo / MLS

Houston Dynamo forward Aliyu Ibrahim (18) during an MLS soccer match, Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)

Photo by: Matt Patterson/Associated Press

Dynamo earn first MLS win of season

Ibrahim Aliyu scored late in the first half and Steve Clark made four saves as the Dynamo defeated the Timbers.

Golf

LPGA players Stacy Lewis, and Pernilla Lindberg, right, are interviewed during media day at Carlton Woods Wednesday, March 13, 2024, in The Woodlands. The event showcased the upcoming LPGA Tour's Chevron Championship golf tournament.

Photo by: Melissa Phillip, Staff Photographer

Bring the family: LPGA Chevron Championship strives for mass appeal

The season's first major, being played for the second straight year in The Woodlands, will offer kid zones and clinics in addition to the world's top players.

Olympics / Gymnastics

U.S. gymnast Jordan Chiles shows off a tattoo she got in honor of her grandfather during media interviews at Stars Gymnastics Training Center on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024 in Katy.

Photo by: Elizabeth Conley, Staff Photographer

Jordan Chiles wears her grandfather's words as she bids for Paris Olympics

After her grandfather died, Jordan Chiles had his phrase "Where you are I have been, Where I am, You will be." tattooed on her forearm.

Rodeo

Photo by: Jason Fochtman/Staff Photographer

Bareback rider Garrett Shadbolt wins Wild Card 2

Garrett Shadbolt challenged a sizable stallion named Night Faded and came out on top, scoring 87 points to win the bareback riding event in Wild Card 2.