Convenience Big Store: March Madness: UH is a No. 1 seed but can the Cougars win it all?

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Today's starting lineup

UH earned its No. 1 seed — as expected — and will start the NCAA Tournament in Memphis against Longwood.

The Cougars are a "legitimate" contender for their first title so will this be the year? Joseph Duarte looks at the issues facing UH between Memphis and the Final Four in Glendale, Ariz.

One of those obstacles could be Texas A&M, which earned a No. 9 seed and could face UH if it beats Nebraska. The Longhorns are a No. 7 seed in the Midwest Region and could face their former coach Rick Barnes in the second round, if Texas can get past Virginia or Colorado State.

Matt Young takes a look at the Texas teams and their potential obstacles.

In the women's tournament, Texas is a No. 1 seed for the first time since 2004 and Texas A&M is back in the field. So are the Rice Owls. In all, five teams from the state made the field.

In spring training, Framber Valdez is talking about throwing 200 innings, which is something Astros manager Joe Espada likes to hear.

For the Rockets, their recent 7-1 stretch has them in the play-in race but catching the Lakers or Warriors won't be easy.

And as the HoustonRodeo ended, we said goodbye to Leon Coffee, a barrel man who has been entertaining fans for more than 30 years. Jerome Solomon and Brett Coomer have the story in photos and video.

Stat of the day: 14.2%. Chance that UH wins in the NCAA title, according to teamrankings.com. That's the second-best percentage in the field behind defending champion UConn.

Reid Laymance, Sports Editor

reid.laymance@houstonchronicle.com

March Madness / UH

Houston guard Jamal Shead cuts down the net after their win against Kansas to be the Big 12 Champions after their Big 12 baskeball game held at the Fertitta Center Saturday, Mar. 9, 2024 in Houston.

Photo by: Michael Wyke, Contributor

March Madness: Can UH finally win NCAA title?

A No. 1 seed for this year's tournament, Cougars have a 'legitimate chance' to win it all but know even the slightest hiccup can derail a title run.

On the road to Arizona: UH warmed up for the season with four exhibition games in Australia. Now the Cougars head into the NCAA Tournament as the South's No. 1 seed.
Special guest: Drake showed up at the Post Oak Hotel to give some encouraging words to the UH basketball team shortly after the NCAA Tournament bracket was revealed.
At a glance: The Cougars will face Longwood on Friday in Memphis, Tenn.
Preview: An early look at Longwood University, the University of Houston's first-round opponent in the NCAA Tournament.

March Madness / NCAA men

UH basketball forward J'Wan Roberts wears a pendant of his father and uncle while watching the NCAA Tournament Selection Show on CBS at the Post Oak Hotel on Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Houston.

Photo by: Raquel Natalicchio, Staff Photographer

What to know about six teams from state of Texas

The state of Texas has six teams in the NCAA Tournament, including five from the Big 12 starting with No. 1 UH.

Obstacle course: There are six teams from Texas in the NCAA Tournament and some have an easier road through the bracket than others.
Aggies: Should the Aggies defeat the Cornhuskers, they'll likely face top-seeded Houston.
Longhorns: Texas will face either Virginia or Colorado State in its opener.

March Madness / NCAA women

Rice's Jazzy Owens-Barnett kisses the trophy after hear team defeated East Carolina 61-41 during an NCAA college basketball game for the American Athletic Conference tournament championship, Wednesday, March 13, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Photo by: Julio Cortez/Associated Press

Five Texas teams made the women's tournament. What to know.

From No. 1 seed Texas to No. 16 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, a look at the state's entries in the NCAA women's tournament.

Longhorns: Texas is a No. 1 seed for first time since 2004 and is motivated by last season's early exit.
Aggies: Texas A&M makes NCAA Tournament for first time under coach Joni Taylor.

Astros / MLB

Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez (59) takes a moment between pitches during workouts for Houston Astros pitchers and catchers at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fl.

Photo by: Karen Warren/Staff Photographer

Framber Valdez has 200-inning goal this season

First-year manager Joe Espada wants his rotation to again be among MLB's leaders in workload, and the veteran lefthander is only too happy to oblige.

Learning curve: After allowing five runs on March 8 against the Phillies, Spencer Arrighetti bounced back to throw two scoreless innings in Sunday's Spring Breakout game.

Rockets / NBA

Houston Rockets' Jalen Green (4) celebrates after making a basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers 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

Amid play-in chase, high-stakes games next leg of Rockets' development

Houston has shown its capabilities during a 7-1 run, but it will have to keep pushing to catch the Lakers or Warriors.

Rodeo

Barrelman Leon Coffee gestures towards the crowd as they applaud for him on his last day as a barrelman, before the bull riding during the long round of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Championship on Sunday, March 17, 2024, at NRG Stadium in Houston. The day

Photo by: Jon Shapley/Staff Photographer

RodeoHouston won't be the same without legendary Leon Coffee

Leon Coffee stepped into the barrel for the last time Sunday, marking the end of an era at RodeoHouston.

Fit to be tied: Brothers Ty Harris and Joel Harris tied with identical times of 8.2 seconds in the tie-down roping Shootout, forcing a tiebreaker at RodeoHouston.