Houston vs. Temple rating, takeaways: Owls stun No. 1 Cougars for first win over top-ranked group since 2000

In one of many greatest upsets of the school basketball season, Temple shocked No. 1 Houston on Sunday for its first win over a No. 1-ranked group in 23 years with a 56-55 shocker contained in the Fertitta Middle. The Owls, who have been 19.5-point underdogs coming into the sport, took the lead with 7:46 left within the second half and by no means trailed thereafter as they ended the Cougars’ nine-game successful streak in spectacular trend.

Houston’s loss marked the second time this season it has misplaced at residence — each of which got here whereas it was ranked No. 1 within the AP Prime 25 ballot. The primary loss got here on Dec. 10 when then-No. 8-ranked Alabama marched into the Fertitta Middle and received 71-65. It is simply the third loss at residence in convention play for Houston within the final six seasons underneath coach Kelvin Sampson.

Houston has performed with hearth at numerous factors in league play when closely favored, like in close-shave wins over UCF and South Florida. On Sunday, although, Houston could not dig its approach out of a gap after going 1-of-7 taking pictures from 3 within the second half and 8-of-23 taking pictures from the ground. 

In keeping with CBS Sports activities Bracketology skilled Jerry Palm, Houston has misplaced its place as a projected No. 1 seed within the NCAA Match, dropping all the way down to a No. 2 slot. Arizona, in the meantime, will transfer as much as No. 1 seed standing after its massive convention win over UCLA on Saturday. 

1. Houston lastly will get burned

In shut tilts vs. South Florida and UCF, Houston managed to flee with wins however flirted perilously near catastrophe. Towards Temple, it fooled round however couldn’t determine it out late, this time paying the worth courtesy of a chilly taking pictures streak late that prevented it from coming again in a serious stumble as 19.5-point favorites, making it the largest upset over an AP No. 1 group since Stephen F. Austin beat No. 1 Duke as a 27.5-point underdog in 2019, per ESPN Stats and Data. Houston had a extremely good have a look at the ultimate buzzer to win it however finally could not convert.

2. Successful on the line

Houston shot it higher than Temple from each the sector and from the 3-point line whereas taking 11 extra pictures from the sector in typical Houston trend. However the distinction Sunday got here on the line. Temple tried 22 free throws and transformed 20 of them for straightforward buckets. Houston, in the meantime, tried 21 free throws and made solely 11 of these makes an attempt. 

3. No. 1 no extra

After one other loss because the No. 1 group within the nation, Houston is prone to once more see a dip within the newest polls once they refresh Monday. It might finish the group’s run of two weeks atop the ballot after an equally brief stint of two weeks earlier within the season. Massive image, it creates havoc within the American as Temple inches to inside a sport of the Cougars — and the return matchup is ready for 2 weeks any more the Owls’ residence court docket.