In the Paint Podcast: Cougars earn Elite Eight nod

The number eight is a prevalent theme for the In the Paint Podcast. The Houston Cougars square off against Purdue in the Elite 8. Also the Rockets have eight games remaining of the regular season. Rios and Papi, who is also one the co-host for the Bring on the Blitz Podcast, give their predictions on the Final Four and National Championship. They also give their take on the Rockets overall record. 

Cougars beat Purdue

Houston defeats Purdue 62-60 in the Sweet 16. Oklahoma transfer Milos Uzan made the game-winning bucket to secure Houston’s win. He led the Cougars in scoring with 22 points. He went 6-for-9 from the three point line and dished out six assists. U of H usually produces homegrown talent and rarely utilizes the transfer portal. However, Uzan wanting to play deep in March Madness, and abiding to head coach Kevin Sampson’s culture made the Las Vegas, NV., native a perfect fit. 

While U of H has looked dominant throughout the tournament, their scoring droughts have made the games closer than necessary. Uzan and Emmanual Sharp have scored consistently.  The boys noticed the lack of scoring production from the other starting five as part of the problem. J’Wan Roberts, Joseph Tugler and Ja’Vier Francis combined for 16 points total. 

Rockets aim for 50 win season

The boys also highlighted their NBA coverage. The Rockets sit at the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference with a record of 49 wins and 25 losses. Eight games are left in the regular season. The Rockets have a tough stretch of games to close out the season. They face up versus the Lakers twice, and the Jazz. The face off against No. 1 seed Oklahoma City at home. 

The boys make their prediction on how the Rockets will do on their final eight games. Rios estimates the Rockets will win 53 games. Papi, speculates a 49 win season for Houston. 

How will the Rockets finish their season? Will the Cougars reach the NCAA Championship? They boys will tell you on this In the Paint Podcast episode.