NEWARK, N.J. — How do you reach the brink of a national title, retain key players from that squad, and start strong at 10-1, yet still remain under the radar?

One possible answer: you are the often-overlooked Houston Cougars.

This situation isn’t ideal, but it consistently happens. Often, even.

“Don’t sleep on Houston,” Kelvin Sampson famously noted last April after the Cougars stunned many by defeating No. 1 Duke in the Final Four.

As we enter the new season, it’s time to wake up once more.

Perhaps Houston’s style of play is what keeps them out of the spotlight.

Their schedule may not be particularly remarkable thus far.

They often don’t showcase one-and-done talents (though that’s gradually changing).

Yet, once again, amid another college basketball season, Houston stands tall among the elite teams in the nation. They demonstrated this presence on Saturday with a commanding victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Never Forget Tribute Classic at the Prudential Center.

The Cougars triumphed over the Razorbacks, securing a 94-85 victory to advance to 11-1, led by 22 points from senior guard Emanuel Sharp and 21 points from freshman guard Kingston Flemings Jr.

Houston came into this contest ranked No. 8, while Arkansas held the No. 14 spot. Although the game was close throughout the second half, Houston created some distance by producing a 15-0 run, pushing the score to 41-19.

Despite not achieving a total blowout, Arkansas’s freshman point guard Darius Acuff Jr. managed to keep it competitive, finishing with a game-high 27 points and 7 assists.

John Calipari and Kelvin Sampson have amassed a combined 70 seasons and over 1,600 wins, yet this marked only their second encounter. Calipari bested Sampson in the 2018 NCAA Tournament.

For Arkansas, this match was a critical missed chance. At 9-3, a victory could have enhanced their reputation considerably. Instead, they find themselves tangled with many competitive teams at the top of the SEC as league play approaches.

Meanwhile, Houston enjoys a more prosperous outlook. The Big 12 boasts formidable contenders like Arizona, Iowa State, BYU, and Kansas. Houston’s status in the sport remains unshaken.

One reason for the lack of attention on Houston might relate to their schedule. The win over Arkansas marks just their second Quad 1 victory of the season, previously defeating Auburn 73-72 on Nov. 16. Beating Arkansas also improves their record to 7-1 in their last eight high-stakes matchups.

Sampson’s teams are typically known for winning much more than they lose, and when they secure victories, they do so decisively.

It’s worth noting that Houston’s only loss this season was a three-point defeat by Tennessee — a team that might rank as a top-four seed later in the season.

Despite not being listed among the top five in efficiency, their legacy places them among a competitive pool of teams, including undefeated teams like Arizona, Michigan, Duke, and Iowa State, along with one-loss teams like Houston, UConn, Gonzaga, Purdue, Michigan State and North Carolina.

The return of Sharp, Uzan, and Tugler—paired with their prior Final Four experience—creates a formidable lineup. The addition of Flemings, a highly touted player averaging more than 15 points and 5 assists while shooting nearly 60%, also significantly enhances their dynamics.

Curiously mistaken for being just another tough team, Houston’s best may lie within its capacity for adaptability. For instance, although Arkansas ranked No. 2 in fast-break points, the Cougars managed to limit the Razorbacks to only seven points in that category, significantly below their average of 22.7.

Ultimately, Houston leads in total wins across the college basketball landscape over the past several years. It’s clear that they are not only formidable competitors but rather genuine national title contenders this season.