Emanuel Sharp Predicts a Complete Game for Houston Cougars

March Madness has arrived and the NCAA Tournament’s first round is underway. Houston prepares to open its run against the No. 15-seed Idaho Vandals.

Press conference in Oklahoma City

Coach Kelvin Sampson and several players met with reporters on March 18, 2026. The session took place at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.

Veteran guard Emanuel Sharp spoke candidly about the team’s needs. Guards Kingston Flemings (4) and Milos Uzan (7) also joined the meeting.

Sharp’s challenge to the team

Sharp said the Cougars must deliver a full effort on both ends. He urged all five starters to play well together the same night.

The guard stressed defensive connection and balanced offense. He implied this is essential for tournament success.

Context from the Big 12 Tournament

Houston’s most recent complete outing came in the Big 12 semifinal. The Cougars beat Kansas 69-47 to reach the conference final.

Outside that performance, Houston has alternated between strong offense and strong defense. They have seldom combined both for a full 40 minutes.

First-round matchup and outlook

Houston will open on Thursday night at 9:10 p.m. The opponent is the Big Sky champion Idaho Vandals.

As the higher seed, Houston is expected to advance. Still, Sampson and his staff want a complete performance.

Emanuel Sharp predicts a complete game for the Cougars, and he made that point clear to teammates. Filmogaz.com will follow the game and provide updates.