Has Houston ever won a national championship in basketball?

Kelvin Sampson has transformed the Houston Cougars into a college basketball powerhouse.

Not since the days of Phi Slama Jama have the Houston Cougars been this menacing on the basketball court.

In Kelvin Sampson’s eighth year at the helm, the Cougars are not only one of the best teams in The American, but one of the better programs in the country. They are carrying a ton of momentum in the lead-up to joining the Big 12 Conference in short order. Fresh off a Sweet 16 victory over Arizona and an Elite Eight date vs. Villanova on Saturday, has Houston ever won the whole thing?

Here is a look at the rich basketball history of the Houston program heading into the Elite Eight.

Houston basketball: Have Cougars ever won a national championship before?

Through the 2020-21 college basketball season, Houston has never won a national championship before. However, the Cougars are making their seventh appearance in the Elite Eight. Every time they have made it to the Elite Eight, they have gone on to make the Final Four. Houston made its sixth trip to the Final Four a year ago. Twice the Cougars have played for a national championship.

From 1982 to 1984, the Cougars reached the Final Four each season. In 1983, the Cougars fell to the North Carolina State Wolfpack, thanks to Lorenzo Charles’ last second put-back dunk. The following year, they fell to Patrick Ewing’s Georgetown Hoyas. Despite having future NBA superstars during that run in Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon, the Cougars never won it all.

It may be a totally different vibe from Phi Slama Jama, but the Cougars are a great program now.

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