While Houston’s freshmen continue to make bigger impacts, it was the typical fierce Cougars defense that stood out to the opponent. Oakland’s head coach Greg Kampe made a very intriguing comment postgame, giving light to how different playing Houston is.

Kingston Flemings had 19 points and nine assists, Emanuel Sharp scored 19 points and top-ranked Houston routed Oakland 78-45

In a rarity, Oakland will be playing the nation's No. 1 team in consecutive games after the Cougars moved up to the top spot earlier this week.

The No.1 Houston Cougars moved to 3-0 with a 78-45 win over the Oakland Golden Grizzlies. Head coach Kelvin Sampson's defense shined, holding the Grizzlies to just over 31% shooting overall and only 23% from the three-point line.

No. 1 Houston faces the Oakland Golden Grizzlies after Kingston Flemings scored 20 points in Houston's 65-48 win over the Towson Tigers

Emanuel Sharp scored 19 points, and Kingston Flemings just missed a double-double with 19 points and nine rebounds as the Cougars delivered their most convincing performance of the season in the first game since moving into the No. 1 spot in the national rankings.

Flemings was 8 of 12 from the floor, and Sharp shot 7 of 13, including 5 of 9 on 3-pointers, for Houston (3-0). The Cougars shot 45% and were 9 of 31 on 3-pointers. Flemings and Sharp each had 11 points in the first half and shot a combined 8 of 16 from the field as the Cougars led 39-17 at the half.

The Houston Cougars play their first game as the No. 1 team in the nation on Wednesday, Nov. 12 when they host Oakland.

Kingston Flemings had 19 points and nine assists, Emanuel Sharp scored 19 points and top-ranked Houston routed Oakland 78-45 on Wednesday night.

Oakland men's basketball begins its 2025-26 campaign facing back-to-back No. 1 ranked teams, Houston and Purdue.