Yes, college basketball games are shorter than a football game or a baseball game and most other sports. But the reality is a championship game on a Monday night ending between 11:30 p.m. and midnight on the East Coast is just a kick to the groin of every sports fan who will watch the game.

Houston has quickly established itself as the kings of the Big 12 with back-to-back outright regular season titles in its two seasons since joining the conference from the AAC. But there is still one bit of league supremacy the Cougars have yet to claim. A year ago, they lost to Iowa State in the Big 12 Tournament Championship Game.