A look at the Houston Cougars, Auburn's second-round opponent in the NCAA tournament

Here's a look at the 1-seeded Houston Cougars.

For the fourth time in the last five seasons, Bruce Pearl has brought Auburn to the NCAA Tournament.

And, once again, he has won his opening round game.

The Tigers (21-12) earned a 9-seed in the Midwest Region of the bracket and took down the Iowa Hawkeyes 83-75 in the first round on Thursday afternoon.

Here's a look at their next opponent, the No. 1 seeded Houston Cougars.

References used are KenPom, NET Rankings, NCAA.com, Haslametrics, and ESPN.

Record: 31-3

Conference Record (American Athletic): 17-1

KenPom Ranking: No. 1

Net Ranking: No. 1

Record vs Quad 1: 7-2

Record vs Quad 2: 8-0

Record vs Quad 3: 7-1

Record vs Quad 4: 9-0

Record in Neutral Games: 4-1

Surface Stats

Points Per Game: 75.0 (99th nationally)

3P%: 34.5% (156th nationally)

2P%: 53.2% (59th nationally)

FT%: 71.9% (176th nationally)

Points Allowed Per Game: 56.5 PPG (2nd nationally)

D3P%: 27.8% (2nd nationally)

D2P%: 43.1% (4th nationally)

DFT%: 69.0% (47th nationally)

Assists Per Game: 14.8

Average Height: 76.7" (232nd nationally)

Efficiencies

Adjusted Tempo: 63.3 (345th nationally)

Adj. Offensive Efficiency: 118.5 (11th nationally)

Effective FG%: 52.7% (69th nationally)

Average Offensive Possession Length: 19.0 (324th nationally)

Turnover %: 15.3 (27th nationally)

Adj. Defensive Efficiency: 89.5 (4th nationally)

Effective FG%: 42.5%% (3rd nationally)

Average Defensive Possession Length: 17.9 (248th nationally)

Individual Leaders

Leader in PPG: G Marcus Sasser - 17.1 PPG

Leader RPG: F J'Wan Roberts - 7.8 RPG

Leader in APG: G Jamal Shead - 5.4 SPG

Leader in SPG: G Jamal Shead - 1.8 SPG

Leader BPG: F J'Wan Roberts - 1.3 BPG

Head coach: Kelvin Sampson

Overall Record: 729-344 (.679%)

Record at Houston: 230–73 (.759%)

What Haslametrics says about Houston (AO means average opponent):

ANALYSIS: A solid argument can be made that Houston is the very best team in the country right now. Ranked first overall (out of 363) in our most recent ratings, they presently have a record of 31-3. They are also obviously ranked by this site as the best team (out of 11) in the AAC (average ranking 105.9). The Houston defense will be extremely problematic for most opposing offenses. Allowing about 88 points for every 100 possessions vs. AO and demonstrating a preference for a more deliberate, half-court style of play (the 23rd-slowest pace in D1), the club is ranked third overall in defensive efficiency. Houston will put a good dent in the shooting percentages of several opponents, considering the team ranks in the top-50 in each of the four major defensive shooting categories.

Though they're most successful defending the mid-range jumper (allowing 27.9% shooting in that category vs. AO, first in the country), the team also hassles AO into converting just 29.6% of their three-pointers (ninth), 54.3% of their near-proximity chances (41st), and 37.2% of their total shots from the field (second). Houston also thrives on scoring fast and easy points off of steals. They're ranked 14th in potential points off of breakaway steals vs. AO with a rating of 15.85. Houston lastly has extremely pesky defenders that ceaselessly attempt to deny opponents ample opportunity to shoot.

The club is ranked 17th in Division I in defensive field goal attempt rate with a rating of 78.69 vs. AO. Compounding opponents' problems, Houston is almost as dominant on the offensive end of the floor as they are on the defensive end of it. The team ranks seventh nationally in offensive efficiency, scoring about 117 points every 100 trips upcourt vs. AO.

Houston is one of the nation's most effective teams finishing close to the iron. The team is ranked second in the country in near-proximity field goal percentage, making approximately 68.9% of their attempts from up-close vs. AO. However, considering their success when shooting from the inside, this team is oddly much more likely to shoot from long-distance. Only 29.4% of the team's field goal attempts vs. AO are from up-close (the 23rd-lowest percentage nationally). The squad likewise lands in the top-50 in overall offensive field goal percentage and makes good on about 46.9% of their total attempts vs. AO. Houston is also one of the very best when it comes to maximizing field goal opportunities.

The team is ranked fourth in the NCAA in offensive field goal attempt rate with a rating of 90.76 vs. AO. Houston lastly allows very few breakaway opportunities for the opposition, which typically translates to fewer turnovers. The team's rating vs. AO for potential breakaway points allowed off of steals is 8.12, which ranks #13 in the country.

Houston has recently performed below their norm from an efficiency standpoint. The team is currently ranked 332nd in the country in positive momentum. Houston has also been one of the most erratic teams in college basketball this year (currently ranked 347th overall in consistency), which makes the outcomes of their future games far more difficult to predict.

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