Houston basketball fans have endured a stressful first week of March Madness. Star senior guard Marcus Sasser re-aggravated a groin injury he first suffered in the team's conference tournament, and lockdown defender Jamal Shead is dealing with a knee issue after the Cougars' opening game in the NCAA Tournament.

All of the ailments and questions just piled on top of what was a more-challenging-than-expected, 63-52 victory over No. 16 seed Northern Kentucky. The good news, though, is that the program is being led by two warriors determined to fight through any discomfort they are feeling ahead of Saturday's Round of 32 meeting with the Auburn Tigers.

Marcus Sasser: “I’m 100 percent playing tomorrow.” Jamal Shead: “I’m 100 percent going tomorrow,” Sports Illustrated's Pat Forde tweeted Friday.

Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl always has his teams well-prepared, but the absences of the AAC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year would have made his job much easier. As it stands, the Tigers are already going to be at a home-court advantage in the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama. Houston will need its leaders to be in top form.

Article Continues Below
More NCAA Basketball News
Auburn Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl reacts after a play against the Florida Gators during the second half in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome.
Auburn’s Bruce Pearl gets 100% real on Tigers’ volatility heading into 2025-26Miguel La Torre ·
Kansas Jayhawks guard AJ Storr (2) shoots the ball against Arkansas Razorbacks forward Jonas Aidoo (9) during the second half at Amica Mutual Pavilion.
Chris Beard preaches belief in AJ Storr despite Kansas flameoutDavid Yapkowitz ·
Whitney Bay, a former Maryland and Purdue standout is becoming an HBCU coach as she takes over West Virginia State.
Former Purdue, Maryland standout becomes HBCU coachRandall Barnes ·
South Carolina Gamecocks forward Chloe Kitts (21) and Connecticut Huskies forward Sarah Strong (21) tip-off to start the national championship of the women's 2025 NCAA tournament at Amalie Arena.
March Madness NCAA Tournament expansion decision gets loose timelineZachary Howell ·
Cooper Flagg (51) participates in the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena.
Duke basketball’s Cooper Flagg grabs attention with IG post before NBA draftRexwell Villas ·
Illinois Fighting Illini forward Will Riley (7) drives to the hoop past Xavier Musketeers forward Jerome Hunter (2) during the second half at Fiserv Forum.
Will Riley reveals key factor in how international basketball serves as NBA prepRussell Steinberg ·

Sasser, in particular, leaves a huge void when not on the court due to his ability to score points (16.7 per game) and apply pressure in the backcourt (1.6 steals per game). The team just does not flow with the same purpose or success without him. A minutes limit might be on the mind of head coach Kelvin Sampson, as Sasser has already re-injured the area once.

Realistically, Houston basketball is not going to obtain a magical healing elixir in one day's time. They will need a complete effort against a strong defensive team. The Cougars can win ugly when they have to, as evidenced by Thursday night, but Sasser and Shead's positive health update substantially increases their ceiling.

The quest to compete for a National Championship in their backyard continues Saturday, at approximately 7:10 p.m. ET.