Stories By Brian T. Smith

  • Smith: In Nick we trust? How Caserio fares in draft holds answer General manager made safe and frugal moves in free agency, but he's under the gun to get it right in his third draft in Houston and with two picks in top 12.
  • Smith: A good coach is just a small part of Rockets' many needs If the franchise's master plan is to be taken seriously, Stephen Silas' successor must foster a quick awakening.
  • Smith: Carolina's smoke screens keep Texans' draft options hidden It's that time of year where one the day the Panthers like C.J. Stroud and the next it's Bryce Young
  • Smith: Stephen Silas deserves better but Rockets must move on As the Rockets rebuilding continues, perhaps with Victor Wembanyama on the team, it's time for a new voice on the sideline
  • Smith: Dan Hurley sets unrelenting example for UConn Without their coach watching, studying, directing and screaming on the sideline, the Huskies wouldn't have dominated the NCAA Tournament like they did.
  • Smith: UConn, San Diego State are best teams left, and that's OK This is the best that college basketball has to offer in 2023. All we can hope for is that it is one heck of a memorable game.
  • Smith: MLB has picked up the pace, and the sport is better Give commissioner Rob Manfred credit for changing the rules to help the game keep pace in modern era
  • Smith: Is this year's Final Four the new normal? While one-and-dones guarantee the bluebloods nothing, consistency can lift a program like Florida Atlantic, led in scoring by three players who've totaled eight seasons with the Owls.
  • Smith: What's better than the Final Four? The Astros, of course Connecticut, Florida Atlantic, Miami and San Diego State? Meh. Minute Maid Park offers the most desirable team to see starting Thursday.
  • Smith: When will Astros stop spoiling us? Not any time soon Some of the names have changed — goodbye, Justin Verlander; hello, José Abreu — but the golden era is primed for an extension.
  • Smith: It was all there for Longhorns until Miami took it away Longhorns were 13 minutes away from Final Four in Houston until Hurricanes added No. 2 Texas to list of NCAA upsets
  • Smith: For UH basketball, the Big 12 and bigger challenges await After years of dominating the American Athletic Conference, Cougars will move to Big 12 next season. The tougher league could pay off come NCAA Tournament time.
  • Smith: In Houston's NCAA loss, the sound of silence says a lot The Cougars' locker room, often full of talk which Kelvin Sampson says is mark of a good team, was quiet after stunning loss to Miami
  • Smith: Houston wasn't tough enough when it mattered most The top-seeded Cougars were outplayed by the Hurricanes and fell two wins short of reaching Final Four in Houston
  • Smith: Reggie Chaney defines a Houston team without ego Veteran center is a prime example of selflessness that is a big reason to Houston's success under Kelvin Sampson
  • Smith: UH's win over Auburn a reminder of why they are No. 1 When the Cougars play defense like they did in second half, they are a team that no one wants to face
  • Smith: It's all about attitude for UH in win over Auburn Top-seeded Cougars do all the things that made it an NCAA favorite to beat Auburn to reach Sweet 16 for fourth year in a row
  • UH's Jarace Walker almost went to Auburn UH's Jarace Walker was heavily recruited by multiple schools as a five-star athlete from the IMG Academy.
  • UH's Kelvin Sampson reaches across aisle to Alabama fans UH coach Kelvin Sampson took time Friday to appeal to Alabama fans to support the Cougars during Saturday's second-round game against in-state rival Auburn.
  • Smith: This UH team will find out if it is Kelvin Sampson-tough With Marcus Sasser and Jamal Shead hurting, the top-ranked Cougars will need to reflect their coach's demeanor when they face Auburn in the second round