Houston’s basketball program was poised for a dominant season, strengthened by one of its most promising recruiting classes. However, expectations shifted when 6’2″ guard Pop Isaacs flipped his commitment from Houston to Texas A&M, leaving the Cougars with a roster that now appears less experienced than initially anticipated.
CBS Sports insider Jon Rothstein highlighted the potential fallout from this move, raising concerns about Houston’s ability to maintain its competitive edge.
Insider Predicts Trouble for Kelvin Sampson After Pop Isaacs’ Bold Decision
Texas A&M is on the move. After Buzz Williams left for Maryland, new head coach Bucky McMillan stepped into a nearly empty locker room. But he’s not wasting time. According to On3’s Pete Nakos, McMillan just pulled off a major win—landing Pop Isaacs, a transfer guard who previously played at Texas Tech and Creighton.
Isaacs had originally committed to Houston on April 8, bringing hope to a program with high expectations for the new season. But in a surprise twist, the 6’2″ guard flipped to Texas A&M. That move didn’t just catch fans off guard—it may have also put Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson in a tough spot.
Rothstein explained the impact clearly. He said, “But Houston, who again is bringing in its best recruiting class yet under Kelvin Sampson with losing Pop Isaacs, a veteran guard, becomes just a touch less experienced than I’d like them to be.”
Isaacs transferred to Creighton last year after two seasons at Texas Tech. Unfortunately, he only played eight games for the Bluejays before a season-ending hip injury in December. Still, in that short time, he showed his talent. And he did all this against strong competition, not just easy matchups. That’s why he was expected to bring stability, especially in tough moments.
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Now, with Isaacs gone, Houston must adjust its backcourt strategy. The Cougars will rely more on younger players to fill the gap. What was supposed to be a steady presence has turned into uncertainty as the new season approaches.
Meanwhile, Rothstein has reevaluated his preseason rankings, shifting Purdue ahead of Houston. “I am moving Purdue into the one hole,” he noted, emphasizing the strength of Purdue’s returning lineup. While Houston remains a formidable contender, Isaacs’ decision has undeniably created new challenges that Sampson must now navigate.
As the Cougars adjust, the impact of Isaacs’ decision remains a talking point. The question now lingers over the program: Can Sampson navigate this setback, or will Houston struggle due to the lost experience?
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