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Houston Cougars basketball will rely on just one returning starter this season: senior forward Joseph Tugler. Once a developing underclassman, Tugler now steps into a leadership role, and his experience within the program is unmatched. Head coach Kelvin Sampson has frequently praised Tugler as the team's best player, a sentiment reinforced by his status as the lone senior returnee.
Tugler is widely regarded as one of the top defensive players in college basketball, if not the very best. His offseason health allowed him and the coaching staff to focus on developing his overall game, particularly his offense. Last season, Tugler showed flashes of potential on that end, and a significant leap is anticipated.
That promise was recognized last week when Tugler was named to the Naismith Starting 5 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Top 20 Preseason Watch List. The award honors the nation's premier power forward, a position Tugler transitioned to this offseason, which also entails a new defensive assignment. The adjustment will be closely monitored.
Tugler is one of six Big 12 power forwards on the list, joined by Paulius Murauskas (Arizona State), Jaxon Kohler (BYU), Keanu Dawes (Michigan), Xavier Edmonds (TCU), and JT Toppin (Texas Tech). He is also one of four players from a Texas school, with David Punch of Texas being the only non-Big 12 representative.
At 6-foot-8 and 230 pounds, Tugler averaged 8.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game last season. He shot nearly 58% from the field and 71% from the free-throw line, while also contributing 1.3 assists and steals per game. He ranked second on the team in rebounding and eighth in the Big 12 in blocks per game.
A Monroe, Louisiana, native, Tugler won the 2025 Lefty Driesell Award as the nation's best defender and has been a finalist for the Naismith National Defensive Player of the Year Award in each of the past two seasons. His defensive prowess remains a cornerstone of Houston's identity.
In other news, Houston point guard Dedan Thomas Jr. was named to the Bob Cousy Award Preseason Watchlist earlier last week, adding to the Cougars' preseason accolades.