The Houston Cougars have been to this stage before in recent history. Four years ago, in fact. That team, led by Marcus Sasser and Quentin Grimes, rode a stifling defense to the Final Four, where the inconsistent offense finally came back to bite them in a loss to eventual champs Baylor.

The four teams participating in the Final Four this weekend in San Antonio are a perfect microcosm of the new era in college basketball. While a team such as Duke has built its roster with former blue-chip recruits such as Cooper Flagg,

The University of Houston Cougars men's basketball team left for San Antonio on Wednesday, receiving a spirited send-off from fans as they prepare for the Final Four.