Houston fans celebrate UH’s win over Texas A&M at Avenida, with energy high from start to finish and hopes building for a deep tournament run.
HOUSTON — University of Houston fans packed Avenida Plaza to cheer on the Cougars’ March Madness matchup against Texas A&M, celebrating a win that kept championship hopes alive.
Fans gathered for a watch party described as electric from start to finish, with cheers echoing across the plaza as Houston secured the victory.
“Honestly, just incredible — great to see everyone playing so well,” one fan said. “Every year, we’re going back to the Sweet 16. This year, we’re going to win,” another added.
The crowd was overwhelmingly pro-Houston, though some Texas A&M fans embraced the atmosphere despite being outnumbered.
“I enjoy being the villain for a day,” one Aggies supporter said.
Vanessa and Dago Duran said the experience brought fans together, even among strangers.
“You don’t know everybody, but people were high-fiving and fist-pumping,” they said.
Dago, an A&M graduate, said he came to terms with the game’s outcome early.
“Once this round is over, I’ll probably support UH because I live here anyway,” he said.
As the final buzzer sounded, many fans were already looking ahead — and forward to some friendly rivalry at work.
“I can’t wait to go back to work. There’s going to be a lot of trash talking, yes,” another fan said.
Despite acknowledging the team didn’t shoot its best, fans pointed to hustle plays as a key factor in the win.
“We didn’t shoot great, but we got a ton of offensive rebounds,” one supporter said.
After falling just short of a national title last season, Houston fans now believe this team could make another deep run.
“This whole next week, this town is going to be bleeding red. We’re going to be there, we’re going to be hype, and we’re going to lose our voice before the game even starts.”
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