Houston Cougars play Duke in the Sweet 16 Friday night

The No. 1-seed Houston Cougars men's basketball team is running full steam ahead into Friday night's Sweet 16 matchup with the No. 4 Duke Blue Devils.

Why it matters: A win could be redemption for the Coogs after losing in the round of 16 to the Miami Hurricanes last year.

Catch up quick: The Cougars plowed to victory in the first two rounds of this year's tournament, including winning an overtime thriller last weekend against the Texas A&M Aggies to advance to the Sweet 16.

Flashback: The team has been on a postseason tear since 2018, including back-to-back No. 1-seed berths in the 2023 and 2024 tournaments.

• They made it to the Final Four in 2021 and to the Elite Eight in 2022.

What they're saying: "The guys before us created a steppingstone, and we just tagged along and continued their legacy," senior guard Jamal Shead told The Daily Cougar . "I am excited I get to play another week with my guys. I want to play with them as long as I can."

Meanwhile, the Coogs have their work cut out for them against Duke.

• While the Blue Devils struggle defensively, their weapons on offense make them a threat, according to The Athletic .
• The winner faces the winner of Marquette and N.C. State on Sunday.

How to watch: Tipoff is at 8:40pm at Dallas' American Airlines Center.

• The game will be broadcast on CBS and streamed on Paramount+.

Plus, the University of Houston is hosting an official watch party at downtown's Avenida Houston. Festivities start at 7pm.

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