If the Houston Cougars win their first national championship on Monday, L.J. Cryer will become the first college player to win titles with two different schools. Cryer admits it would be “special,” but it’s also not a road he recommends to everyone.

Cryer is one of three players to take the court on college basketball’s biggest stage at the Alamodome with Final Four experience from another school. Duke’s Mason Gillis was one after helping Purdue reach last year’s NCAA final, while Florida guard Alijah Martin was part of Florida Atlantic’s semifinalist in 2023.