Houston Cougars men's basketball
Houston Cougars | |||
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University | University of Houston | ||
First season | 1945–46 | ||
All-time record | 1,435–882 (.619) | ||
Head coach | Kelvin Sampson(11th season) | ||
Conference | Big 12 Conference | ||
Location | Houston,Texas | ||
Arena | Fertitta Center (capacity: 7,100) | ||
Nickname | Cougars | ||
Student section | The Cage | ||
Colors | Scarlet and white[1] | ||
Uniforms | |||
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NCAA tournament runner-up | |||
1983, 1984 | |||
NCAA tournament Final Four | |||
1967, 1968, 1982, 1983, 1984, 2021 | |||
NCAA tournament Elite Eight | |||
1967, 1968, 1982, 1983, 1984, 2021, 2022 | |||
NCAA tournament Sweet Sixteen | |||
1956, 1961, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1982, 1983, 1984, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | |||
NCAA tournament appearances | |||
1956, 1961, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1978, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1987, 1990, 1992, 2010, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | |||
Conference tournament champions | |||
1978, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1992, 2010, 2021, 2022 | |||
Conference regular season champions | |||
1946, 1947, 1950, 1956, 1983, 1984, 1992, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024 |
TheHouston Cougars men's basketballteam represents theUniversity of HoustoninHouston,Texas,in theNCAADivision Imen'sbasketballcompetition. They compete as members of theBig 12 Conference.The program has made six appearances in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament Final Four, which is the most of any team who has not won a national championship.
History[edit]
Early history (1945–56)[edit]
Although the University of Houston already had a women's basketball program, the Houston Cougars men's basketball program did not begin until the 1945–46 season.Alden Paschewas the team's first head coach. In their first two seasons, the Cougars wonLone Star Conferenceregular-season titles and qualified for postseason play in theNAIAMen's Basketball tournaments in1946and1947.The Cougars had an all-time NAIA tournament record of 2–2 in two years.
During Pasche's tenure, the Cougars posted a 135–116 record.[2]Under his leadership in 1950, the Cougars won theGulf Coast Conferencechampionship. FutureCollege Basketball Hall of FamecoachGuy Lewisplayed for Pasche, eventually becoming an assistant coach before being handed the job upon Pasche's retirement.
Guy Lewis era (1956–86)[edit]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6b/Houston_Cougars_vs_UCLA_Bruins%2C_Game_of_the_Century%2C_1968.png/220px-Houston_Cougars_vs_UCLA_Bruins%2C_Game_of_the_Century%2C_1968.png)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f8/Clyde_Drexler_as_a_Houston_Cougars_player.jpg/220px-Clyde_Drexler_as_a_Houston_Cougars_player.jpg)
Pasche retired after the 1955–56 season, and Houston assistantGuy Lewiswas promoted to the head coaching position.[3]Lewis, a former Cougar player, led Houston to 27 straight winning seasons and 14 seasons with 20 or more wins, including 14 trips to theNCAA tournament.His Houston teams made the Final Four on five occasions (1967, 1968, 1982–84) and twice advanced to theNCAA Championship Game(1983, 1984).[4]Among the outstanding players who Lewis coached areElvin Hayes,Hakeem Olajuwon,Clyde Drexler,Otis Birdsong,Dwight Jones,Dwight Davis,Don ChaneyandLouis "Sweet Lou" Dunbar.
Lewis's UH teams twice played key roles in high-profile events that helped to popularize college basketball as a spectator sport. In 1968, his underdog, Elvin Hayes-led Cougars upset the undefeated and top-ranked UCLA Bruins in front of more than 50,000 fans at Houston'sAstrodome.The game became known as the “Game of the Century”and marked a watershed in the popularity of college basketball.[5]In the early 1980s, Lewis'sPhi Slama Jamateams at UH gained notoriety for their fast-breaking, "above the rim" style of play as well as their overall success. These teams attracted great public interest with their entertaining style of play. At the height of Phi Slama Jama's notoriety, they suffered a dramatic, last-second loss in the 1983 NCAA Final that set a then-ratings record for college basketball broadcasts and became an iconic moment in the history of the sport.[6]Lewis's insistence that these highly successful teams play an acrobatic, up-tempo brand of basketball that emphasizeddunkingbrought this style of play to the fore and helped popularize it amongst younger players.[7]
Houston lost in both NCAA Final games in which Lewis coached, despite his "Phi Slama Jama"teams featuring superstarsClyde DrexlerandHakeem Olajuwon.In 1983, Houston lost in a dramatic title game to theNorth Carolina State Wolfpackon a last-second dunk byLorenzo Charles.The Cougars lost in the 1984 NCAA Final to theGeorgetown Hoyas,led byPatrick Ewing.Lewis retired from coaching in 1986 at number 20 in all-time NCAA Division I victories, his 592–279 record giving him a.680 career winning percentage.
As a coach, Lewis was known for championing the once-outlaweddunk,[8]which he characterized as a "high percentage shot", and for clutching a brightly colored red-and-white polka dot towel[9]on the bench during games. Lewis was a major force in the racial integration of college athletics in the South during the 1960s, being one of the first major college coaches in the region to actively recruit African-American athletes.[10]His recruitment ofElvin HayesandDon Chaneyin 1964 ushered in an era of tremendous success in Cougar basketball. The dominant play of Hayes led the Cougars to two Final Fours and sent shock waves through Southern colleges that realized that they would have to begin recruiting black players if they wanted to compete with integrated teams.
Welcome to Conference USA (1996–2004)[edit]
After 21 years in theSouthwest Conference,the Cougars joinedConference USAin 1996. Under head coachAlvin Brooks,[11]the basketball program had a disappointing initial season in C-USA. The team went 3–11 against C-USA teams in 1996–97. The next season was even more futile. Brooks, who had led the Cougars since 1993, coached the Cougars to a rock bottom conference record of 2–14 in 1997–98.[12]The last, and only other, time the Cougars recorded only two conference victories in a season was in 1950–51; their first season in theMissouri Valley Conference.
One ofHouston's biggest sports icons and one of the Cougars best basketball players ever,Clyde Drexlerwas hired[13]to coach the program that he led as a player to the 1983 NCAA Final as part ofPhi Slama Jama.Basketball excitement was back on campus, and fans looked forward to the promising years to come. After just two seasons with minimal success, Drexler resigned as head coach citing his intention to spend more time with his family.[14]
Ray McCallumwas hired[15]to do what Clyde Drexler could not—lead the Cougars to a winning season and earn a spot in theNCAA tournament.After losing seasons in each of his first two years, McCallum guided the Cougars to an 18–15 record in 2001–02. That season, the team won two conference tournament games and qualified for theNational Invitation Tournament.[16]However, the team regressed in the following season and failed to qualify for even their own C-USA tournament.
Two steps forward, one step back (2004–07)[edit]
Tom Penderswas named as the head coach of Cougars basketball in 2004.[17]Known as "Turnaround Tom" for his reputation of inheriting sub-par basketball programs and making them better, Penders was hired to rebuild a program that recorded only one winning season in its last eight years. After a surprising debut season in 2004–05 that led to an NIT appearance, the team had high hopes to build on their relative success and make the NCAA tournament in 2006.
The 2005–06 season looked promising at the outset. The Cougars started their first game on a 30–0 scoring run against theFlorida Tech Panthers.Less than two weeks later, the Cougars beat the nationally rankedLSU Tigerson the road and theArizona Wildcatsat home.[18]The surprising wins earned the Cougars their first national ranking in several years. The team that seemed destined for an NCAA tournament berth failed to capitalize on their success and national recognition and began to stumble after a loss toSouth Alabama Jaguarsin December. The Cougars won only one conference tournament game and had to settle again for another NIT bid.
Dubbed as "The Show," the 2006–07 Cougars entered the season with cockiness and strong expectations to finally make it into the NCAA tournament. A difficult schedule matched the Cougars with seven different teams that would end up qualifying for either the 2007 NCAA tournament or NIT. Houston lost three times to theMemphis Tigersand once each to Arizona, theCreighton Bluejays,theKentucky Wildcats,South Alabama, theUNLV Runnin' Rebels,and theVCU Rams.By going 0–9 against these quality teams, the Cougars proved they were not worthy of anat-large bidto the NCAA tournament. Not surprisingly, two conference tournament wins against lower seeds and an unimpressive 18–15 overall record were not even enough to earn the team an invitation to the NIT.
Team goal: NCAA tournament (2007–10)[edit]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/27/Houston_Cougars_vs_Valpo_Crusaders_CBI_2008.jpg/220px-Houston_Cougars_vs_Valpo_Crusaders_CBI_2008.jpg)
In 2007–08 the team introduced a new nickname ( "The Show—In 3D" ) and a slightly new uniform (a changed trim design). The team hoped to reach the NCAA tournament for the first time since1992.Eight straight home games from November 21 to December 29 helped the Cougars get off to an 11–1 start. However, the team lost most of its critical games at the end of the season, including their last two games (both against theUTEP Miners). Houston received an invitation to theinauguralCollege Basketball Invitationaltournament and defeated theNevada Wolf Packand theValparaiso Crusadersbut lost to their conference rival, theTulsa Golden Hurricane,in the semifinal round.[19]
The2008–09 seasonbegan on November 11 with a two-point loss to theGeorgia Southern Eagles;this was the first game of the Division I college basketball season and the opening game of the 2K Sports Classic tournament inDurham, North Carolina.[20]A Cougars win would have meant a second round matchup with theDuke Blue Devils.[21]Overall, the Cougars played a balanced home and away regular season schedule. Fifteen games (three in November, three in December, four in January, three in February, and two in March) were played atHofheinz Pavilion.There were 14 away games (two in November, two in December, five in January, and five in February).
The2009–10 teamfinished the regular season 15–15 and 7–9 in C-USA, finishing seventh place in the conference. Following a 93–80 win overEast Carolinain the first round of the C–USA Tournament, the Cougars beatMemphis66–65, ending a string of four tournament titles for the Tigers. In the next game, they defeatedSouthern Miss74–66 to advance to the championship game. Finally, the Cougars beat #25 rankedUTEP81–73 to earn the conference's bid to theNCAA tournament,their first since 1992.[22]In the first round of the NCAA tournament, Houston, seeded 13th, was defeated 89–77 by 4th-seededMaryland.[23]
Penders announced his resignation as Houston head coach on March 22, 2010.[24]
The school hiredJames Dickeyon March 21, 2010.[25]
Joining the American (2013–23)[edit]
Beginning with the 2013–14 season, Houston joined the newly createdAmerican Athletic Conferencefollowing theBig East realignment.
In March 2014, Dickey stepped down as head coach because of "private family matters".[26]In four seasons with Houston, Dickey amassed a 64–62 record with no NCAA tournament appearances or conference titles.
On April 3, 2014, Houston hiredKelvin Sampsonas the new Cougars head coach.[27]Sampson had just become eligible to be a college coach again after receiving a five-year show cause penalty in 2008 for sanctions against him during his time asIndianahead coach.[27]In2014–15,Sampson's first season, Houston struggled again, finishing with a 13–19 record and 4–14 in the AAC.
The2015–16team led a resurgence, finishing 22–10 overall, 12–6 in conference, but lost in theAAC tournamentand in the first round of theNIT.
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1c/KelvinSampson.RobertJosephCruz.RJCPictures.jpg/220px-KelvinSampson.RobertJosephCruz.RJCPictures.jpg)
In2017–18,the Cougars compiled a 27–8 overall record, reaching the finals of theAAC tournamentand winning a game in theNCAA tournamentfor the first time since 1984.
In2018–19,the Cougars' success continued as they set a program record for wins with a 33–4 mark. They were AAC regular-season champions but fell in the finals of theconference tournament.They proceeded to theNCAA tournament,where they reached the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in 35 years.
In2020–21,the Cougars were ranked as high as No. 5 in the nation. After winning the AAC Tournament, the Cougars were awarded a #2 seed in theNCAA tournament.UH defeated Cleveland State, Rutgers, Syracuse and Oregon State to achieve their first Final Four appearance since1984.[28]They would lose to eventual national championsBaylorin the Final Four.[29]
During the2021–22season, the Cougars won the AAC regular season championship with a 15–3 conference record. They then defeated Cincinnati, Tulane and Memphis to win theconference tournament.With the conference championship, an overall record of 29–5 and ranked No. 15 in the nation, Houston received a #5 seed in theNCAA tournament.In the tournament, UH defeated UAB, Illinois and Arizona before losing to Villanova in the Elite Eight.
In2022–23,the Cougars' last season in the AAC, the team reached the number one ranking in the AP Poll, marking the first time they had held the top spot since1983.
Hello Big 12[edit]
In September 2021, the University of Houston was invited to join theBig 12 Conference,along with Cincinnati, UCF and BYU. The Cougars began Big 12 play in the 2023–24 season. In their first year of play, the Cougars went 32–5 overall, 15–3 in conference play, to claim an outright regular season title.
Conference affiliations[edit]
- Lone Star Conference(1945–1949)
- Gulf Coast Conference(1949–1950)
- Missouri Valley Conference(1950–1960)
- Independent (1960–1975)
- Southwest Conference(1975–1996)
- Conference USA(1996–2013)
- American Athletic Conference(2013–2023)
- Big 12 Conference(2023–present)
Top 25 finishes[edit]
The Houston Cougars have finished ranked in theAP Polland/or theCoaches Poll16 times in the program's history.[30]
Season | Final Record | AP Poll | Coaches Poll |
---|---|---|---|
1965–66 | 23–6 | 14 | |
1966–67 | 27–4 | 7 | 6 |
1967–68 | 31–2 | 1 | 1 |
1969–70 | 25–5 | 12 | 11 |
1970–71 | 22–7 | 14 | 18 |
1972–73 | 23–4 | 13 | 18 |
1977–78 | 25–8 | 16 | |
1982–83 | 31–3 | 1 | 1 |
1983–84 | 32–5 | 5 | 5 |
2017–18 | 27–8 | 21 | 22 |
2018–19 | 33–4 | 11 | 12 |
2019–20 | 23–8 | 22 | 23 |
2020–21 | 28–4 | 6 | 3 |
2021–22 | 32–6 | 15 | 7 |
2022–23 | 33–4 | 2 | 6 |
2023–24 | 32–5 | 3 | 3 |
Rivalries[edit]
Rice[edit]
Houston leadsRicein the series 66–18 through the 2023–24 season.[31]
SMU[edit]
Houston leadsSMUin the series 58–34 through the 2023–24 season.[32]
Head coaches[edit]
Coach | Tenure | Overall Record |
Conference Record |
Conference Regular Season Titles |
Conference Tournament Titles |
NCAA Tournament Appearances |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alden Pasche | 1945–1956 | 135–116 (.538) | 63–55 (.534) | 4 | 1 | |
Guy Lewis | 1956–1986 | 592–279 (.680) | 134–98 (.578) | 2 | 4 | 14 |
Pat Foster | 1986–1993 | 142–73 (.660) | 70–38 (.648) | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Alvin Brooks | 1993–1998 | 54–84 (.391) | 25–46 (.352) | |||
Clyde Drexler | 1998–2000 | 19–39 (.328) | 7–25 (.219) | |||
Ray McCallum | 2000–2004 | 44–73 (.376) | 24–40 (.375) | |||
Tom Penders | 2004–2010 | 121–77 (.611) | 56–38 (.596) | 1 | 1 | |
James Dickey | 2010–2014 | 64–62 (.508) | 26–40 (.394) | |||
Kelvin Sampson | 2014–present | 264–79 (.770) | 132–47 (.737) | 5 | 2 | 6 |
Totals | 1,435–882 (.619) | 12 | 8 | 25 |
Note: Through 2023–24 season.
Postseason play[edit]
NCAA Division I tournament results[edit]
The Cougars have appeared in 25NCAA tournaments.Their combined record is 40–30.
TheNCAAbegan seeding the tournament with the1978 edition.
Year | Seed | Round | Opponent | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1956 | Regional Semifinals Regional 3rd-place game |
SMU Kansas State |
L 74–89 L 70–89 | |
1961 | Regional Quarterfinals Regional Semifinals Regional 3rd-place game |
Marquette Kansas State Texas Tech |
W77–61 L 64–76 L 67–69 | |
1965 | Regional Quarterfinals Regional Semifinals Regional 3rd-place game |
Notre Dame Oklahoma State SMU |
W99–98 L 60–75 L 87–89 | |
1966 | Regional Quarterfinals Regional Semifinals Regional 3rd-place game |
Colorado State Oregon State Pacific |
W82–76 L 60–63 W102–91 | |
1967 | Regional Quarterfinals Regional Semifinals Regional Finals Final Four National 3rd-place game |
New Mexico State Kansas SMU UCLA North Carolina |
W59–58 W66–53 W83–75 L 58–73 W84–62 | |
1968 | Regional Quarterfinals Regional Semifinals Regional Finals Final Four National 3rd-place game |
Loyola–Chicago Louisville TCU UCLA Ohio State |
W94–76 W91–75 W103–68 L 69–101 L 85–89 | |
1970 | Regional Quarterfinals Regional Semifinals Regional 3rd-place game |
Dayton Drake Kansas State |
W71–64 L 87–92 L 98–107 | |
1971 | Regional Quarterfinals Regional Semifinals Regional 3rd-place game |
New Mexico State Kansas Notre Dame |
W72–69 L 77–78 W119–106 | |
1972 | Regional Quarterfinals | Texas | L 74–85 | |
1973 | Regional Quarterfinals | Southwestern Louisiana | L 89–102 | |
1978 | (4Q) | Regional Quarterfinals | (2L) Notre Dame | L 77–100 |
1981 | #8 | First Round | #9 Villanova | L 72–90 |
1982 | #6 | First Round Second Round Sweet Sixteen Elite Eight Final Four |
#11 Alcorn State #3 Tulsa #2 Missouri #8 Boston College #1 North Carolina |
W94–84 W78–74 W79–78 W99–92 L 63–68 |
1983 | #1 | Second Round Sweet Sixteen Elite Eight Final Four National Championship Game |
#8 Maryland #4 Memphis State #3 Villanova #1 Louisville #6 NC State |
W60–50 W70–63 W89–71 W94–81 L 52–54 |
1984 | #2 | Second Round Sweet Sixteen Elite Eight Final Four National Championship Game |
#10 Louisiana Tech #6 Memphis State #4 Wake Forest #7 Virginia #1 Georgetown |
W77–70 W78–71 W68–63 W49–47OT L 75–84 |
1987 | #12 | First Round | #5 Kansas | L 55–66 |
1990 | #8 | First Round | #9 UC Santa Barbara | L 66–70 |
1992 | #10 | First Round | #7 Georgia Tech | L 60–65 |
2010 | #13 | First Round | #4 Maryland | L 77–89 |
2018 | #6 | First Round Second Round |
#11 San Diego State #3 Michigan |
W67–65 L 63–64 |
2019 | #3 | First Round Second Round Sweet Sixteen |
#14 Georgia State #11 Ohio State #2 Kentucky |
W84–55 W74–59 L 58–62 |
2021 | #2 | First Round Second Round Sweet Sixteen Elite Eight Final Four |
#15 Cleveland State #10 Rutgers #11 Syracuse #12 Oregon State #1 Baylor |
W87–56 W63–60 W62–46 W67–61 L 59–78 |
2022 | #5 | First Round Second Round Sweet Sixteen Elite Eight |
#12 UAB #4 Illinois #1 Arizona #2 Villanova |
W82–68 W68–53 W72–60 L 44–50 |
2023 | #1 | First Round Second Round Sweet Sixteen |
#16 Northern Kentucky #9 Auburn #5 Miami (FL) |
W63–52 W81–64 L 75–89 |
2024 | #1 | First Round Second Round Sweet Sixteen |
#16 Longwood #9 Texas A&M #4 Duke |
W86–46 W100–95OT L 51–54 |
NIT results[edit]
The Cougars have appeared in 11National Invitation Tournaments(NIT). Their combined record is 5–11.
Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1962 | Quarterfinals | Dayton | L 77–94 |
1977 | First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals Final |
Indiana State Illinois State Alabama St. Bonaventure |
W83–82 W91–90 W82–76 L 91–94 |
1985 | First Round | Lamar | L 71–78 |
1988 | First Round Second Round |
Fordham Colorado State |
W69–61 L 61–71 |
1991 | First Round | Stanford | L 86–93 |
1993 | First Round | UTEP | L 61–67 |
2002 | Opening Round | Vanderbilt | L 50–59 |
2005 | Opening Round | Wichita State | L 69–85 |
2006 | First Round Second Round |
BYU Missouri State |
W77–67 L 59–60 |
2016 | First Round | Georgia Tech | L 62–81 |
2017 | First Round | Akron | L 75–78 |
CBI results[edit]
The Cougars have appeared in theCollege Basketball Invitational(CBI) three times. Their combined record is 3–3.
Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2008 | First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals |
Nevada Valparaiso Tulsa |
W80–79 W91–67 L 69–73 |
2009 | First Round | Oregon State | L 45–49 |
2013 | First Round Quarterfinals |
Texas George Mason |
W73–72 L 84–88OT |
NAIA tournament results[edit]
The Cougars have appeared in theNAIA tournamenttwice. Their combined record is 2–2.
Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1946 | First Round Second Round |
High Point Indiana State |
W63–34 L 43–62 |
1947 | First Round Second Round |
Montana State Northern Arizona |
W60–58 L 42–443OT |
Houston Cougars in the NBA draft[edit]
Houston has had 49 players selected in theNBA draft.[33][34]
Individual awards[edit]
National Coach of the Year award winners[edit]
Associated Press College Basketball Coach of the Year
|
Sporting NewsMen's College Basketball Coach of the Year Award
UPI College Basketball Coach of the Year
|
National Player of the Year award winners[edit]
All-Americans[edit]
Houston players have been named to anAll-Americanteam 20 times.[35][36]
Key[edit]
† | Consensus First-Team selection | ||||
‡ | Consensus Second-Team selection |
Year | Player | Position | Selector(s) |
---|---|---|---|
1960 | Gary Phillips | G | HAF (2nd) |
1961 | Gary Phillips | G | USBWA (1st), CV (1st), HAF (2nd) |
1963 | Lyle Harger | F | HAF |
1966 | Elvin Hayes | PF/C | SN(2nd), CV (2nd), HAF |
1967 | Elvin Hayes† | PF/C | AP (1st), USBWA (1st), NABC (1st), UPI (1st) |
1968 | Elvin Hayes† | PF/C | AP (1st), USBWA (1st), NABC (1st), UPI (1st) |
Ken Spain | C | CV (2nd) | |
1970 | Ollie Taylor | G | HAF |
1972 | Dwight Davis | PF | AP (2nd), CV (2nd), HAF |
1974 | Louis Dunbar | F | NABC (5th) |
1977 | Otis Birdsong† | SG/PG | AP (2nd), USBWA (1st), NABC (1st), UPI (1st) |
1981 | Rob Williams | PG | AP (3rd) |
1982 | Rob Williams | PG | SN(2nd), HAF |
1983 | Clyde Drexler‡ | SG/SF | AP (2nd), USBWA (1st), UPI (3rd) |
Akeem Olajuwon | C | CV (2nd),BT(3rd), HAF | |
1984 | Akeem Olajuwon† | C | AP (1st), USBWA (1st), NABC (1st), UPI (2nd) |
Michael Young | SF | AP (3rd), NABC (3rd), UPI (3rd),SN(2nd) | |
2021 | Quentin Grimes | SG | AP (3rd), USBWA (3rd), NABC (3rd),SN(3rd) |
2023 | Marcus Sasser† | SG/PG | AP (1st), USBWA (1st), NABC (1st),SN(2nd) |
2024 | Jamal Shead† | PG | AP (1st), USBWA (1st), NABC (1st),SN(1st) |
Note: Honorable Mention selections are not included.
Conference Player of the Year[edit]
The following Houston players have been named Conference Player of the Year while at UH.[37]
Season | Player | Position | Conference |
---|---|---|---|
1976–77 | Otis Birdsong | SG/PG | Southwest |
1980–81 | Rob Williams | PG | |
1982–83† | Clyde Drexler | SG/SF | |
1983–84 | Akeem Olajuwon | C | |
2020–21† | Quentin Grimes | SG | The American |
2022–23 | Marcus Sasser | SG/PG | |
2023–24 | Jamal Shead | PG | Big 12 |
† co-Player of the Year
Conference Coach of the Year[edit]
The following Houston coaches have been named Conference Coach of the Year while at UH.[38]
Season | Coach | Conference |
---|---|---|
1955–56 | Alden Pasche | Missouri Valley |
1982–83 | Guy Lewis | Southwest |
1983–84 | ||
1991–92 | Pat Foster | |
2017–18 | Kelvin Sampson | The American |
2018–19 | ||
2021–22 | ||
2022–23 | ||
2023–24 | Big 12 |
Individual honors[edit]
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductees[edit]
The following Houston players and coaches have been enshrined in theNaismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Year Inducted | Name | Position | Years at Houston | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
1990 | Elvin Hayes | PF/C | 1964–1968 | [39] |
2004 | Clyde Drexler | SG/SF | 1980–1983 | [40] |
2008 | Hakeem Olajuwon | C | 1981–1984 | [41] |
2013 | Guy Lewis | Coach | 1953–1986 | [42] |
Retired numbers[edit]
The Cougars have retired the numbers of five men's basketball players:
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^"Logos - University of Houston Athletics".June 12, 2018.RetrievedMarch 23,2019.
- ^"First UH basketball Coach Pasche dead".Houston Chronicle.1985-05-10.Retrieved2008-07-16.
- ^Duarte, Joseph (November 26, 2015)."Legendary UH basketball coach Guy V. Lewis dies".chron.com.RetrievedJune 11,2021.
- ^Duarte, Joseph (May 26, 2016)."Guy V. Lewis remembered as pioneer, innovator, visionary".chron.com.RetrievedJune 11,2021.
- ^Lopresti, Mike (March 31, 2016)."March Madness: How 1968's Game of the Century forever shaped basketball history".National Collegiate Athletic Association.RetrievedJune 11,2021.
- ^Joyce, Dick (March 29, 2020)."AP Was There: NC State stuns Houston 54–52 for '83 title".Associated Press.RetrievedJune 11,2021.
- ^Grobeck, Joe (April 30, 2020)."'Phi Slama Jama' Invented the Art of Dunking ".fanbuzz.com.RetrievedJune 11,2021.
- ^Solomon, Jerome (November 26, 2015)."Guy V. Lewis was much more than just a basketball coach".Houston Chronicle.RetrievedJune 11,2021.
- ^Duarte, Joseph (December 19, 2019)."Duarte: Guy V. Lewis' Hall of Fame induction tops all UH sports moments in 2010s".Houston Chronicle.RetrievedJune 11,2021.
- ^"Guy V. Lewis II, Hall of Fame college basketball coach, dies at 93".The Washington Post.November 28, 2015.RetrievedJune 11,2021.
- ^"Racism charged in pay to new Houston coach".United Press International.June 24, 1993.RetrievedJune 11,2021.
- ^"Houston Fires Coach Brooks".Associated Press.March 1, 1998.RetrievedJune 11,2021.
- ^Barron, David (March 18, 2020)."This date in UH history: Clyde Drexler returns as coach".Houston Chronicle.RetrievedJune 11,2021.
- ^"Drexler Quits As Houston Coach".CBS.March 30, 2000.RetrievedJune 11,2021.
- ^"Ball State's McCallum hired as basketball coach at University of Houston".Brainerd Dispatch.April 20, 2000.RetrievedJune 11,2021.
- ^"Cougars Play At Vanderbilt In Opening Round Of The 2002 NIT".uhcougars.com.March 10, 2002.RetrievedJune 11,2021.
- ^Barron, David (March 23, 2004)."UH hands reins to Penders With audio, poll".chron.com.RetrievedJune 11,2021.
- ^"Men's Basketball Game Notes at Houston, 12/3/2005".arizonawildcats.com.December 3, 2005.RetrievedJune 15,2021.
- ^Murphy, Michael (March 26, 2008)."UH NOTEBOOK: Penders enthusiastic about format of CBI".chron.com.RetrievedJune 12,2021.
- ^"Houston Postgame Notes vs. Georgia Southern (Nov. 10, 2008)".uhcougars.com.November 10, 2008.RetrievedJune 12,2021.
- ^Murphy, Michael (November 10, 2008)."Reloaded Cougars ready for basketball season".chron.com.RetrievedJune 12,2021.
- ^Lindsey, Shawn."COUGARS MAKE IT TO THE" BIG DANCE "".uh.edu.RetrievedJune 11,2021.
- ^"Men's Basketball Fights Hard But Falls To Maryland 89–77 at NCAA tournament".uhcougars.com.March 20, 2010.RetrievedJune 11,2021.
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- ^"Elvin Ernest Hayes 1990".www.hoophall.com.
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External links[edit]
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