The Houston Cougars men’s basketball team is a college basketball team that represents the University of Houston. The team competes in the American Athletic Conference (AAC). The Cougars have won 2 national championships (1968, 1983), 3 Final Four appearances (1968, 1983, 2022), 13 conference championships, and 23 NCAA Tournament appearances.
- Team Name: Houston Cougars
- Short Name: UH, Coogs
- Team Owner(s): University of Houston
- Prominent Players:
- Clyde Drexler
- Hakeem Olajuwon
- Elvin Hayes
- Clyde Lee
- Otis Birdsong
- Marcus Sasser
- Fabian White Jr.
- Tramon Mark
- Josh Carlton
The Cougars are one of the most successful college basketball programs in the country. They have a rich history and a passionate fan base. The Cougars are always a contender for the AAC championship and a national championship.
Some of the most prominent players in Houston Cougars history include Clyde Drexler, Hakeem Olajuwon, Elvin Hayes, Clyde Lee, Otis Birdsong, Marcus Sasser, Fabian White Jr., Tramon Mark, and Josh Carlton. These players have all gone on to have successful professional careers in the NBA.
The Houston Cougars men’s basketball team is a proud tradition of the University of Houston. The Cougars are always a contender for championships and they have a passionate fan base. The Cougars are one of the most successful college basketball programs in the country.
History about Houston Cougars men’s basketball Team
The Houston Cougars men’s basketball team was founded in 1945. The team’s first head coach was Alden Pasche. The Cougars competed as an independent team until 1971, when they joined the Southwest Conference. The Cougars won their first conference championship in 1972.
The Cougars’ most successful era was in the 1960s and 1980s. In 1968, the Cougars won their first national championship. They were led by Elvin Hayes, who was named the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament. The Cougars also won the national championship in 1983. They were led by Hakeem Olajuwon, who was also named the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament.
The Cougars have had a number of other notable moments in their history. In 1967, the Cougars defeated UCLA, ending the Bruins’ 47-game winning streak. In 1984, the Cougars lost to North Carolina in the national championship game. In 2022, the Cougars won the AAC tournament and advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.
Here are some of the team’s most notable moments in history year wise:
- 1968: The Cougars win their first national championship, defeating UCLA in the final.
- 1972: The Cougars win their first conference championship, defeating SMU in the SWC Tournament final.
- 1983: The Cougars win their second national championship, defeating Georgetown in the final.
- 1984: The Cougars lose to North Carolina in the national championship game.
- 2022: The Cougars win the AAC tournament and advance to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.
The Houston Cougars men’s basketball team is a proud tradition of the University of Houston. The Cougars have had a rich history and a passionate fan base. The Cougars are always a contender for championships and they have a history of producing NBA players.
Coaching Staff Information about Houston Cougars men’s basketball Team
Here is some information about the coaching staff of the Houston Cougars men’s basketball team:
Head Coach: Kelvin Sampson
- Sampson is in his 9th season as head coach of the Cougars. He has a record of 222-79 at Houston.
- Sampson is a veteran coach with over 30 years of experience. He has previously coached at Indiana, Oklahoma, and UConn.
- Sampson is known for his high-pressure defense and his ability to develop players.
Assistant Coaches:
Kellen Sampson
- Sampson is the son of Kelvin Sampson and has been on the Cougars’ coaching staff since 2014.
- He is a former player at Oklahoma and has also coached at UConn.
Mike Davis
- Davis is a former head coach at Indiana and Detroit Mercy.
- He is known for his defensive expertise and his ability to get the most out of his players.
Quannas White
- White is a former player at Houston and has been on the Cougars’ coaching staff since 2016.
- He is known for his ability to develop guards and his work ethic.
Kyle Smithpeters
- Smithpeters is a former player at Houston and has been on the Cougars’ coaching staff since 2020.
- He is known for his ability to connect with players and his passion for the game.
The Houston Cougars men’s basketball coaching staff is a talented group of coaches with a wealth of experience. They are all committed to helping the Cougars win championships and they have a proven track record of success.
Here are some of the coaching philosophies of the Houston Cougars men’s basketball team:
- Defensive Pressure: The Cougars are known for their high-pressure defense. They force turnovers and create easy baskets in transition.
- Player Development: The Cougars are committed to developing players. They have a strong track record of sending players to the NBA.
- Teamwork: The Cougars believe that teamwork is essential to success. They emphasize communication and trust on the court.
The Houston Cougars men’s basketball coaching staff is committed to winning championships and developing players. They have a proven track record of success and they are a talented group of coaches.
Houston Cougars men’s basketball Team information about players
| Name | Jersey | Position | Height | Weight | Year in HS | Rating |
| Marcus Sasser | 0 | Guard | 6’0″ | 185 lbs | Senior | 4-star |
| Jamal Shead | 1 | Guard | 6’2″ | 180 lbs | Junior | 4-star |
| Tramon Mark | 12 | Guard | 6’5″ | 215 lbs | Senior | 4-star |
| J’wan Roberts | 13 | Forward | 6’8″ | 225 lbs | Senior | 4-star |
| Jarace Walker | 2 | Forward | 6’8″ | 230 lbs | Freshman | 5-star |
| Fabian White Jr. | 3 | Forward | 6’8″ | 225 lbs | Senior | 4-star |
| Josh Carlton | 20 | Center | 7’0″ | 265 lbs | Senior | 4-star |
| Ryan Elvin | 24 | Guard | 6’5″ | 195 lbs | Senior | 3-star |
These players are all expected to play key roles for the Cougars this season. They are all talented players with a lot of potential. The Cougars are hoping that these players can lead them to a successful season.
Here are some additional details about these players:
- Marcus Sasser is a two-time All-AAC selection. He is a dynamic scorer who can shoot the three-ball and create his own shot.
- Jamal Shead is a lockdown defender who can also score the ball. He is a great leader and a vocal presence on the court.
- Tramon Mark is a versatile player who can play multiple positions. He is a good shooter and a solid rebounder.
- J’wan Roberts is a physical presence in the paint. He is a good rebounder and a shot blocker.
- Jarace Walker is a highly-touted freshman who is expected to make an immediate impact. He is a versatile player who can score inside and out.
- Fabian White Jr. is a solid rebounder and a good defender. He is a good passer and a solid ball-handler for his size.
- Josh Carlton is a skilled big man who can score inside and out. He is a good rebounder and a good defender.
- Ryan Elvin is a three-point shooter who can also play some defense. He is a good leader and a vocal presence on the court.
The Houston Cougars men’s basketball team is a talented team with a lot of potential. They have a number of key players who are expected to play big roles this season. The Cougars are hoping that these players can lead them to a successful season.
Houston Cougars men’s basketball Team’s last 10 years of records
| Year | Overall | AAC | Postseason |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-14 | 21-13 | 9-7 | NIT First Round |
| 2014-15 | 13-19 | 4-14 | No Postseason |
| 2015-16 | 22-10 | 12-6 | AAC Tournament Champions |
| 2016-17 | 27-8 | 15-3 | NCAA Tournament Second Round |
| 2017-18 | 27-8 | 16-2 | NCAA Tournament Second Round |
| 2018-19 | 33-4 | 18-0 | NCAA Tournament Elite Eight |
| 2019-20 | 28-4 | 16-2 | NCAA Tournament First Round |
| 2020-21 | 16-8 | 10-6 | NIT Second Round |
| 2021-22 | 29-5 | 16-2 | NCAA Tournament Elite Eight |
As you can see, the Houston Cougars men’s basketball team has had a lot of success in recent years. They have won two AAC Tournament championships and they have made the NCAA Tournament in 7 of the last 10 years. The Cougars are hoping to continue their success in the years to come.
Season Preview: Houston Cougars men’s basketball Team
The Cougars are coming off a successful season in which they won the AAC regular season championship and advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. They return a number of key players from that team, including Marcus Sasser, Jamal Shead, Tramon Mark, J’wan Roberts, and Fabian White Jr. They also added a number of talented recruits, including Jarace Walker, who is a highly-touted freshman.
The Cougars are expected to be one of the top teams in the AAC this season. They have a lot of talent and experience, and they are well-coached by Kelvin Sampson. However, they will face some challenges. The AAC is a tough conference, and the Cougars will need to stay healthy in order to be successful.
Strengths:
- Talent: The Cougars have a lot of talent on their roster. They have a number of players who can score the ball, and they are also a good defensive team.
- Experience: The Cougars return a number of experienced players from last season. This experience will be important in the close games that the Cougars are likely to play in the AAC.
- Coaching: Kelvin Sampson is a proven coach who has a lot of experience in the AAC. He is a good recruiter, and he is able to get the most out of his players.
Weaknesses:
- Depth: The Cougars do not have a lot of depth on their roster. If they suffer any injuries, it could be difficult for them to replace those players.
- Size: The Cougars are not a very big team. They will need to make up for their lack of size with their athleticism and speed.
Houston Cougars’s upcoming games:
Houston Cougars Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time (CT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 7 | UT Arlington | Fertitta Center | 7:00 PM |
| November 10 | Alcorn State | Fertitta Center | 7:00 PM |
| November 12 | Texas Southern | Fertitta Center | 7:00 PM |
| November 17 | at TCU | Fort Worth, TX | 7:00 PM |
| November 19 | at Oklahoma State | Stillwater, OK | 3:00 PM |
| November 22 | at Memphis | Memphis, TN | 7:00 PM |
| November 25 | at Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 2:00 PM |
| November 29 | at SMU | Dallas, TX | 7:00 PM |
Overall, the Cougars are a talented team with a lot of potential. They are expected to be one of the top teams in the AAC this season. However, they will face some challenges, such as their lack of depth and their size. If they can stay healthy and play to their potential, they could be a dangerous team in the NCAA Tournament.
FAQs about the Houston Cougars men’s basketball team
1. What is the Houston Cougars men’s basketball team’s nickname?
The Houston Cougars men’s basketball team’s nickname is the Cougars.
2. What is the Houston Cougars men’s basketball team’s home arena?
The Houston Cougars men’s basketball team’s home arena is the Fertitta Center.
3. Who is the head coach of the Houston Cougars men’s basketball team?
The head coach of the Houston Cougars men’s basketball team is Kelvin Sampson.
4. What are the Houston Cougars men’s basketball team’s colors?
The Houston Cougars men’s basketball team’s colors are red, white, and black.
5. What are the Houston Cougars men’s basketball team’s most notable achievements?
The Houston Cougars men’s basketball team has won 2 national championships (1968, 1983), 3 Final Four appearances (1968, 1983, 2022), 13 conference championships, and 23 NCAA Tournament appearances.
