University of Houston Athletics
Ray McCallum Responds
2/13/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 13, 2002
Willie Lane of Carrollton, Texas asks:
"By my count, in 2003-04 there will be only three players from the current roster with remaining eligibility. What are our scholarship numbers for the next few years? How do you hope to shore up the numbers in the next two years?"
Coach McCallum:
"We signed three players during the early signing period and we have two scholarships remaining for this year. We plan to sign four players next year, which is the maximum number of scholarships we can award as per NCAA regulations.
Marc Minatrea of Temple, Texas asks:
"I know there are a couple of transfers playing on the team this year and another becoming eligible next season. Is your ultimate goal to mainly recruit the Greater Houston area and the state of Texas? Also do you believe that UH can win on the national level with mainly local talent like the Cougars did in the early 1980's?
Coach McCallum:
"We want to sign the players from the Houston area and throughout the state of Texas. But, we also want to go out and recruit the best talent available in the nation. If there is an outstanding class in the Houston area like there was in the late 1970's and early '80's, we would try to sign them. But, in college basketball today, you have to recruit on the national level."
Ron Hilburn of Houston, Texas asks:
"Which school benefited more when UH went to Prairie View A&M earlier this season?"
Coach McCallum:
"It benefits their program to have a major Division I school play on their campus. They had a good crowd come to the game. For us, it was an opportunity to play away from Hofheinz Pavilion and this game was substituted late in the fall for the Georgetown road game after we couldn't find a mutual date to play."
David Pattison of Houston asks:
"Did Patrick Okafor put on a lot of muscle over the summer or has his improvement resulted from the presence of Louis Truscott on the frontline? "
Coach McCallum:
"Patrick worked extremely hard last summer and during the fall preseason drills to increase his strength and develop better post moves. His improved play is a result of his hard work."
Antonio Farach of Houston asks:
"I noticed that every top team in the NCAA has a BIG man. We seem to be undersized in that respect. Would you agree that this is critical issue that needs to be addressed in future recruiting classes?"
Coach McCallum:
"We have signed a seven-foot center during the early period in Anwar Ferguson. We would like to get bigger as a team, but I also believe that we can win with athletic players too."
Stan Binion of Houston asks:
"What type of players do you hope to get with our two remaining scholarships this year?"
Coach McCallum:
"We want to sign either one or two post players with some size. But, we possibly may look to sign another point guard if the right one is available."
Scott Wiseman of Houston, Texas asks: "What can we do as alumni besides the obvious of attending games to help spread your philosophy and passion about rebuilding this program?"
Coach McCallum:
"We need you to communicate to your friends, fellow alumni and associates about how committed the staff and players are making here to move up in Conference USA. This means a lot because it spreads to high school coaches and to recruits and their families."
