University of Houston Athletics
Cougars Picked 11th in American Preseason Poll
10/30/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Oct. 30, 2014
--UHCougars.com--
NEW YORK, N.Y. - The University of Houston women's basketball team was picked 11th in the American Athletic Conference preseason coaches poll, the league office announced today.
The Cougars return nine letterwinners from last season's team, which finished 10th in American regular season play. Houston did build for the future with a 73-67 victory over Memphis in the First Round of the American Athletic Conference Tournament.
Head Coach Ronald Hughey, who is in his first season at UH, spent the prior decade as an NCAA Division I assistant. He has helped guide four different teams to the NCAA Tournament, including Second Round appearances by Florida State each of the last two seasons.
"I embrace the challenge that comes with being picked 11th in our conference," said Hughey. "Our program knows that building championships is a process, and we are looking forward to exceeding expectations this season."
Junior forward Marche' Amerson is Houston's top returner after averaging 10.4 points per game last season, good for 18th in The American. Amerson, Hughey, and junior guard Jessieka Palmer were UH's representatives at American Athletic Conference Basketball Media Day, held on Thursday at the New York Athletic Club in Manhattan.
Defending National Champion UConn was picked to repeat as American champions. The Huskies received all 100 possible points in the preseason poll.
Houston opens the 2014-15 season with an exhibition game against Huston-Tillotson on Sunday, November 9. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. CT.
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE PRESEASON COACHES POLL
The Cougars return nine letterwinners from last season's team, which finished 10th in American regular season play. Houston did build for the future with a 73-67 victory over Memphis in the First Round of the American Athletic Conference Tournament.
Head Coach Ronald Hughey, who is in his first season at UH, spent the prior decade as an NCAA Division I assistant. He has helped guide four different teams to the NCAA Tournament, including Second Round appearances by Florida State each of the last two seasons.
"I embrace the challenge that comes with being picked 11th in our conference," said Hughey. "Our program knows that building championships is a process, and we are looking forward to exceeding expectations this season."
Junior forward Marche' Amerson is Houston's top returner after averaging 10.4 points per game last season, good for 18th in The American. Amerson, Hughey, and junior guard Jessieka Palmer were UH's representatives at American Athletic Conference Basketball Media Day, held on Thursday at the New York Athletic Club in Manhattan.
Defending National Champion UConn was picked to repeat as American champions. The Huskies received all 100 possible points in the preseason poll.
Houston opens the 2014-15 season with an exhibition game against Huston-Tillotson on Sunday, November 9. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. CT.
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. UConn (10) - 100
2. USF (1) - 91
3. East Carolina 72
T-4. Temple - 67
T-4. Tulane - 67
6. Memphis - 54
7. SMU - 52
8. Cincinnati - 37
9. Tulsa - 28
10. UCF - 24
11. Houston - 13
First Team All-Conference
First Team All-Conference
*Breanna Stewart, UConn, Jr., F
*Courtney Williams, USF, Jr., G
Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, UConn, Sr., F
Moriah Jefferson, UConn, Jr., G
Ariel Hearn, Memphis, Jr., G
Second Team All-Conference
Feyonda Fitzgerald, Temple, So., G
Jada Payne, East Carolina, R-Jr., G/F
Alisia Jenkins, USF, Jr., F
Alyesha Lovett, Cincinnati, Sr., G
Kiah Stokes, UConn, Sr., C
Second Team All-Conference
Feyonda Fitzgerald, Temple, So., G
Jada Payne, East Carolina, R-Jr., G/F
Alisia Jenkins, USF, Jr., F
Alyesha Lovett, Cincinnati, Sr., G
Kiah Stokes, UConn, Sr., C
American Player of the Year
*Breanna Stewart, UConn, Jr., F
American Freshman of the Year
Kia Nurse, UConn, Fr., G
[*] denotes unanimous pick
[*] denotes unanimous pick
--UHCougars.com--
BUY SEASON TICKETS
Fans can take the first step toward the 2014-15 Houston Women's Basketball season by placing deposits with the Athletics Ticket Office at UHCougars.com or by clicking here. The deposit is not a fee and will go toward the cost of season tickets.
Under Hughey's leadership, the Cougars will play 11 contests against teams who qualified for NCAA postseason play a year ago with eight of those against American Athletic Conference rivals.
To purchase tickets in person, fans can visit the Athletics Ticket Stadium Office located on the northeast corner of TDECU Stadium, just outside of Gate 1 off Cullen Boulevard. Parking is available in the TDECU Stadium parking garage with the first 30 minutes free of charge. Regular business hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m., to 5:30 p.m.
All UH main campus students are admitted FREE to regular-season Women's Basketball home games with a valid student ID.
STAY CONNECTED
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarWBB on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at facebook.com/UHCougarWBB
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