University of Houston Athletics
Houston to Compete in 20-Game American Schedule
10/7/2020 9:04:00 AM | General
Cougars to face 10 league rivals in round-robin format starting in December
HOUSTON – For the first time in school history, the University of Houston Men's Basketball program will compete in a 20-game conference schedule, Head Coach Kelvin Sampson announced Wednesday morning.
The scheduling format consists of 20-game, double round-robin conference schedules in both men's and women's basketball for each of The American's 11 member institutions.
Conference play in men's basketball will begin with three windows for games in December (Dec. 14-17, Dec. 21-23 and Dec. 28-31).
The plan was developed in consultation with The American's athletic directors, senior woman administrators and COVID-19 Medical Advisory Group and was approved unanimously by the member institutions.
"This format provides a sensible and fair path for all of our men's and women's basketball teams in what will be a challenging upcoming season," American Athletic Conference Commissioner Mike Aresco said. "It allows each of our teams to play a consistent number of conference games and will ensure that they are competing against teams that are utilizing our strong health and safety protocols."
The Cougars have played 18-game conference schedules in each of their first seven seasons in The American.
The American's Men's Basketball Championship will be held March 11-14 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
The full conference schedules, along with television selections and game times, will be announced at a later date.
ABOUT the HOUSTON COUGARS
Sampson returns four starters and seven lettermen from last season's squad, which captured the American Athletic Conference regular-season title for the second straight season and posted 20+ victories for the fifth consecutive year, a first in Houston Basketball history.
With a 23-8 overall record and 13-5 mark in American play, the Cougars finished ranked among the Top 25 in both final national polls for the third straight year.
Guard Caleb Mills returns for his sophomore season after a record-setting campaign. The Arden, N.C., native led the Cougars with 13.2 points a year ago, becoming only the second Houston freshman to lead the team in scoring.
He was named to the American Athletic Conference Second Team and was joined on the league's All-Freshmen Team by fellow sophomore guard Marcus Sasser.
Junior Quentin Grimes finished second among the Cougars with 12.1 points per game, including a team season- and career-high 32 points in a road win at Rice early in the year.
Senior guard DeJon Jarreau averaged 9.0 points per game and led Houston with 3.3 assists per contest. The New Orleans native is looking to become only the eighth player in school history with three seasons with 100+ assists during his career.
Senior forward Brison Gresham returns as the team's leading shot blocker after swatting 37 opponent's shots in 2019-20. Senior forward Justin Gorham competed in all but one game a year ago and scored a season-high 11 points in his Cougar debut against Alabama State.
The Cougars will be boosted with the addition of five newcomers this season, including junior forward Reggie Chaney, freshman guards Tramon Mark, Jamal Shead and Ryan Elvin and freshman center Kiyron Powell.
JOIN the 50-50-CLUB
Fans are invited to join the 50-50 Club to support Houston Men's Basketball. 50-50 Club members help fund program necessities and enhance the experience for our student-athletes.
Fans who join the 50-50 Club will receive embroidered Jordan Brand team apparel, invitations to exclusive events, regular updates about the program and much more.
For more information or to sign up, fans may visit uhcougars.com/5050club or click here. To join the 50-50 Club, fans may call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (46874).
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarMBK or by visiting the team's Instagram page at UHCougarMBK.
Information from the American Athletic Conference was used in this report
The scheduling format consists of 20-game, double round-robin conference schedules in both men's and women's basketball for each of The American's 11 member institutions.
Conference play in men's basketball will begin with three windows for games in December (Dec. 14-17, Dec. 21-23 and Dec. 28-31).
The plan was developed in consultation with The American's athletic directors, senior woman administrators and COVID-19 Medical Advisory Group and was approved unanimously by the member institutions.
"This format provides a sensible and fair path for all of our men's and women's basketball teams in what will be a challenging upcoming season," American Athletic Conference Commissioner Mike Aresco said. "It allows each of our teams to play a consistent number of conference games and will ensure that they are competing against teams that are utilizing our strong health and safety protocols."
The Cougars have played 18-game conference schedules in each of their first seven seasons in The American.
The American's Men's Basketball Championship will be held March 11-14 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
The full conference schedules, along with television selections and game times, will be announced at a later date.
ABOUT the HOUSTON COUGARS
Sampson returns four starters and seven lettermen from last season's squad, which captured the American Athletic Conference regular-season title for the second straight season and posted 20+ victories for the fifth consecutive year, a first in Houston Basketball history.
With a 23-8 overall record and 13-5 mark in American play, the Cougars finished ranked among the Top 25 in both final national polls for the third straight year.
Guard Caleb Mills returns for his sophomore season after a record-setting campaign. The Arden, N.C., native led the Cougars with 13.2 points a year ago, becoming only the second Houston freshman to lead the team in scoring.
He was named to the American Athletic Conference Second Team and was joined on the league's All-Freshmen Team by fellow sophomore guard Marcus Sasser.
Junior Quentin Grimes finished second among the Cougars with 12.1 points per game, including a team season- and career-high 32 points in a road win at Rice early in the year.
Senior guard DeJon Jarreau averaged 9.0 points per game and led Houston with 3.3 assists per contest. The New Orleans native is looking to become only the eighth player in school history with three seasons with 100+ assists during his career.
Senior forward Brison Gresham returns as the team's leading shot blocker after swatting 37 opponent's shots in 2019-20. Senior forward Justin Gorham competed in all but one game a year ago and scored a season-high 11 points in his Cougar debut against Alabama State.
The Cougars will be boosted with the addition of five newcomers this season, including junior forward Reggie Chaney, freshman guards Tramon Mark, Jamal Shead and Ryan Elvin and freshman center Kiyron Powell.
JOIN the 50-50-CLUB
Fans are invited to join the 50-50 Club to support Houston Men's Basketball. 50-50 Club members help fund program necessities and enhance the experience for our student-athletes.
Fans who join the 50-50 Club will receive embroidered Jordan Brand team apparel, invitations to exclusive events, regular updates about the program and much more.
For more information or to sign up, fans may visit uhcougars.com/5050club or click here. To join the 50-50 Club, fans may call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (46874).
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarMBK or by visiting the team's Instagram page at UHCougarMBK.
Information from the American Athletic Conference was used in this report
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