Houston at No. 18 in USA TODAY Coaches Preseason Poll

HOUSTON – The University of Houston Men's Basketball program begins the 2020-21 season tied for No. 18 in the USA TODAY Coaches' Preseason Poll, which was released Thursday morning. The Cougars collected 203 points to tie with Florida State.

This was the second preseason national poll in which the Cougars found themselves among the nation's Top-20 leaders. Houston earned 438 points in the first poll of the year from the Associated Press to stand at No. 17.

It was the first time since November 1983 that the Cougars were ranked among the Top 25 in the AP preseason poll.

Under the leadership of Head Coach Kelvin Sampson, the Cougars have been a regular in the national polls. Houston has been ranked for a total of 30 weeks during the last three years and finished among the Top 25 leaders in each of the last three polls.

Houston broke into the Top 25 midway through the 2019-20 season and remained there for nine straight weeks. The 2018-19 squad was ranked for 16 consecutive weeks, rising as high as No. 6 in the USA TODAY Coaches' poll, while the 2017-18 team entered the Top 25 late and stayed there for the rest of the season.

ABOUT the HOUSTON COUGARS
Sampson returns four starters and seven lettermen from last season's squad. 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.

Mills was recognized as The American's Preseason Player of the Year in voting by the league's head coaches and recently was one of 20 players nationally named to the Jerry West Award Preseason Watch List.

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.

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.

– UHCougars.com –

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