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Houston Rises in National Poll
12/21/2020 12:36:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Cougars remain at No. 6 in Associated Press poll, climb to No. 7 in USA TODAY Coaches’ Top 25
HOUSTON – The University of Houston Men's Basketball program remained among the nation's Top 10 in both national polls released Monday afternoon.
The Cougars (5-0) gained 103 points for a total of 1,272 to remain steady at No. 6 in the Associated Press poll. Houston collected 559 points to climb to No. 7 in the USA TODAY Coaches' poll.
Houston returned to action after a 15-day break with an 88-55 win over Alcorn State inside the Fertitta Center on Sunday afternoon. Junior guard Quentin Grimes led all players with 27 points, while senior forward Justin Gorham snared a game-high 16 rebounds, including 11 offensive boards, against the Braves.
Junior forward Reggie Chaney finished with 18 points and six rebounds, while freshman guard Jamal Shead – making his first collegiate start – added 10 points.
This is the highest Houston has been ranked in the AP poll since finishing the 1983-84 season at No. 5. It is the highest ranking for the Cougars in the USA TODAY Coaches' poll since checking in at No. 6 in the Feb. 25, 2019, poll.
Under the leadership of Head Coach Kelvin Sampson, Houston Basketball has ranked among the nation's Top 10 for at least one week in two of the last three seasons. During the 2018-19 season, the Cougars appeared in the AP Top 10 for three straight weeks, eventually finishing at No. 11, after advancing to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 for the first time since 1984.
Prior to the 2020-21 season, the Cougars stood in both national preseason polls for the first time since November 1983.
UP NEXT
• The Cougars open American Athletic Conference play when they face Temple at 7 p.m., Tuesday, inside the Fertitta Center.
• That game can be seen on ESPN+ and can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and the TuneIn app.
• From there, Houston hits the road to take on UCF at 1 p.m., Saturday, inside Addition Financial Arena in Orlando.
• That game was rescheduled after COVID-19 issues forced the postponement of the Dec. 15 game against the Knights inside the Fertitta Center.
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.
The Cougars (5-0) gained 103 points for a total of 1,272 to remain steady at No. 6 in the Associated Press poll. Houston collected 559 points to climb to No. 7 in the USA TODAY Coaches' poll.
Houston returned to action after a 15-day break with an 88-55 win over Alcorn State inside the Fertitta Center on Sunday afternoon. Junior guard Quentin Grimes led all players with 27 points, while senior forward Justin Gorham snared a game-high 16 rebounds, including 11 offensive boards, against the Braves.
Junior forward Reggie Chaney finished with 18 points and six rebounds, while freshman guard Jamal Shead – making his first collegiate start – added 10 points.
This is the highest Houston has been ranked in the AP poll since finishing the 1983-84 season at No. 5. It is the highest ranking for the Cougars in the USA TODAY Coaches' poll since checking in at No. 6 in the Feb. 25, 2019, poll.
Under the leadership of Head Coach Kelvin Sampson, Houston Basketball has ranked among the nation's Top 10 for at least one week in two of the last three seasons. During the 2018-19 season, the Cougars appeared in the AP Top 10 for three straight weeks, eventually finishing at No. 11, after advancing to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 for the first time since 1984.
Prior to the 2020-21 season, the Cougars stood in both national preseason polls for the first time since November 1983.
UP NEXT
• The Cougars open American Athletic Conference play when they face Temple at 7 p.m., Tuesday, inside the Fertitta Center.
• That game can be seen on ESPN+ and can be heard on 950 AM KPRC and the TuneIn app.
• From there, Houston hits the road to take on UCF at 1 p.m., Saturday, inside Addition Financial Arena in Orlando.
• That game was rescheduled after COVID-19 issues forced the postponement of the Dec. 15 game against the Knights inside the Fertitta Center.
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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