University of Houston Athletics
Houston Picked as The American Preseason Favorite
10/12/2021 5:11:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Cougars picked No. 1 for third straight year; guard Marcus Sasser named to Preseason First Team
HOUSTON – For the third consecutive season, the University of Houston Men's Basketball program was tabbed as the preseason favorite in the American Athletic Conference Coaches' Preseason Poll, released Wednesday morning during the league's annual Media Day.
Junior guard Marcus Sasser earned a place on the Preseason All-Conference Team.
The Cougars received eight first-place votes from the league's head coaches, totaling 98 points. Houston finished six points ahead of Memphis, which received the remaining three first-place votes.
Following Memphis, SMU (77), Wichita State (76), UCF (66), Cincinnati (52), Tulsa (43), Temple (37), South Florida (25), Tulane (25) and East Carolina (14) rounded out the rest of the poll.
Sasser was joined on the Preseason First Team by Jalen Duren (Memphis), Landers Nolley II (Memphis ), Kendric Davis (SMU) and Tyson Etienne (Wichita State).
Brandon Mahan (UCF), Emoni Bates (Memphis), Deandre Williams (Memphis), Jeremiah Davenport (Cincinnati) and Jaylen Forbes (Tulane ) made up the Preseason Second Team.
Etienne was named the Preseason Player of the Year, while Memphis freshman Jalen Duren was selected as the league's Rookie of the Year.
Houston tied with Memphis as the No. 1 team in Preseason Poll a year ago. With a 23-8 overall record and 13-5 mark in American Athletic Conference play, the Cougars captured their second straight regular-season title for only the second time in school history.
ABOUT MARCUS SASSER
Sasser was a leader on the Cougars' 2020-21 team, which posted a 28-4 overall record, captured the American Athletic Conference Tournament title and advance to the NCAA Final Four for the sixth time in school history and the first time in nearly 40 years.
The Dallas native enters 2021-22 as the Cougars' leading returning scorer with 13.7 points per game and drained 78 3-pointers a year ago.
He posted five 20-point games, including a season-high 28 points against Tulane inside the Fertitta Center in January and added back-to-back efforts late in the NCAA Tournament against Oregon State and Baylor.
Sasser stood among The American's Top-15 leaders in both 3-point field goals per game and 3-point field goal percentage and was named to the United States Basketball Writers Association District 24 First Team.
He also was a two-time American Athletic Conference Player of the Week selection.
2021 AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE COACHES PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
2021 AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE COACHES PRESEASON TEAMS & AWARDS
PRESEASON PLAYER of the YEAR
Tyson Etienne, Wichita State
PRESEASON ROOKIE of the YEAR
Jalen Duren, Memphis
FIRST TEAM
* – unanimous selections
SECOND TEAM
MINI-PLAN PACKAGES
In the 2-Game White package, Houston Basketball fans may see the Cougars' Feb. 12 game against Memphis PLUS their choice of a non-conference game (excluding the Virginia game), starting at $45.
BUY 2021-22 TICKETS
To purchase season tickets and/or mini-plans, fans can click those links anytime or call 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) during regular business hours.
SCHEDULE
The Cougars recently revealed their 2021-22 schedule, which features 17 regular-season home games, including a Nov. 6 exhibition against Montana Tech, with nine American Athletic Conference contests 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.
Junior guard Marcus Sasser earned a place on the Preseason All-Conference Team.
The Cougars received eight first-place votes from the league's head coaches, totaling 98 points. Houston finished six points ahead of Memphis, which received the remaining three first-place votes.
Following Memphis, SMU (77), Wichita State (76), UCF (66), Cincinnati (52), Tulsa (43), Temple (37), South Florida (25), Tulane (25) and East Carolina (14) rounded out the rest of the poll.
Sasser was joined on the Preseason First Team by Jalen Duren (Memphis), Landers Nolley II (Memphis ), Kendric Davis (SMU) and Tyson Etienne (Wichita State).
Brandon Mahan (UCF), Emoni Bates (Memphis), Deandre Williams (Memphis), Jeremiah Davenport (Cincinnati) and Jaylen Forbes (Tulane ) made up the Preseason Second Team.
Etienne was named the Preseason Player of the Year, while Memphis freshman Jalen Duren was selected as the league's Rookie of the Year.
Houston tied with Memphis as the No. 1 team in Preseason Poll a year ago. With a 23-8 overall record and 13-5 mark in American Athletic Conference play, the Cougars captured their second straight regular-season title for only the second time in school history.
ABOUT MARCUS SASSERSasser was a leader on the Cougars' 2020-21 team, which posted a 28-4 overall record, captured the American Athletic Conference Tournament title and advance to the NCAA Final Four for the sixth time in school history and the first time in nearly 40 years.
The Dallas native enters 2021-22 as the Cougars' leading returning scorer with 13.7 points per game and drained 78 3-pointers a year ago.
He posted five 20-point games, including a season-high 28 points against Tulane inside the Fertitta Center in January and added back-to-back efforts late in the NCAA Tournament against Oregon State and Baylor.
Sasser stood among The American's Top-15 leaders in both 3-point field goals per game and 3-point field goal percentage and was named to the United States Basketball Writers Association District 24 First Team.
He also was a two-time American Athletic Conference Player of the Week selection.
2021 AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE COACHES PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
| Rk. | School (1st-place votes) | Pts. |
| 1. | Houston (8) | 98 |
| 2. | Memphis (3) | 92 |
| 3. | SMU | 77 |
| 4. | Wichita State | 76 |
| 5. | UCF | 66 |
| 6. | Cincinnati | 52 |
| 7. | Tulsa | 43 |
| 8. | Temple | 37 |
| t9. | South Florida | 25 |
| t9. | Tulane | 25 |
| 11. | East Carolina | 14 |
2021 AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE COACHES PRESEASON TEAMS & AWARDS
PRESEASON PLAYER of the YEAR
Tyson Etienne, Wichita State
PRESEASON ROOKIE of the YEAR
Jalen Duren, Memphis
FIRST TEAM
| Player | School |
| Marcus Sasser | Houston |
| Jalen Duren | Memphis |
| Landers Nolley II | Memphis |
| * Kendric Davis | SMU |
| * Tyson Etienne | Wichita State |
SECOND TEAM
| Player | School |
| Brandon Mahan | UCF |
| Emoni Bates | Memphis |
| Deandre Williams | Memphis |
| Jeremiah Davenport | Cincinnati |
| Jaylen Forbes | Tulane |
MINI-PLAN PACKAGES
In the 2-Game White package, Houston Basketball fans may see the Cougars' Feb. 12 game against Memphis PLUS their choice of a non-conference game (excluding the Virginia game), starting at $45.
BUY 2021-22 TICKETS
To purchase season tickets and/or mini-plans, fans can click those links anytime or call 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) during regular business hours.
SCHEDULE
The Cougars recently revealed their 2021-22 schedule, which features 17 regular-season home games, including a Nov. 6 exhibition against Montana Tech, with nine American Athletic Conference contests 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 –
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballKINGSTON FLEMINGS – NBA Draft Announcement (April 19, 2026)
Sunday, April 19
CHRIS CENAC Jr. (April 10, 2026)
Tuesday, April 14
COACH KELVIN SAMPSON (April 9, 2026)
Thursday, April 09
PREVIEW – Coach Kelvin Sampson vs. #13/12 (3) Illinois (March 23, 2026)
Tuesday, March 24