Cougars Tabbed Second, Blair Unanimous All-League
10/12/2022 8:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Houston garners two first place votes, Laila Blair unanimously selected to the Preseason All-Conference First Team
HOUSTON – The American Athletic Conference released its Preseason Coaches' Poll and All-Conference teams on Wednesday with the University of Houston tabbed to finish second and junior guard Laila Blair named to All-Conference First Team.
Blair led the Cougars in scoring in 2021-22 with 13.3 points per game and total assists with 81, earning All-Conference Second Team honors. This year, the coaches in The American unanimously selected her as an All-Conference First Team selection.
Blair is supported by a veteran cast consisting of graduate forward Tatyana Hill and senior forward Bria Patterson, who each finished fourth and fifth on the team in scoring in 2021-22, respectively, and led the Cougars on the glass, rebounding 7.3 and 4.4 missed shots a game, respectively.
Senior guards Tiara Young and Britney Onyeje, the team's second and third leading scorers in 2021-22 also return for Houston.
The Cougars are coming off an 18-16 season in 2021-22 that extended deep into the postseason as they advanced to The American Championships semifinals and to the Sweet 16 of the WNIT.
Head coach Ronald Hughey's team was picked to finish second behind South Florida in 2022-23, garnering two first place votes as well.
South Florida earned 99 points, nearly unanimous selection of first place, with Houston garnering 89 points.
Houston's game in Tampa against South Florida Feb. 12 will be broadcast on ESPN2 in a matchup of the conference's top two preseason teams.
Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. South Florida (9) 99
2. Houston (2) 89
3. SMU 73
4. Tulsa 66
5. Tulane 56
Memphis 56
7. Temple 43
8. UCF 38
9. Cincinnati 34
10. Wichita State 32
11. East Carolina 19
First-place votes in parenthesis
Preseason Player of the Year
Elena Tsineke, Sr., G, South Florida
Preseason All-Conference First Team
Laila Blair, Jr., G, Houston*
Elena Tsineke, Sr., G, South Florida
Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu, Sr., F, South Florida
Savannah Wilkinson, Sr., F, SMU*
Temira Poindexter, So., F, Tulsa
Preseason All-Conference Second Team
Jillian Hayes, Jr, G, Cincinnati
Jamirah Shutes, 5th, G, Memphis
Dynah Jones, Gr., G, Tulane
Maddie Bittle, Sr., G, Tulsa
Maya Mayberry, Sr., G, Tulsa
*denotes unanimous selection
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Fans are invited to join the Fast Break Club to support Houston Women's Basketball. Fast Break Club members provide financial support directly to Houston Women's Basketball for needs beyond the program's operating budget. For more information about the Fast Break Club, click here.
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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 UHCougarWBB or on the team's Instagram page at @UHCougarWBB.
Blair led the Cougars in scoring in 2021-22 with 13.3 points per game and total assists with 81, earning All-Conference Second Team honors. This year, the coaches in The American unanimously selected her as an All-Conference First Team selection.
Blair is supported by a veteran cast consisting of graduate forward Tatyana Hill and senior forward Bria Patterson, who each finished fourth and fifth on the team in scoring in 2021-22, respectively, and led the Cougars on the glass, rebounding 7.3 and 4.4 missed shots a game, respectively.
Senior guards Tiara Young and Britney Onyeje, the team's second and third leading scorers in 2021-22 also return for Houston.
The Cougars are coming off an 18-16 season in 2021-22 that extended deep into the postseason as they advanced to The American Championships semifinals and to the Sweet 16 of the WNIT.
Head coach Ronald Hughey's team was picked to finish second behind South Florida in 2022-23, garnering two first place votes as well.
South Florida earned 99 points, nearly unanimous selection of first place, with Houston garnering 89 points.
Houston's game in Tampa against South Florida Feb. 12 will be broadcast on ESPN2 in a matchup of the conference's top two preseason teams.
Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. South Florida (9) 99
2. Houston (2) 89
3. SMU 73
4. Tulsa 66
5. Tulane 56
Memphis 56
7. Temple 43
8. UCF 38
9. Cincinnati 34
10. Wichita State 32
11. East Carolina 19
First-place votes in parenthesis
Preseason Player of the Year
Elena Tsineke, Sr., G, South Florida
Preseason All-Conference First Team
Laila Blair, Jr., G, Houston*
Elena Tsineke, Sr., G, South Florida
Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu, Sr., F, South Florida
Savannah Wilkinson, Sr., F, SMU*
Temira Poindexter, So., F, Tulsa
Preseason All-Conference Second Team
Jillian Hayes, Jr, G, Cincinnati
Jamirah Shutes, 5th, G, Memphis
Dynah Jones, Gr., G, Tulane
Maddie Bittle, Sr., G, Tulsa
Maya Mayberry, Sr., G, Tulsa
*denotes unanimous selection
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN the FAST BREAK CLUB
Fans are invited to join the Fast Break Club to support Houston Women's Basketball. Fast Break Club members provide financial support directly to Houston Women's Basketball for needs beyond the program's operating budget. For more information about the Fast Break Club, click here.
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 UHCougarWBB or on the team's Instagram page at @UHCougarWBB.
– UHCougars.com –
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