University of Houston Athletics
Men’s Basketball at #3 in AP Preseason Poll
10/16/2022 8:03:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Associated Press PollBuy 2022-23 Tickets2023-24 Season Ticket Wait ListSupport Houston RiseJoin 50-50 Club
Cougars earn highest preseason ranking since 1983-84
HOUSTON – The University of Houston Men's Basketball program received 1,404 points and one first-place vote to stand at No. 3 in the Associated Press preseason poll, released Monday morning.
This marked the highest preseason AP ranking for the Cougars since the 1983-84 team checked in at No. 3 in November 1983.
It also was Houston's highest ranking in any of the two national polls since finishing at No. 3 in the last Coaches poll of the season following the Cougars' run to their sixth NCAA Final Four on April 6, 2021.
With Monday's poll, the Cougars have been ranked in 46 consecutive weeks in the AP poll, dating back to Jan. 20, 2020, to extend their school record.
North Carolina held the top spot with 1,532 points and 47 first-place votes, while Gonzaga stood at No. 2 with 1,479 points and 12 first-place votes. Kentucky received 1,364 points and the other two first-place votes to check in at No. 4 with Baylor (1,200), Kansas (1,200), Duke (1,168), UCLA (1,093), Creighton (1,060) and Arkansas (1,026) completing the Top 10.
Three Houston opponents also appeared in the Preseason Top 25. Virginia, who the Cougars will face on Dec. 17 in Charlottesville, Va., stood at No. 18 with 462 points.
The Cougars travel to Eugene, Ore., to meet No. 21 Oregon on Nov. 20 and will play host to No. 20 Alabama inside the Fertitta Center on Dec. 10.
ASSOCIATED PRESS PRESEASON TOP 25 (Oct. 17, 2022)
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE PRESEASON POLL
Monday's AP poll release is only the latest poll in which the Cougars were prominently featured. The Cougars were recently tabbed by the American Athletic Conference coaches as the league's preseason favorite for the fourth consecutive season
Houston was a unanimous selection as the preseason favorite, collecting 10 first-place votes and receiving 100 points to lead the poll. Memphis stood in second with 87 points and the other first-place vote
Senior guard Marcus Sasser was named the league's Preseason Player of the Year earned a place on the Preseason First Team while junior point guard Jamal Shead was named to the league's Preseason Second Team. Forward Jarace Walker was recognized as The American's Preseason Rookie of the Year.
ABOUT the HOUSTON COUGARS
Under the leadership of three-time American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year Kelvin Sampson, three starters and seven lettermen return from the Cougars' 2021-22 team, which posted a 32-6 overall record, advanced to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight, swept the American Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament titles and finished among the nation's Top 10 for the second straight season.
The Cougars have posted seven consecutive 20-win seasons, including a pair of 30-win campaigns, and competed in each of the last four NCAA Tournaments to tie a school record.
BUY 2022-23 TICKETS
For the third straight season, the Cougars sold out of their season tickets for home games inside the Fertitta Center.
Fans will have the opportunity to purchase a limited number of single-game tickets for the Cougars' 18 regular-season home games inside the Fertitta Center beginning Monday, Oct. 24.
To purchase single-game tickets on/after Oct. 24, fans may call the Athletics Ticket Office at 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) during regular business hours or click here and follow the appropriate links.
Fans who were unable to purchase season tickets in 2022-23 are invited to join the team's 2023-24 Wait List as the Cougars prepare to enter the Big 12 Conference. To join the 2023-24 season tickets Wait List, fans can click here.
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 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 (4687).
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.
This marked the highest preseason AP ranking for the Cougars since the 1983-84 team checked in at No. 3 in November 1983.
It also was Houston's highest ranking in any of the two national polls since finishing at No. 3 in the last Coaches poll of the season following the Cougars' run to their sixth NCAA Final Four on April 6, 2021.With Monday's poll, the Cougars have been ranked in 46 consecutive weeks in the AP poll, dating back to Jan. 20, 2020, to extend their school record.
North Carolina held the top spot with 1,532 points and 47 first-place votes, while Gonzaga stood at No. 2 with 1,479 points and 12 first-place votes. Kentucky received 1,364 points and the other two first-place votes to check in at No. 4 with Baylor (1,200), Kansas (1,200), Duke (1,168), UCLA (1,093), Creighton (1,060) and Arkansas (1,026) completing the Top 10.
Three Houston opponents also appeared in the Preseason Top 25. Virginia, who the Cougars will face on Dec. 17 in Charlottesville, Va., stood at No. 18 with 462 points.
The Cougars travel to Eugene, Ore., to meet No. 21 Oregon on Nov. 20 and will play host to No. 20 Alabama inside the Fertitta Center on Dec. 10.
ASSOCIATED PRESS PRESEASON TOP 25 (Oct. 17, 2022)
| Rk. | School (First-Place Votes) | Pts. |
| 1. | North Carolina (47) | 1,532 |
| 2. | Gonzaga (12) | 1,479 |
| 3. | Houston (1) | 1,404 |
| 4. | Kentucky (2) | 1,364 |
| t5. | Baylor | 1,200 |
| t5. | Kansas | 1,200 |
| 7. | Duke | 1,168 |
| 8. | UCLA | 1,093 |
| 9. | Creighton | 1,060 |
| 10. | Arkansas | 1,026 |
| 11. | Tennessee | 880 |
| 12. | Texas | 844 |
| 13. | Indiana | 745 |
| 14. | TCU | 735 |
| 15. | Auburn | 623 |
| 16. | Villanova | 578 |
| 17. | Arizona | 543 |
| 18. | Virginia | 462 |
| 19. | San Diego State | 394 |
| 20. | Alabama | 281 |
| 21. | Oregon | 260 |
| 22. | Michigan | 229 |
| 23. | Illinois | 215 |
| 24. | Dayton | 170 |
| 25. | Texas Tech | 122 |
| Also Receiving Votes: | Texas A&M 112, UConn 101, Miami 66, Purdue 56, Saint Louis 36, Michigan State 35, Florida State 32, Xavier 29, Wyoming 25, Ohio State 23, Iowa 13, Rutgers 4, Florida 3, USC 3, Toledo 1, Virginia Tech 1, Memphis 1, Notre Dame 1, UAB 1 | |
| 2022-23 opponents in bold |
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE PRESEASON POLL
Monday's AP poll release is only the latest poll in which the Cougars were prominently featured. The Cougars were recently tabbed by the American Athletic Conference coaches as the league's preseason favorite for the fourth consecutive season
Houston was a unanimous selection as the preseason favorite, collecting 10 first-place votes and receiving 100 points to lead the poll. Memphis stood in second with 87 points and the other first-place vote
Senior guard Marcus Sasser was named the league's Preseason Player of the Year earned a place on the Preseason First Team while junior point guard Jamal Shead was named to the league's Preseason Second Team. Forward Jarace Walker was recognized as The American's Preseason Rookie of the Year.
ABOUT the HOUSTON COUGARS
Under the leadership of three-time American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year Kelvin Sampson, three starters and seven lettermen return from the Cougars' 2021-22 team, which posted a 32-6 overall record, advanced to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight, swept the American Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament titles and finished among the nation's Top 10 for the second straight season.
The Cougars have posted seven consecutive 20-win seasons, including a pair of 30-win campaigns, and competed in each of the last four NCAA Tournaments to tie a school record.
BUY 2022-23 TICKETS
For the third straight season, the Cougars sold out of their season tickets for home games inside the Fertitta Center.
Fans will have the opportunity to purchase a limited number of single-game tickets for the Cougars' 18 regular-season home games inside the Fertitta Center beginning Monday, Oct. 24.
To purchase single-game tickets on/after Oct. 24, fans may call the Athletics Ticket Office at 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) during regular business hours or click here and follow the appropriate links.
Fans who were unable to purchase season tickets in 2022-23 are invited to join the team's 2023-24 Wait List as the Cougars prepare to enter the Big 12 Conference. To join the 2023-24 season tickets Wait List, fans can click here.
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 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 (4687).
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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