University of Houston Athletics
Men’s Hoops at #3 in Coaches Preseason Top 25
10/25/2022 1:11:00 PM | Men's Basketball
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Cougars collect 713 points with one first-place vote
HOUSTON – The University of Houston Men's Basketball program received 713 points and one first-place vote to stand at No. 3 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches preseason poll, released Tuesday.
This marked the highest preseason ranking for the Cougars in the Coaches poll since the 1967-68 team appeared at No. 2 in 1967.
With Tuesday's preseason poll, the Cougars have been ranked for 39 consecutive weeks in the Coaches poll, dating back to March 2, 2020.
North Carolina held the top spot with 778 points and 23 first-place votes, while Gonzaga stood at No. 2 with 769 points and five first-place votes. Kentucky received 697 points and the three first-place votes to check in at No. 4 with Kansas (660), Baylor (632), UCLA (560), Duke (552), Creighton (500) and Arkansas (498) completing the Top 10.
Three Houston opponents also appeared in the Coaches Preseason Top 25. Virginia, who the Cougars will face on Dec. 17 (1 p.m. CDT) in Charlottesville, Va., stood at No. 18 with 287 points.
The Cougars will play host to No. 19 Alabama inside the Fertitta Center at 2 p.m., Dec. 10, and meet No. 21 Oregon in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 20 (8:30 p.m. CDT). Houston also faces Saint Mary's (Calif.) at 8:30 p.m., Dec. 3 inside Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, as part of The Battleground 2K22. The Gaels received eight points in the preseason poll.
USA TODAY SPORTS PRESEASON TOP 25 (Oct. 25, 2022)
PRESEASON POLLS
Houston has been featured prominently in several preseason polls in October. Earlier this month, the Cougars received 1,404 points and a first-place vote to rank No. 3 in the Associated Press preseason Top 25.
The Cougars also were 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 American 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 and 2022 CBS Sports National 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
Fans may now purchase single-game tickets for the Cougars' 18 regular-season home games inside the Fertitta Center. Supplies are limited, and fans are encouraged to purchase soon before they run out.
To purchase single-game tickets, fans may call the Athletics Ticket Office at 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) during regular business hours or click here any time.
For the third straight season, the Cougars sold out of their season tickets for home games inside the Fertitta Center.
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 ranking for the Cougars in the Coaches poll since the 1967-68 team appeared at No. 2 in 1967.
With Tuesday's preseason poll, the Cougars have been ranked for 39 consecutive weeks in the Coaches poll, dating back to March 2, 2020.
North Carolina held the top spot with 778 points and 23 first-place votes, while Gonzaga stood at No. 2 with 769 points and five first-place votes. Kentucky received 697 points and the three first-place votes to check in at No. 4 with Kansas (660), Baylor (632), UCLA (560), Duke (552), Creighton (500) and Arkansas (498) completing the Top 10.Three Houston opponents also appeared in the Coaches Preseason Top 25. Virginia, who the Cougars will face on Dec. 17 (1 p.m. CDT) in Charlottesville, Va., stood at No. 18 with 287 points.
The Cougars will play host to No. 19 Alabama inside the Fertitta Center at 2 p.m., Dec. 10, and meet No. 21 Oregon in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 20 (8:30 p.m. CDT). Houston also faces Saint Mary's (Calif.) at 8:30 p.m., Dec. 3 inside Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, as part of The Battleground 2K22. The Gaels received eight points in the preseason poll.
USA TODAY SPORTS PRESEASON TOP 25 (Oct. 25, 2022)
| Rk. | School (First-place votes) | Pts. |
| 1. | North Carolina (23) | 778 |
| 2. | Gonzaga (5) | 769 |
| 3. | Houston (1) | 713 |
| 4. | Kentucky (3) | 697 |
| 5. | Kansas | 660 |
| 6. | Baylor | 632 |
| 7. | UCLA | 560 |
| 8. | Duke | 552 |
| 9. | Creighton | 500 |
| 10. | Arkansas | 498 |
| 11. | Tennessee | 486 |
| 12. | Texas | 449 |
| 13. | Arizona | 352 |
| 14. | Indiana | 324 |
| 15. | Auburn | 318 |
| 16. | TCU | 317 |
| 17. | Villanova | 300 |
| 18. | Virginia | 287 |
| 19. | Alabama | 176 |
| 20. | San Diego State | 173 |
| 21. | Oregon | 128 |
| 22. | Michigan | 122 |
| 23. | Illinois | 115 |
| 24. | Texas Tech | 107 |
| 25. | Dayton | 75 |
| Also Receiving Votes: |
Purdue 44, Texas A&M 37, UConn 31, Miami (Fla.) 31, Michigan State 29, Iowa 22, Providence 22, Florida State 13, Syracuse 13, USC 9, Virginia Tech 9, Saint Mary's (Calif.) 8, Wisconsin 7, Wyoming 7, UAB 6, Florida 5, Ohio State 5, Iowa State 4, Xavier 3, Drake 2, Rutgers 2, Toledo 2, Boise State 1. | |
| 2022-23 Houston opponents in bold |
PRESEASON POLLS
Houston has been featured prominently in several preseason polls in October. Earlier this month, the Cougars received 1,404 points and a first-place vote to rank No. 3 in the Associated Press preseason Top 25.
The Cougars also were 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 American 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 and 2022 CBS Sports National 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
Fans may now purchase single-game tickets for the Cougars' 18 regular-season home games inside the Fertitta Center. Supplies are limited, and fans are encouraged to purchase soon before they run out.
To purchase single-game tickets, fans may call the Athletics Ticket Office at 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) during regular business hours or click here any time.
For the third straight season, the Cougars sold out of their season tickets for home games inside the Fertitta Center.
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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