University of Houston Athletics
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Men’s Hoops Picked Second in Preseason Big 12 Coaches Poll
10/13/2023 9:57:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Cougars receive two first-place votes and 153 as they prepare for season in new league
HOUSTON – The University of Houston Men's Basketball program collected 153 points and a pair of first-place votes to stand second in the Big 12 Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, released by the league office Friday morning.
Kansas was tabbed as the league's preseason favorite with 168 points and was the only other school to receive first-place votes in voting by the league's head coaches. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own team.
Under the leadership of Head Coach Kelvin Sampson – who begins his 10th season at Houston in 2023-24 – the Cougars return six lettermen and two starters from last year's squad, which captured its fourth conference regular-season title in the last six years and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 or farther for the fourth consecutive season, a first in school history.
This marked the fifth consecutive season in which Houston was tabbed among the Top Two in its preseason poll.
The Cougars were picked as favorites in each of their final four seasons in the American Athletic Conference.
PRESEASON ALL-BIG 12 TEAM
Earlier this week, senior guard LJ Cryer and senior point guard Jamal Shead earned places on the Preseason All-Big 12 Conference Team
Cryer was named to the Preseason All-Big 12 Team while Shead was one of 11 student-athletes to receive Honorable Mention in voting by the league's head coaches.
Cryer was joined on the Preseason All-Big 12 Conference Team by Kansas center Hunter Dickinson, Kansas guard Dajuan Harris Jr, TCU forward Emanuel Miller and Texas guard Max Abmas.
Dickinson was named the league's Preseason Player and Newcomer of the Year. Baylor forward Ja'Kobe Walter was recognized as the Big 12 Preseason Freshman of the Year.
Shead was joined as an Honorable Mention by Walter, Jalen Bridges (Baylor), RayJ Dennis (Baylor), Kevin McCullar Jr. (Kansas), Arthur Kaluma (Kansas State), Tylor Perr (Kansas State), Dylan Disu (Texas), Tyrese Hunter (Texas), Dillon Mitchell (Texas) and Jesse Edwards (West Virginia).
BUY 2023-24 TICKETS
The Cougars have sold out of their season ticket allotment inside Fertitta Center for the 2023-24 season.
Information about group and single-game tickets will be available soon.
UP NEXT
Sampson and his Cougars open the 2023-24 season with their exhibition opener against UNC Pembroke – Sampson's alma mater – on Saturday, Oct. 28, inside the Fertitta Center.
Game time will be set for that exhibition contest in conjunction with the time of Houston Football's game at Kansas State that day.
Houston opens its 2023-24 regular season when it meets ULM on Monday, Nov. 6, inside the Fertitta Center.
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 as we begin Big 12 competition. 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.
Kansas was tabbed as the league's preseason favorite with 168 points and was the only other school to receive first-place votes in voting by the league's head coaches. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own team.
Under the leadership of Head Coach Kelvin Sampson – who begins his 10th season at Houston in 2023-24 – the Cougars return six lettermen and two starters from last year's squad, which captured its fourth conference regular-season title in the last six years and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 or farther for the fourth consecutive season, a first in school history.This marked the fifth consecutive season in which Houston was tabbed among the Top Two in its preseason poll.
The Cougars were picked as favorites in each of their final four seasons in the American Athletic Conference.
PRESEASON ALL-BIG 12 TEAM
Earlier this week, senior guard LJ Cryer and senior point guard Jamal Shead earned places on the Preseason All-Big 12 Conference Team
Cryer was named to the Preseason All-Big 12 Team while Shead was one of 11 student-athletes to receive Honorable Mention in voting by the league's head coaches.
Cryer was joined on the Preseason All-Big 12 Conference Team by Kansas center Hunter Dickinson, Kansas guard Dajuan Harris Jr, TCU forward Emanuel Miller and Texas guard Max Abmas.
Dickinson was named the league's Preseason Player and Newcomer of the Year. Baylor forward Ja'Kobe Walter was recognized as the Big 12 Preseason Freshman of the Year.
Shead was joined as an Honorable Mention by Walter, Jalen Bridges (Baylor), RayJ Dennis (Baylor), Kevin McCullar Jr. (Kansas), Arthur Kaluma (Kansas State), Tylor Perr (Kansas State), Dylan Disu (Texas), Tyrese Hunter (Texas), Dillon Mitchell (Texas) and Jesse Edwards (West Virginia).
BUY 2023-24 TICKETS
The Cougars have sold out of their season ticket allotment inside Fertitta Center for the 2023-24 season.
Information about group and single-game tickets will be available soon.
UP NEXT
Sampson and his Cougars open the 2023-24 season with their exhibition opener against UNC Pembroke – Sampson's alma mater – on Saturday, Oct. 28, inside the Fertitta Center.
Game time will be set for that exhibition contest in conjunction with the time of Houston Football's game at Kansas State that day.
Houston opens its 2023-24 regular season when it meets ULM on Monday, Nov. 6, inside the Fertitta Center.
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 as we begin Big 12 competition. 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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