University of Houston Athletics

Men’s Basketball at #7 in AP Preseason Poll
10/16/2023 10:58:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Cougars stand among nation’s Top 25 in AP Preseason Poll for fourth consecutive season
HOUSTON – The University of Houston Men's Basketball program stood at #7 in the 2023-24 Preseason Top 25 poll, released by the Associated Press on Monday morning. The Cougars received 1,117 points in the annual preseason poll.
Under the leadership of Head Coach Kelvin Sampson, this marked the fourth straight season in which the Cougars were ranked in a preseason national poll. The Cougars also enjoyed their 22nd straight poll among the nation's Top 10 and extended their school record to 65 consecutive weeks in at least one national poll.
Houston has not been unranked in the AP and Coaches polls since Jan. 13, 2020.
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.
PRESEASON BIG 12 HONORS
Last week, the Cougars collected 153 points and a pair of first-place votes to stand second in the Big 12 Conference Preseason Coaches Poll.
This marked the fifth consecutive season in which Houston was tabbed among the Top Two in its conference preseason poll. The Cougars were picked as favorites in each of their final four seasons in the American Athletic Conference.
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 five-man 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.
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.
Under the leadership of Head Coach Kelvin Sampson, this marked the fourth straight season in which the Cougars were ranked in a preseason national poll. The Cougars also enjoyed their 22nd straight poll among the nation's Top 10 and extended their school record to 65 consecutive weeks in at least one national poll.
Houston has not been unranked in the AP and Coaches polls since Jan. 13, 2020.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.
PRESEASON BIG 12 HONORS
Last week, the Cougars collected 153 points and a pair of first-place votes to stand second in the Big 12 Conference Preseason Coaches Poll.
This marked the fifth consecutive season in which Houston was tabbed among the Top Two in its conference preseason poll. The Cougars were picked as favorites in each of their final four seasons in the American Athletic Conference.
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 five-man 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.
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 –
Players Mentioned
POSTGAME — at #14 Kansas (Feb. 23, 2026)
Monday, February 23
POSTGAME — vs #4 Arizona (Feb. 21, 2026)
Saturday, February 21
POSTGAME — at Iowa State (Feb. 16, 2026
Monday, February 16
HIGHLIGHTS – vs Kansas State (February 16, 2026)
Sunday, February 15





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