Men’s Basketball at #4 in Associated Press Preseason Poll

HOUSTON – The University of Houston Men's Basketball program was ranked #4 in the Associated Press preseason poll, released Monday.

The Cougars collected 1,343 points with four first-place votes in the poll to be ranked for their school-record 86^th consecutive poll dating back to the 2019-20 season. That stands as the nation's longest active streak.

This also marked the eighth straight season under the leadership of Head Coach Kelvin Sampson in which the Cougars were ranked for at least one week. Houston also earned its third straight AP Preseason Top-10 ranking under Sampson.

Monday's poll marked the Cougars' fourth-highest AP preseason ranking in school history trailing only the #2 ranking in 1967-68 and a pair of #3 rankings ahead of the 2022-23 and 1983-84 seasons.

Fans can see the complete AP Preseason Top 25 poll by clicking here.

ABOUT the COUGARS
Four starters and nine lettermen return from the Cougars' 2023-24 squad which posted a 32-5 overall record, captured the Big 12 Conference regular-season championship with a 15-3 mark despite a 1-2 start in the league, advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the sixth straight season and competed in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 for the fifth consecutive year.

Last week, the Cougars were picked to finish a close to in the Big 12 Conference Coaches Preseason Poll. Graduate stars J'Wan Roberts and LJ Cryer were named to the Preseason All-Big 12 First Team, making Houston the only school to earn that distinction.

It was the sixth 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.

The USA TODAY Sports Coaches Preseason Poll is scheduled to be released next week.

RANKED OPPONENTS
In 2024-25, Houston will play 11 games against nine opponents, which were ranked in the AP Preseason Top 25. Houston's schedule begins with a Charity Exhibition game against #13 Texas A&M inside Fertitta Center at 4 p.m., Oct. 27.

From there, the Cougars meet #11 Auburn in the second game of the Mattress Firm Battleground 2k24 inside Toyota Center in Houston on Nov. 9.

Houston will play a pair of Top-25 teams during the Players Era Impact Tournament inside MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The tournament begins at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 26 against #2 Alabama and closes against #25 Rutgers at 2:30 p.m., Nov. 30.

Fourteen Big 12 teams were ranked or receiving votes in the AP Preseason Top 25 with five among the Top 10.

The Cougars will meet #1 Kansas in Lawrence (Jan. 25) and in Fertitta Center (Senior Night, March 3) and #8 Baylor in Fertitta Center (Feb. 10) and in Waco, Texas (March 6) with single games at #10 Arizona (Feb. 15) and Fertitta Center showdowns vs. #5 Iowa State (Feb. 22) and vs. #20 Cincinnati (March 1).

In addition, Houston will play a combined five games against Arizona State, BYU, Kansas State and Texas Tech, each of which are receiving votes in the AP Preseason Top 25.

Altogether, the Cougars will play 16 games against 13 schools ranked or receiving votes in the Preseason AP Top 25.

BUY 2024-25 TICKETS
Fans can purchase tickets and parking passes for the Cougars' Oct. 27 charity exhibition game against Texas A&M inside Fertitta Center by clicking here.

Proceeds from the game will benefit the Greater Houston Disaster Alliance Hurricane Beryl Recovery Fund, which assists those who were affected by the storm.

The Greater Houston Disaster Alliance is a partnership between the Greater Houston Community Foundation and the United Way of Greater Houston, both of which are 501I(3) nonprofit organizations. As of Oct. 2, the fund had raised nearly $6 million to assist those in need.

Non-season ticket holders interested in purchasing season tickets are invited to place their names on the Season Ticket Wait List by clicking here.

SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Men's Basketball by supporting Linking Coogs – UH's NIL collective – and by joining the 50-50 Club, which provides financial support directly to Houston Men's Basketball for needs beyond its operating budget.

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.

STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on X, formerly known as 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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