Men’s Basketball Checks in at #2 in USA TODAY Sports Coaches Preseason Poll

HOUSTON – The University of Houston Men's Basketball program came in at #2 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches preseason poll released Wednesday.

Under the leadership of Head Coach Kelvin Sampson, the Cougars received 12 first-place votes and 749 points to rank only behind Purdue. The Boilermakers collected 18 first-place votes and 755 points.

Houston was ranked at #2 in the Associated Press preseason poll released a week ago. This was only the second time in school history that Houston was ranked as high as #2 in the AP preseason poll. The 1967-68 squad also received a preseason #2 ranking and stood among the nation's Top Two for the entire year.

This also marked the 107^th consecutive week that Houston has been ranked in the AP poll, the nation's longest active streak. The Cougars have been ranked in at least one national poll every week since Jan. 20, 2020.

Houston has been ranked for at least one week in each of the last nine seasons, tying the school record set from 1966 to 1975.

A year ago, the Cougars started the season at #4 in both national polls and finished at #2 after advancing to the NCAA Tournament National Championship Game. It was the fifth straight season that Houston finished among the Top 10 in at least one national poll.

Florida, UConn, Duke, St. John's, Michigan, BYU, Kentucky and Louisville completed the Top 10. Fans can view the full USA TODAY Sports Coaches Preseason Top 25 poll by clicking here.

UP NEXT
Houston opens its 2025-26 season during The Preview CBB Exhibition against Mississippi State at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 26, inside Fort Bend Epicenter in Rosenberg, Texas.

Tickets for the game are on sale now by by clicking here.

The Cougars begin their 2025-26 regular-season schedule when they play host to Lehigh on Monday, Nov. 3, inside Fertitta Center. Houston will unveil its 2024-25 NCAA Final Four banner on the Fertitta Center concourse, and Sampson looks to make history as he goes for the 800^th win of his career.

Single-game home tickets for all games inside Fertitta Center are now on sale, and fans are encouraged to purchase quickly while supplies last. The two-time defending Big 12 Conference Champions, the Cougars will play host to 16 home games inside Fertitta Center with seven in non-conference play and nine in Big 12 action in 2025-26.

Fans can purchase single-game tickets by clicking here.

Fans interested in purchasing group tickets may complete this form to be contacted by a member of the Houston Athletics Tickets Sales staff.

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

ABOUT the COUGARS
Houston returns three starters and seven lettermen in 2025-26, including All-Big 12 Conference honoree and Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship All-Tournament Team member Milos Uzan, Phillips 66 Big12 Championship Most Outstanding Player and NCAA Midwest Regional Most Outstanding Player guard Emanuel Sharp and Naismith Awards National Defensive Player of the Year presented by MOLECULE finalist and Lefty Driesell Award recipient Joseph Tugler.

The Cougars will be boosted with the addition one of the nation's top recruiting classes with freshman forward Chris Cenac Jr., freshman guard Isiah Harwell, freshman point guard Kingston Flemings, freshman guard Bryce Jackson and senior forward Kalifa Sakho.

In 2024-25, the Cougars set a school single-season record with 35 wins and advanced to the NCAA Tournament National Championship Game inside Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

Houston, which finished #2 in both national polls, won 31 of its final 33 games to end the season and advanced to the NCAA Final Four for the seventh time in program history – and the second time under Sampson – with a resounding 69-50 win over #6/6 (2) Tennessee during the NCAA Elite Eight in Indianapolis on March 30.

The Cougars swept the Big 12 regular-season and tournament championships in their second year in the league and set school and league records with a 19-1 mark in conference games. Houston became the first school to join a major conference and win the regular-season title in each of its first two years in the league in more than 100 years.

Houston posted a perfect 10-0 record in road games in Big 12 play, becoming the first program in NCAA Division I history to accomplish that feat in a season, and enter the 2025-26 season with the nation's longest active road winning streak at 14 straight games.

SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Men's Basketball by providing NIL opportunities 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 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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