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Today's starting lineup
Home, it's become quite apparent, is where the wins are for the Rockets. After dropping three straight to remain winless on the road, Houston returned home Wednesday and beat Oklahoma City for its ninth straight win at Toyota Center. Reserve guard Aaron Holiday played a key role in the victory as he continues to show his growing value off the bench.
Wednesday was another busy day for the Astros at MLB's winter meetings, with Houston trading for Kansas City reliever Dylan Coleman before adding two players and losing three in the minor-league Rule 5 draft. Astros players took to social media to bid goodbye to Martín Maldonado as the veteran catcher's time in Houston appears to be over after the addition of Victor Caratini.
Whose role will increase after Tank Dell's season-ending injury? Jonathan M. Alexander answers that and more questions from readers in his weekly Texans mailbag. In other Texans news, Dalton Schultz returns to practice and C.J. Stroud is second among all NFL players in Pro Bowl voting.
The Dana Holgorsen era at UH ended a little more than a week ago. School president Renu Khator reveals what was the "breaking point" when it came to deciding Holgorsen couldn't stay on as the Cougars' football coach. At Texas A&M, the Aggies hire Collin Klein from Kansas State to be their offensive coordinator. Meanwhile, defensive lineman Walter Nolen, one of A&M's highest-rated recruits, hits the transfer portal.
UH's intracity basketball matchup against Rice is no contest as the No. 3 Cougars dominate defensively again to remain undefeated. Texas A&M, ranked No. 21, returns home and rolls past DePaul. Twelfth-ranked Texas loses to No. 8 Marquette and former coach Shaka Smart in the Big East-Big 12 Battle.
Stat of the day: 15.6. Average margin of victory for the Rockets during their nine-game home winning streak.
 | Greg Rajan, Texas Sports Nation editor |
Rockets / NBA
Photo by: Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer
Trending upward
With his season-high 22 points in Wednesday's win over the Thunder, guard Aaron Holiday is showing he has value beyond being an emergency fill-in during Amen Thompson's absence.
- One streak ends, another continues: Led by a variety of contributors scoring and rebounding, the Rockets halted their losing streak at three games by beating the Thunder and stayed hot at home.
- Finally facing off: Nearly 18 months after being drafted back to back, the Rockets' Jabari Smith Jr. and Thunder's Chet Holmgren faced off in a regular-season game for the first time.
Astros / MLB
Photo by: Ed Zurga/Getty Images
Adding another arm
A trade with the Royals for reliever Dylan Coleman gives the Astros a young arm who provides flexibility with their payroll nearing the luxury-tax threshold.
- Comings and goings: The Astros were active in the minor-league phase of the Rule 5 draft, adding two players while losing three.
- Saying farewell: Martín Maldonado has not signed with another team yet but Astros players are posting public goodbyes to the catcher on social media.
- The Caratini file: What you need to know about new Astros catcher Victor Caratini.
- Big Apple blockbuster: The Yankees have acquired All-Star slugger Juan Soto in a mammoth trade with the cost-cutting Padres.
Texans / NFL
Photo by: Elizabeth Conley, Staff Photographer
Mailbag: Who's next man up?
Jonathan M. Alexander answers readers' Texans questions, including about which receivers' roles will increase after Tank Dell's injury and why Houston can't put away opponents earlier.
- Practice report: Dalton Schultz's return to practice is good news for the Texans after losing second-leading receiver Tank Dell to a season-ending injury.
- Polling well: Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud is popular among NFL fans as he sits second in Pro Bowl voting among all players.
- Fifth Down podcast: In this week's episode, Jonathan M. Alexander and Jerome Solomon break down Tank Dell's leg injury, the Texans' win over the Broncos, and what that means for the rest of their season
College Football
Photo by: Karen Warren/Staff Photographer
Inside the last days of Dana
UH president Renu Khator reveals what prompted her to conclude the football program had no future hope with Dana Holgorsen at the helm.
- Play-callier in place: Texas A&M hires offensive coordinator Collin Klein from Kansas State as new coach Mike Elko builds his staff.
- On the move: Defensive lineman Walter Nolen, of the highest-rated recruits to come to Texas A&M, is joining a slew of Aggies teammates in the NCAA transfer portal.
- Staying in Dallas: Oklahoma and Texas have announced they will keep their annual rivalry game at the Cotton Bowl through 2036 in a deal that includes significant renovations to the facility.
- Capping his comeback: Once told he wouldn't play again, UCLA senior defensive lineman Laiatu Latu was honored with the Lombardi Award by the Rotary Club of Houston.
College Basketball
Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer
The defense never rests
Third-ranked UH took control with a big early run and the Cougars' defense was suffocating again as they blew out Rice to improve to 9-0.
- Texas A&M 89, DePaul 64: No. 21 Texas A&M used a dominant first half to blow out DePaul as the Aggies rebounded from a loss at Virginia.
- Marquette 86, Texas 65: Tyler Kolek had 28 points, eight rebounds and six assists as No. 8 Marquette drubbed No. 12 Texas in the Big East-Big 12 Battle.
- Texas women 106, Long Beach State 62: Taylor Jones scored 21 points and had 10 rebounds and Rori Harmon added 17 points and six steals as No. 5 Texas defeated Long Beach State to continue its undefeated start to the season.
High School Football
Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer
Sizing up state semifinals
Check out our predictions as we break down the UIL state semifinal games this week.
- Going on the defensive: In winning all 14 of its games, Bellville's defense has been stout as the Brahmas find themselves in the state semifinals for the first time since 2012.
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