Convenience Big Store: A schedule for the ages

Note: You're receiving this email because you were previously subscribed to receive alerts about UH during March Madness. With the new basketball season just around the corner, we've launched a brand new newsletter to keep you up to date on the Cougars all year long. You can expect it in your inbox ever Tuesday morning. If you do not wish to receive these emails, you can unsubscribe at any time here.

Election Sale: 6 Months for 99¢

Unlock access to voting resources and critical coverage.

Act Now

Sale Ends Nov. 5 | Cancel Anytime

A basketball schedule for the ages

The 2024-25 University of Houston men's basketball schedule could be one for the ages.

As of now, the Cougars are scheduled to play nine games against teams ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 preseason poll, which would be the most in program history.

Five teams in the Top 10.

That includes No. 1 (Kansas) and No. 2 (Alabama).

Just a few years ago, UH coach Kelvin Sampson lamented how there was plenty of "hair pulling and teeth gnashing" to line up quality non-conference opponents. This year's slate includes No. 11 Auburn, Butler in the Big 12/Big East Challenge and games against Alabama, Notre Dame and either No. 13 Texas A&M/No. 15 Creighton/San Diego State/Oregon in The Player's Era Festival during Thanksgiving week in Las Vegas.

Then comes the Big 12 gauntlet that includes top-ranked Kansas (twice), No. 5 Iowa State, No. 8 Baylor (twice), No. 10 Arizona and No. 20 Cincinnati. And with plenty of moving and shaking, there's a chance there could be more with Texas Tech, Kansas State and BYU receiving votes.

"You can't worry about what's ahead of you in conference," assistant coach Kellen Sampson said. "We've got seven really, really gritty and tough games in the month of November. And they all come fast and furious.

"It's the upmost importance this year to get out of the blocks strong and fast, and we've got to be a pretty good version of ourselves pretty early."

One historical footnote: This would be only the third time — since the AP poll began in 1950-51 — that UH has played the Nos. 1 and 2 in the same regular season in school history. The only other times came in 1999-2000 (No. 1 Cincinnati and No. 2 UConn) and four games in 1959-60 (No. 1 Cincinnati and No. 2 Bradley), according to Houston Chronicle research.

The most ranked opponents for UH in the regular season — eight during the 1958-59 season and seven in 1959-60 and 1970-71 (five games against top 10 teams) seasons.

Joseph Duarte, University of Houston beat reporter

joseph.duarte@houstonchronicle.com

Looking Ahead

Auburn forward Johni Broome is a preseason All-America selection.

Photo by: John Bazemore, Associated Press

In a rematch of a second-round 2023 NCAA Tournament game, the No. 4 Cougars play No. 11 Auburn in the Mattress Firm Battleground 2k24 on Saturday at Toyota Center. Tramon Mark had a career-high 26 points in the game as the Cougars erased a 10-point halftime deficit to beat the Tigers 81-64.

Pay to play

Houston will pay $555,000 in guarantees for six non-conference home games this season, according to signed contracts obtained by the Houston Chronicle through an open records request.

UH will pay $95,000 each to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Hofstra and Troy; Jackson State, Louisiana and Toledo will receive $90,000.

As part of the contracts, UH will pay one nights' lodging (between 12 and 15 hotel rooms) and provide schools between 60 and 75 complimentary tickets.

The school said no contract was available for the Butler game, part of the Big 12/Big East Challenge.

Big 12 Stock Report

Image of two arrows, one points up, the other points down. Text reads: Who's up, who's down.

Photo by: Susan Barber

Trending Up

Jamal Shead: The former UH All-American point guard is averaging 6.4 points and 5.0 assists in nearly 19 minutes per game as a rookie for the Toronto Raptors.

Early-season marquee games: March Madness-type games during the opening week? Sign me up. The Big 12's Week 1 docket includes No. 8 Baylor-No. 6 Gonzaga (Monday), No. 1 Kansas-No. 9 North Carolina (Friday) and No. 4 Houston-No. 11 Auburn and No. 8 Baylor-No. 16 Arkansas (Saturday).

Trending Down

Jacob McFarland, a 6-foot-11 redshirt freshman center, suffered a broken leg during practice Oct. 29. While McFarland wasn't expected to contribute significant minutes in the frontcourt to begin the season, one program insider told me before the injury that McFarland would "become a bigger part of who and what we are as the year goes on."

Quote of the Day

“

Young and old is separated by thought process, not by age.

– UH coach Kelvin Sampson

”

Stat of the Day

Houston is 94-6 at Fertitta Center since it opened on Dec. 1, 2018. The Cougars currently own the nation's longest active home winning streak at 23.

🏀 Cougar Mailbag

Send me your questions: Follow me on X, formerly Twitter, hit reply to this email or share your questions here to be a part of this week's mailbag. Ask me anything!

Q: Why doesn't Kelvin Sampson ever recruit a true center? — @JorgeMa859638 via X

JD: That depends on your definition of a true center. "Not all bigs are for us," one program insider told me, adding the position has changed in recent years. The Cougars value athleticism and length (see wingspan of current players on the roster) and the ability to be a rim protector, defend the pick-and-roll and rebound. Among recent signees, Josh Carlton, Brison Gresham and Cedric Lath would fit UH's description as "true centers."

Q: What are UH basketball's thoughts on the "Houston Blue" uniform? — @RavishnRickCoog via X

JD: The plan is for the men's basketball team to wear a version of the blue uniform at some point this season, although the program is being tight-lipped. Whatever it is, I'm sure it will look sharp and be in demand.

Q: Who is your son's favorite player on the team? — @UHCoog10 via X

JD: For the current team, Gavin said his favorites are L.J. Cryer and J'Wan Roberts, although he's interested to see freshman Mercy Miller. His all-time Coogs: Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler and Jamal Shead. His mom has given him a history lesson. And he apparently watches a lot of YouTube videos.