UH Cougar Basketball

I have been fairly quiet on the goings-on over at Hofheinz Pavilion down on the campus of University of Houston, but Tom Penders' Coogs are now sitting at 9-1 after their annhilation of the Southern University Jaguars last Saturday night. For those unaware, this the best start to a season the Coogs have had in 15 years. The team is led by Robert "Fluff" McKiver, Lanny Smith, Dion Dowell, and the two freshmen you see above, Brockeith Pane and Zamal Nixon. The crowds thus far have been abyssmal at best, which is a shame because this is the deepest and most talented team we have had since our last NCAA tournament appearance and maybe even back to the Phi Slamma Jamma days. Granted, this group of Coogs are not as high-flying as those teams fielded by the great Guy V. Lewis in the early 80s, but this current crop can shoot anybody out of the gym.

The biggest issue this team faces is a lack of an inside presence, though the team is rebounding better than in previous years. The success of this team, as in years past, will entirely depend on how well it shoots the 3 because if they are falling, the Coogs can beat anybody. Penders is still working on the rotation and injuries are always a factor, but this team could be something special. So, if you are in town next Tuesday, December 18 (or if you just want to watch it at home - it is on ESPN2 at 8pm CT), come to Hofheinz and check out the Coogs as they play host to the University of Kentucky Wildcats.