2017–18 Houston Cougars men's basketball team

The 2017–18 Houston Cougars men's basketball team represented the University of Houston during the 2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Cougars were led by fourth-year head coach Kelvin Sampson as members of the American Athletic Conference. Due to renovations to the Cougars home arena, Hofheinz Pavilion, they played their home games at the H&PE Arena on the campus of Texas Southern University.

2017–18 Houston Cougars men's basketball
NCAA Tournament, Second Round
Ranking
CoachesNo. 22
APNo. 21
2017–18 record27–8 (14–4 AAC)
Head coachKelvin Sampson (4th season)
Assistant coaches
Home arenaH&PE Arena (temporary arena)
2017–18 American Athletic Conference men's basketball standings
Conf  Overall
TeamW L PCT  W L PCT
No. 6 Cincinnati162 .889  315  .861
No. 21 Houston144 .778  278  .771
No. 16 Wichita State144 .778  258  .758
Tulsa126 .667  1912  .613
Memphis108 .556  2113  .618
UCF99 .500  1913  .594
Temple810 .444  1716  .515
UConn711 .389  1418  .438
SMU612 .333  1716  .515
Tulane513 .278  1417  .452
East Carolina414 .222  1020  .333
South Florida315 .167  1022  .313
2018 AAC Tournament winner
Rankings from AP Poll

The Cougars ended the season with a record of 27–8. They tied for second place in regular-season conference play with a record of 14–4. As the No. 3 seed in the AAC tournament, Houston advanced to the final game, losing 56–55 to the Cincinnati Bearcats. The Cougars earned a No. 6 seed in the West Regional of the NCAA Tournament, where they advanced to the second round before falling to the Michigan Wolverines by a score of 64–63.

Previous season

The Cougars finished the 2016–17 season 21–11, 12–6 in AAC play to finish in third place. They lost to UConn in the quarterfinals of the AAC Tournament.[1] They received an at-large bid to the National Invitation Tournament as a No. 2 seed and lost in the first round to Akron.[2]

Offseason

Departures

NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownReason for departure
Danrad Knowles0F6'10"200RS SeniorNassau, BahamasGraduated
Xavier Durpree1F6'9"210SeniorHouston, TXGraduated
Morris Dunnigan5G6'3"195JuniorJoliet, ILTransferred
Bertrand Nkali13C6'9"235RS SeniorBertoua, CameroonGraduated
Damyean Dotson21G6'5"210RS SeniorHouston, TXGraduated
Kyler Meyer33C6'10"230RS SeniorAtlanta, GAGraduated

Incoming Transfers

NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownPrevious School
Corey Davis5G6'2"175JuniorLafayette, LAJunior college transferred from San Jacinto College
Nura Zanna13F6'7"240RS SeniorKaduna, NigeriaTransferred from LIU Brooklyn. Will be eligible to play since Zanna graduated from LIU Brooklyn.
Gabe Grant20F6'6"220JuniorChicago, ILJunior college transferred from Three Rivers CC
Breaon Brady24F6'8"230JuniorAkron, OHJunior college transferred from Saddleback College

Class of 2017 signees

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Fabian White
#25 PF
Humble, TX Atascocita High School 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Sep 11, 2016 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 82
Michael Adewunmi
SG
Mansfield, TX Lake Ridge High School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Aug 1, 2016 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: NR
Cedric Alley
PF
Houston, TX Klein Forest High School 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Apr 1, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: NR
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: NR   Rivals: NR  ESPN: NR
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Houston Basketball Commitment List". Rivals.com. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  • "2017 Houston Basketball Commitment List". Scout.com. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  • "ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  • "2017 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved 2017-09-18.

    Class of 2018 signees

    Roster

    2017–18 Houston Cougars men's basketball team
    PlayersCoaches
    Pos.#NameHeightWeightYearPrevious schoolHometown
    C 1 Chris Harris Jr. 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)240 lb (109 kg) RS SoSan Jacinto High School Houston, Texas
    G 2 Mike Adewunmi 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)210 lb (95 kg) FrLake Ridge High School Mansfield, Texas
    G 3 Armoni Brooks 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)185 lb (84 kg) SoMcNeil High School Round Rock, Texas
    G 5 Corey Davis Jr. 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)190 lb (86 kg) JrSan Jacinto College Lafayette, Louisiana
    G 12 Wes VanBeck (W) 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)195 lb (88 kg) SrWestside High School Houston, Texas
    F 13 Nura Zanna 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)240 lb (109 kg) RS SrLIU Brooklyn Kaduna, Nigeria
    F 15 Devin Davis 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)225 lb (102 kg) RS SrOdessa College Indianapolis, Indiana
    F 20 Gabe Grant 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)220 lb (100 kg) JrThree Rivers Community College Chicago, Illinois
    F 23 Cedrick Alley Jr. 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)235 lb (107 kg) FrKlein Forest High School Houston, Texas
    F 24 Breaon Brady 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)250 lb (113 kg) JrSaddleback College Akron, Ohio
    G 25 Galen Robinson Jr. 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)190 lb (86 kg) JrWestbury Christian School Houston, Texas
    C 30 Caleb Broodo (W) 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)210 lb (95 kg) FrDow High School Midland, Michigan
    C 31 Valentine Sangoyomi 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)240 lb (109 kg) RS JrNorthern Oklahoma College Lagos, Nigeria
    G 32 Rob Gray 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)185 lb (84 kg) RS SrHoward College Forest City, North Carolina
    F 35 Fabian White Jr. 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)210 lb (95 kg) FrAtascocita High School Atascocita, Texas
    Head coach
    Assistant coach(es)

    Legend
    • (C) Team captain
    • (S) Suspended
    • (I) Ineligible
    • (W) Walk-on

    Roster

    Schedule and results

    Date
    time, TV
    Rank# Opponent# Result Record High points High rebounds High assists Site (attendance)
    city, state
    Exhibition
    October 21, 2017*
    12:00 pm
    at Baylor
    Hurricane Harvey Relief Exhibition
    W 81–78 
     25  Gray  6  White  11  Gray  Ferrell Center (2,551)
    Waco, TX
    November 5, 2017*
    3:00 pm
    Angelo State W 97–80 
     13  Harris/Zanna  9  White  5  C. Davis/Gray  H&PE Arena 
    Houston, TX
    Non-conference regular season
    November 10, 2017*
    7:00 pm, ESPN3
    McNeese State W 81–53  1–0
     22  Brooks  10  Brady  5  C. Davis/D. Davis/Robinson  H&PE Arena (3,241)
    Houston, TX
    November 17, 2017*
    2:30 pm, FloHoops
    vs. Drexel
    Paradise Jam quarterfinals
    L 80–84  1–1
     37  Gray  9  Zanna  5  Robinson  Vines Center (1,022)
    Lynchburg, VA
    November 18, 2017*
    11:00 am, FloHoops
    vs. Liberty
    Paradise Jam
    W 68–66  2–1
     19  Gray  11  Brady  3  Gray  Vines Center (815)
    Lynchburg, VA
    November 19, 2017*
    1:30 p.m., FloHoops
    vs. Wake Forest
    Paradise Jam
    W 78–73  3–1
     23  Gray  11  Zanna  5  Robinson  Vines Center (655)
    Lynchburg, VA
    November 25, 2017*
    7:00 pm
    Incarnate Word W 97–58  4–1
     16  Gray/VanBeck  12  White  7  C. Davis  H&PE Arena (2,724)
    Houston, TX
    November 29, 2017*
    7:00 pm
    New Orleans W 75–66  5–1
     23  Gray  6  D. Davis/White  8  Gray  H&PE Arena (2,586)
    Houston, TX
    December 2, 2017*
    6:30 pm, CBSSN
    Arkansas W 91–65  6–1
     28  D. Davis  10  D. Davis  9  Robinson  H&PE Arena (4,186)
    Houston, TX
    December 6, 2017*
    11:00 am, ESPN3
    Fairfield W 88–66  7–1
     20  Gray  9  D. Davis  4  Robinson  H&PE Arena (3,548)
    Houston, TX
    December 9, 2017*
    7:00 pm, Stadium
    at Saint Louis W 77–58  8–1
     24  Gray  6  Brady/Gray  2  VanBeck  Chaifetz Arena (6,014)
    St. Louis, MO
    December 13, 2017*
    7:00 pm, SECN
    at LSU L 77–80  8–2
     20  C. Davis/Gray  7  D. Davis  7  Gray  Maravich Center (8,449)
    Baton Rouge, LA
    December 17, 2017*
    3:00 pm
    Prairie View A&M W 92–72  9–2
     24  Brooks  7  D. Davis  6  Robinson  H&PE Arena (2,788)
    Houston, TX
    December 20, 2017*
    6:00 pm, ESPNU
    vs. Providence
    Hall of Fame Holiday Showcase
    W 70–59  10–2
     24  Gray  9  D. Davis  6  Robinson  Mohegan Sun Arena (5,518)
    Uncasville, CT
    AAC regular season
    December 28, 2017
    6:00 pm, ESPNews
    at South Florida W 79–60  11–2
    (1–0)
     15  C. Davis  8  Brady  5  Robinson  USF Sun Dome (2,273)
    Tampa, FL
    December 30, 2017
    5:00 pm, ESPNU
    Temple W 76–73  12–2
    (2–0)
     21  Brady  9  Brady  3  C. Davis/Gray/Robinson  H&PE Arena (3,370)
    Houston, TX
    January 4, 2018
    6:00 pm, ESPN
    at No. 9 Wichita State L 63–81  12–3
    (2–1)
     13  Gray  6  Sangoyomi/VanBeck  5  C. Davis  Charles Koch Arena (10,506)
    Wichita, KS
    January 11, 2018
    6:00 pm, ESPNU
    Tulsa W 104–71  13–3
    (3–1)
     34  Gray  8  D. Davis  8  Gray  H&PE Arena (2,666)
    Houston, TX
    January 14, 2018
    1:00 pm, ESPN3
    at East Carolina W 65–49  14–3
    (4–1)
     20  C. Davis  6  VanBeck/White  9  Gray  Williams Arena (3,549)
    Greenville, NC
    January 17, 2018
    7:00 pm, ESPNews
    at Tulane L 72–81  14–4
    (4–2)
     24  Gray  7  VanBeck  5  Gray  Devlin Fieldhouse (2,301)
    New Orleans, LA
    January 20, 2018
    11:00 am, ESPNU
    No. 7 Wichita State W 73–59  15–4
    (5–2)
     24  Gray  8  C. Davis  4  Gray  H&PE Arena (5,708)
    Houston, TX
    January 28, 2018
    2:00 pm, ESPN3
    South Florida W 63–40  16–4
    (6–2)
     17  C. Davis  11  White  6  Gray  H&PE Arena (3,121)
    Houston, TX
    January 31, 2018
    6:00 pm, CBSSN
    at No. 8 Cincinnati L 70–80  16–5
    (6–3)
     18  C. Davis  9  D. Davis  6  Gray  BB&T Arena (8,885)
    Highland Heights, KY
    February 3, 2018
    11:00 am, ESPNU
    at UCF W 69–65  17–5
    (7–3)
     20  Gray  9  Brady  5  Gray  CFE Arena (4,301)
    Orlando, FL
    February 8, 2018
    8:00 pm, ESPN2
    SMU W 67–58  18–5
    (8–3)
     23  Brooks  10  Brooks  7  Gray  H&PE Arena (3,547)
    Houston, TX
    February 11, 2018
    5:00 pm, ESPNU
    Tulane W 73–42  19–5
    (9–3)
     16  D. Davis  11  Brooks  5  Robinson  H&PE Arena (2,902)
    Houston, TX
    February 15, 2018
    6:00 pm, CBSSN
    No. 5 Cincinnati W 67–62  20–5
    (10–3)
     16  C. Davis/D. Davis  10  D. Davis  6  Robinson  H&PE Arena (5,363)
    Houston, TX
    February 18, 2018
    3:00 pm, CBSSN
    at Temple W 80–59  21–5
    (11–3)
     20  C. Davis  11  D. Davis  7  Robinson  Liacouras Center (7,270)
    Philadelphia, PA
    February 22, 2018
    8:00 pm, CBSSN
    No. 23 at Memphis L 85–91  21–6
    (11–4)
     30  Gray  9  Brady  7  Gray  FedEx Forum (6,536)
    Memphis, TN
    February 25, 2018
    2:00 pm, ESPN3
    No. 23 East Carolina W 109–58  22–6
    (12–4)
     21  Brooks  9  White  11  Gray  H&PE Arena (3,602)
    Houston, TX
    February 28, 2018
    8:00 pm, ESPN2
    No. 25 at SMU W 69–56  23–6
    (13–4)
     19  Gray  7  Brooks  9  Gray  Moody Coliseum (6,782)
    Dallas, TX
    March 4, 2018
    3:00 pm, CBSSN
    No. 25 UConn W 81–71  24–6
    (14–4)
     30  Gray  8  D. Davis  4  Robinson  H&PE Arena (5,237)
    Houston, TX
    AAC Tournament
    March 9, 2018
    8:00 pm, ESPNU
    (3) No. 21 vs. (6) UCF
    Quarterfinals
    W 84–56  25–6
     18  Robinson  7  D. Davis/White  6  Gray  Amway Center (8,680)
    Orlando, FL
    March 10, 2018
    2:30 pm, CBS
    (3) No. 21 vs. (2) No. 11 Wichita State
    Semifinals
    W 77–74  26–6
     33  Gray  9  Zanna  6  Robinson  Amway Center (8,644)
    Orlando, FL
    March 11, 2018
    2:30 pm, CBS
    (3) No. 21 vs. (1) No. 8 Cincinnati
    Championship Game
    L 55–56  26–7
     17  Gray  6  Zanna  5  Robinson  Amway Center (8,670)
    Orlando, FL
    NCAA Tournament
    March 15, 2018*
    6:40 pm, TBS
    (6 W) No. 21 vs. (11 W) San Diego State
    First Round
    W 67–65  27–7
     39  Gray  9  D. Davis  2  C. Davis/Robinson  Intrust Bank Arena (14,019)
    Wichita, KS
    March 17, 2018*
    9:02 pm, TBS
    (6 W) No. 21 vs. (3 W) No. 7 Michigan
    Second Round
    L 63–64  27–8
     23  Gray  10  Gray  3  Gray/Robinson  Intrust Bank Arena (14,385)
    Wichita, KS
    *Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses. W=West.
    All times are in Central Time.

    Rankings

    Ranking movements
    Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
    NR = Not ranked. RV = Received votes. т = Tied with team above or below. ( ) = First place votes.
    Week
    Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Final 
    AP NR NR NR NR RV NR NR NR NR NR NR RV RV RV RV 23 25 21 21 Not released 
    Coaches NR NR^ NR NR NR RV NR NR NR NR NR NR RV RV RV 23 RV 21 19 22

    ^Coaches Poll did not release a Week 2 poll at the same time AP did.
    *AP does not release post-NCAA tournament rankings.

    References

    1. AMORE, DOM. "Jalen Adams Helps UConn Stun Houston In AAC Quarterfinals". courant.com. Retrieved 2017-07-24.
    2. "NIT 2017: Akron Zips hold off Houston, 78–75". cleveland.com. Retrieved 2017-07-24.
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