(SportsRadio 610) - The Houston Cougars men’s basketball team remains the third-ranked team in the country according to the Associated Press and USA Today coaches polls.
Coming off a disappointing 56-55 home loss to the Temple Owls last Sunday, the Cougars (20-2/8-1 AAC) went 2-0 the rest of the week, topping Cincinnati (14-8/5-4 AAC) 75-69 in dramatic fashion Saturday at Fertitta Center.
The Cougars trailed by as much as 13 points in the first half and 11 points in the second half, outscored the Bearcats 26-9 in the games final 11:28 to secure their eighth consecutive 20-plus win season under head coach Kelvin Sampson.
Three of the nations top-ten teams stood pat in the latest polls, with top-ranked Purdue (21-1/10-1 BIG 10) becoming the first unanimous No. 1 all season.
The Boilermakers went 2-0 during the week, defeating Michigan and Michigan State and have now gone 8-0 since losing to unranked Rutgers earlier this month.
The tenth-ranked Texas Longhorns (17-4/6-2 BIG 12) stayed put in the latest AP Top 25 poll as well despite falling to No. 4 Tennessee 82-71 over the weekend.
Sampson and the Cougars will have plenty of time to practice this week before heading back out on the road Thursday to take on Wichita (13-8/4-5 AAC). That game is scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN 2 and will tip-off at 8pm CT.
News and Notes:
Cougars freshman forward Jarace Walker and junior point guard Jamal Shead earned awards from the American Athletic Conference Monday for their performances last week.
For the second straight week and fifth time of the season, Walker was named the AAC Freshman of the Week, while Shead, earned recognition for the leagues Honor Roll for the first time this season.
Walker scored a career high 25 points in the Cougars 75-69 victory over the Bearcats this past Saturday. For the week, Walker averaged a team-best 21.5 points and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 67% from the field.
In the teams two wins this past week, Shead averaged 13.5 points, 4 rebounds and led the team with 7.5 assists per game.
The Cougars will get a rematch with Temple Sunday, February 4th in Philadelphia. That game is scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN for a 5pm CT tip-off.