2022–23 Houston Cougars men's basketball team

The 2022–23 Houston Cougars men's basketball team represented the University of Houston in the 2022–23 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Cougars were led by ninth-year head coach Kelvin Sampson. The team played their home games at the Fertitta Center as members of the American Athletic Conference. In September 2021, Houston and fellow conference members Cincinnati and UCF accepted bids to join the Big 12 Conference.[1] They finished the season 33–4, 17–1 in AAC play to win the AAC regular season championship. They defeated East Carolina and Cincinnati to advance to the AAC tournament championship game where they lost to Memphis. They received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament as the #1 seed in the Midwest Regional. They defeated Northern Kentucky and Auburn to advance to the Sweet Sixteen for the fourth consecutive year. There they lost to Miami (FL).

2022–23 Houston Cougars men's basketball
AAC regular season champions
NCAA tournament, Sweet Sixteen
ConferenceAmerican Athletic Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 6
APNo. 2
Record33–4 (17–1 AAC)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
Home arenaFertitta Center
2022–23 American Athletic Conference men's basketball standings
ConfOverall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
No. 2 Houston171 .944334  .892
No. 24 Memphis135 .722269  .743
Tulane126 .6672011  .645
Cincinnati117 .6112313  .639
Temple108 .5561616  .500
Wichita State99 .5001715  .531
UCF810 .4441915  .559
South Florida711 .3891418  .438
East Carolina612 .3331617  .485
SMU513 .2781022  .313
Tulsa117 .056525  .167
2023 AAC tournament winner
Rankings from AP poll

On November 28, 2022, the team reached the number one ranking in the AP Poll, marking the first time they had held the top spot since 1983. The season marked Houston's last as a member of the AAC. They became a member of the Big 12 Conference on July 1, 2023.[2][3]

Previous season

The Cougars finished the 2021–22 season 26–5, 15–3 in AAC play to win the AAC regular season championship. They defeated Cincinnati, Tulane and Memphis to win the AAC tournament championship. As a result, they received the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament as the No. 5 seed in the South region. They defeated UAB and Illinois to advance to the Sweet Sixteen for the third consecutive season. There they defeated Arizona before losing to Villanova in the Elite Eight.

Offseason

Departing players

Houston Departing Players
Name Number Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown Reason for departure
Robbie Armbrester2G6'4"220FreshmanAtlanta, GATransferred to Stephen F. Austin[4]
Taze Moore4G6'5"195Graduate StudentSouthaven, MSExhausted eligibility
Kyler Edwards11G6'4"205SeniorArlington, TXGraduated; declared for the 2022 NBA draft[5]
Josh Carlton25F/C6'10"245Graduate StudentWinterville, NCExhausted eligibility
Fabian White Jr.35F6'8"230Graduate StudentAtascocita, TXExhausted eligibility
Kiyron Powell52C6'8"210SophomoreEvansville, INTransferred to Southern Indiana[6]

    Incoming Transfers

    Houston Incoming Transfers
    Name Number Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown Previous school
    Mylik Wilson[7]13G6'3"175SeniorRayville, LATexas Tech
    Sadarius Bowser[8]22C6'9"230Graduate StudentGaffney, SCCharleston Southern

    2022 Recruiting class

    US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
    Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
    Emanuel Sharp
    SG
    Tampa, FL Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) May 13, 2021 
    Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN grade: 82
    Terrance Arceneaux
    SF
    Beaumont, TX Beaumont United High School 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Sep 17, 2021 
    Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:5/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN grade: 83
    Jarace Walker
    PF / SF
    New Freedom, PA IMG Academy 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Nov 4, 2021 
    Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:5/5 stars   247Sports:5/5 stars    ESPN grade: 92
    Overall recruiting rankings:   247Sports: 12
    • 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:

    • "2022 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved September 17, 2021.

    2023 Recruiting class

    US college sports recruiting information for 2023 recruits
    Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
    Kordelius Jefferson
    CG
    Arlington, TX Martin High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 180 lb (82 kg) May 16, 2022 
    Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN grade: 79
    Joseph Tugler
    PF / C
    Houston, TX Cypress Falls High School 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) May 25, 2022 
    Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN grade: 83
    Jacob McFarland
    C
    Moreno Valley, CA Rancho Verde High School 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Sep 23, 2022 
    Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN grade: 82
    Cedric Lath
    C
    Abidjan, Ivory Coast Balboa School (CA) 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 235 lb (107 kg) Nov 16, 2022 
    Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports:3/5 stars
    Overall recruiting rankings:   247Sports: 23
    • 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:

    Preseason

    AAC preseason media poll

    On October 12, The American released the preseason Poll and other preseason awards[9]

    Coaches Poll
    Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
    1Houston100 (10)
    2Memphis87 (1)
    3Cincinnati82
    4Tulane74
    5Temple66
    6UCF51
    7SMU43
    8Wichita State35
    9South Florida33
    10Tulsa21
    11East Carolina13

    Preseason Awards

    • Player of the Year - Marcus Sasser
    • Rookie of the Year - Jarace Walker
    • All-AAC First Team - Marcus Sasser
    • All-AAC Second Team - Jamal Shead

    Roster

    2022–23 Houston Cougars men's basketball team
    PlayersCoaches
    Pos.#NameHeightWeightYearPrevious schoolHometown
    G 0 Marcus Sasser 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)195 lb (88 kg) SrRed Oak Dallas, TX
    G 1 Jamal Shead 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)195 lb (88 kg) JrManor Manor, TX
    G 3 Ramon Walker Jr. 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)210 lb (95 kg) SoShadow Creek Pearland, TX
    C 4 Darius Bowser 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)250 lb (113 kg) GSCharleston Southern Gaffney, SC
    F 5 Ja'Vier Francis 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)235 lb (107 kg) SoMontverde Academy New Orleans, LA
    G 12 Tramon Mark 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)195 lb (88 kg) RS SoDickinson Dickinson, TX
    F 13 J'Wan Roberts 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)230 lb (104 kg) RS JrShoemaker Saint Thomas, VI
    G 20 Ryan Elvin (W) 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)170 lb (77 kg) JrCedar Ridge Round Rock, TX
    G 21 Emanuel Sharp 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)205 lb (93 kg) RS FrBishop McLaughlin Tampa, FL
    G 23 Terrance Arceneaux 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)195 lb (88 kg) FrBeaumont United Beaumont, TX
    G 24 Mylik Wilson Current redshirt 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)175 lb (79 kg) SrTexas Tech Rayville, LA
    F 25 Jarace Walker 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)240 lb (109 kg) FrIMG Academy New Freedom, PA
    F 32 Reggie Chaney 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)230 lb (104 kg) GSArkansas Tulsa, OK
    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
    Non-conference regular season
    November 7, 2022*
    7:00 p.m., ESPN+
    No. 3 Northern Colorado W 83–36  1–0
     21  Sasser  12  J. Walker  9  Shead  Fertitta Center (7,042)
    Houston, TX
    November 11, 2022*
    5:00 p.m., CBSSN
    No. 3 vs. Saint Joseph's
    Veterans Classic
    W 81–55  2–0
     23  J. Walker  12  Roberts  8  Shead  Alumni Hall (2,889)
    Annapolis, MD
    November 14, 2022*
    7:00 p.m., ESPN+
    No. 3 Oral Roberts
    Cougar Classic
    W 83–45  3–0
     23  Mark  11  Francis  3  Shead  Fertitta Center (7,246)
    Houston, TX
    November 16, 2022*
    7:00 p.m., ESPN+
    No. 3 Texas Southern
    Cougar Classic
    W 83–48  4–0
     20  Sasser  6  J. Walker  6  Tied  Fertitta Center (7,322)
    Houston, TX
    November 20, 2022*
    8:30 p.m., ESPN
    No. 3 at Oregon W 66–56  5–0
     16  Sasser  6  J. Walker  4  Shead  Matthew Knight Arena (7,002)
    Eugene, OR
    November 26, 2022*
    1:30 p.m., ESPN+
    No. 2 Kent State W 49–44  6–0
     19  Sasser  14  Roberts  3  Mark  Fertitta Center (7,378)
    Houston, TX
    November 29, 2022*
    7:00 p.m., ESPN+
    No. 1 Norfolk State W 100–52  7–0
     25  Sasser  8  Tied  11  Shead  Fertitta Center (7,308)
    Houston, TX
    December 3, 2022*
    8:30 p.m., ESPN2
    No. 1 vs. Saint Mary's
    The Battleground 2k22
    W 53–48  8–0
     15  Roberts  8  Roberts  4  Sasser  Dickies Arena (2,812)
    Fort Worth, TX
    December 6, 2022*
    7:00 p.m., ESPN+
    No. 1 North Florida W 76–42  9–0
     14  Francis  10  J. Walker  10  Shead  Fertitta Center (7,283)
    Houston, TX
    December 10, 2022*
    2:00 p.m., ABC
    No. 1 No. 8 Alabama L 65–71  9–1
     19  Shead  9  Roberts  3  Shead  Fertitta Center (7,718)
    Houston, TX
    December 13, 2022*
    7:00 p.m., ESPN+
    No. 5 North Carolina A&T W 74–46  10–1
     17  Tied  15  Francis  4  Shead  Fertitta Center (7,268)
    Houston, TX
    December 17, 2022*
    1:00 p.m., ESPN2
    No. 5 at No. 2 Virginia W 69–61  11–1
     17  J. Walker  7  J. Walker  4  Tied  John Paul Jones Arena (14,629)
    Charlottesville, VA
    December 21, 2022*
    7:00 p.m., ESPN+
    No. 3 McNeese State W 83–44  12–1
     23  Francis  13  Francis  9  Shead  Fertitta Center (7,418)
    Houston, TX
    AAC Regular Season
    December 28, 2022
    8:00 p.m., ESPNU
    No. 3 at Tulsa W 89–50  13–1
    (1–0)
     15  Roberts  9  Roberts  5  Sasser  Reynolds Center (4,807)
    Tulsa, OK
    December 31, 2022
    1:00 p.m., ESPN+
    No. 3 UCF W 71–65  14–1
    (2–0)
     19  Mark  7  Francis  4  Shead  Fertitta Center (7,457)
    Houston, TX
    January 5, 2023
    6:00 p.m., ESPN2
    No. 2 SMU
    Rivalry
    W 87–53  15–1
    (3–0)
     23  J. Walker  10  J. Walker  7  Sasser  Fertitta Center (7,478)
    Houston, TX
    January 8, 2023
    2:00 p.m., ESPN
    No. 2 at Cincinnati W 72–59  16–1
    (4–0)
     21  J. Walker  11  Roberts  5  Mark  Fifth Third Arena (10,264)
    Cincinnati, OH
    January 11, 2023
    7:00 p.m., ESPN+
    No. 1 South Florida W 83–77  17–1
    (5–0)
     31  Sasser  6  Tied  4  Sasser  Fertitta Center (7,473)
    Houston, TX
    January 17, 2023
    6:00 p.m., ESPN+
    No. 1 at Tulane W 80–60  18–1
    (6–0)
     23  Sasser  9  J. Walker  7  Shead  Devlin Fieldhouse (3,621)
    New Orleans, LA
    January 22, 2023
    2:00 p.m., ESPN
    No. 1 Temple L 55–56  18–2
    (6–1)
     13  Shead  12  J. Walker  5  Sasser  Fertitta Center (7,484)
    Houston, TX
    January 25, 2023
    6:00 p.m., ESPN+
    No. 3 at UCF W 82–71  19–2
    (7–1)
     18  Sharp  9  Roberts  10  Shead  Addition Financial Arena (9,383)
    Orlando, FL
    January 28, 2023
    1:15 p.m., CBS
    No. 3 Cincinnati W 75–69  20–2
    (8–1)
     25  J. Walker  7  J. Walker  5  Shead  Fertitta Center (7,477)
    Houston, TX
    February 2, 2023
    8:00 p.m., ESPN2
    No. 3 at Wichita State W 70–61  21–2
    (9–1)
     15  Tied  6  Tied  7  Shead  Charles Koch Arena (7,274)
    Wichita, KS
    February 5, 2023
    5:00 p.m., ESPN2
    No. 3 at Temple W 81–65  22–2
    (10–1)
     23  J. Walker  6  J. Walker  7  Shead  Liacouras Center (10,206)
    Philadelphia, PA
    February 8, 2023
    7:00 p.m., ESPN+
    No. 2 Tulsa W 80–42  23–2
    (11–1)
     25  Sasser  10  Roberts  12  Shead  Fertitta Center (7,369)
    Houston, TX
    February 16, 2023
    6:00 p.m., ESPN2
    No. 2 at SMU
    Rivalry
    W 80–65  24–2
    (12–1)
     20  Sasser  10  Roberts  8  Shead  Moody Coliseum (6,278)
    University Park, TX
    February 19, 2023
    2:00 p.m., ESPN
    No. 2 Memphis W 72–64  25–2
    (13–1)
     20  Tied  12  Roberts  3  J. Walker  Fertitta Center (7,730)
    Houston, TX
    February 22, 2023
    8:00 p.m., ESPNU
    No. 1 Tulane W 89–59  26–2
    (14–1)
     26  Roberts  13  J. Walker  6  Tied  Fertitta Center (7,763)
    Houston, TX
    February 25, 2023
    7:00 p.m., ESPN2
    No. 1 at East Carolina W 76–57  27–2
    (15–1)
     22  Sasser  12  Roberts  3  Tied  Williams Arena (7,589)
    Greenville, NC
    March 2, 2023
    6:00 p.m., ESPN2
    No. 1 Wichita State W 83–66  28–2
    (16–1)
     25  Shead  9  J. Walker  4  Tied  Fertitta Center (7,879)
    Houston, TX
    March 5, 2023
    11:00 a.m., CBS
    No. 1 at Memphis W 67–65  29–2
    (17–1)
     16  Tied  8  Mark  7  Shead  FedExForum (18,437)
    Memphis, TN
    AAC tournament
    March 10, 2023
    12:00 p.m., ESPN2
    (1) No. 1 vs. (9) East Carolina
    Quarterfinals
    W 60–46  30–2
     30  Sasser  12  Roberts  4  Tied  Dickies Arena 
    Fort Worth, TX
    March 11, 2023
    2:00 p.m., ESPN2
    (1) No. 1 vs. (4) Cincinnati
    Semifinals
    W 69–48  31–2
     16  Tied  8  Tied  9  Shead  Dickies Arena 
    Fort Worth, TX
    March 12, 2023
    2:15 p.m., ESPN
    (1) No. 1 vs. (2) Memphis
    Championship
    L 65–75  31–3
     16  Shead  20  Roberts  4  Shead  Dickies Arena 
    Fort Worth, TX
    NCAA tournament
    March 16, 2023*
    8:20 p.m., TNT
    (1 MW) No. 2 vs. (16 MW) Northern Kentucky
    First Round
    W 63–52  32–3
     16  J. Walker  12  Roberts  6  Shead  Legacy Arena (15,154)
    Birmingham, AL
    March 18, 2023*
    6:10 p.m., TBS
    (1 MW) No. 2 vs. (9 MW) Auburn
    Second Round
    W 81–64  33–3
     26  Mark  10  J. Walker  5  Shead  Legacy Arena (15,198)
    Birmingham, AL
    March 24, 2023*
    6:15 p.m., CBS
    (1 MW) No. 2 vs. (5 MW) No. 16 Miami (FL)
    Sweet Sixteen
    L 75–89  33–4
     16  J. Walker  11  J. Walker  5  Tied  T-Mobile Center (17,429)
    Kansas City, MO
    *Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
    All times are in Central Time.

    Source[10]

    Rankings

    Ranking movements
    Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
    ( ) = First place votes.
    Week
    PollPre123456789101112131415161718Final
    AP3 (1)3 (2)2 (9)1 (45)1 (37)53321 (34)1 (34)332 (22)2 (22)1 (48)1 (49)1 (58)2 (9)Not released
    Coaches3 (1)3 (2)2 (7)1 (23)1 (21)4332 (2)1 (14)1 (17)332 (13)2 (15)1 (24)1 (27)1 (29)1 (21)6

    *AP does not release post-NCAA Tournament rankings

    Awards and honors

    All-American

    • Marcus Sasser – AP (1st), USBWA (1st), NABC (1st), SN (2nd)

    Jerry West Award

    • Marcus Sasser

    All-AAC Awards

    All-AAC First Team

    • Marcus Sasser

    All-AAC Second Team

    • Jamal Shead
    • J'Wan Roberts
    • Jarace Walker

    All-Freshman Team

    • Jarace Walker
    • Terrance Arceneaux
    • Emanuel Sharp

    Source[11]

    References

    1. "Big 12 Conference Adds Four New Members". Big12Sports.com. Big 12 Conference. September 10, 2021.
    2. "American Announces Agreements With UCF, Cincinnati and Houston on Departure" (Press release). American Athletic Conference. June 10, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
    3. "Deal lets Cincy, Houston, UCF join Big 12 in 2023". ESPN.com. June 10, 2022. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
    4. Beames, Caleb (April 20, 2022). "SFA men's basketball sees roster changes after first WAC season". KLTV. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
    5. "NBA Announces Early Entry Candidates for NBA Draft 2022". National Basketball Association. April 26, 2022. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
    6. Sokeland, Kyle; Magley, Hendrix (August 26, 2022). "Former Bosse standout Kiyron Powell is coming home to play for USI basketball". Evansville Courier & Press. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
    7. Jeff Conrad (June 3, 2022). "Mylik Wilson Signs with Men's Basketball". uhcougars.com. University of Houston Athletics. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
    8. "Darius Bowser Joins Men's Basketball Program". uhcougars.com. University of Houston Athletics. August 4, 2022. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
    9. "Houston Picked as 2022-23 American Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Favorite". theAmerican.org. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
    10. "2022–23 Men's Basketball Schedule". uhcougars.com. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
    11. "The American Announces Men's Basketball Honors". theamerican.org. March 8, 2023. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
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