ARCHIVE: The Houston Roundball Review's Old Blog -- December 2005

UH lunch | Opposite | Eye Update | Tom and O @ Luncheon | Comets | JVG's List

Barnes | O named top player | Coogs top 'zona | Lady Owls | Eboni Mangum | Tix still available | Should Lanny play?

Lady Coogs lose at home to Dartmouth, 76-69

posted December 20, 11:18 a.m. CST

My plan is to write an article about Monday night's loss to Dartmouth; but, for now, here are some mp3s from UH Coach head coach Joe Curl and sophomore guard / forward Tye Jackson. Also, listen to mp3s from Dartmouth's Sydney Scott. She graduated from Houston's Westside HS. Sydney scored 17 points to help Dartmouth improve its record to 5 and 1 with the win over UH. Houston's record falls to 2 and 7 with the loss.   

Curl: "...playing with seven..." | Tye: "...caught a cramp..." | Sydney: "...family..." | "...wonderful program..."

posted December 13, 9:10 p.m. CST

The University of Houston held their second basketball media luncheon this afternoon. Representatives from the men's and women's teams were present.  Coach Tom Penders, Lanny Smith, and Jahmar Thorpe discussed being ranked in the top 25; staying ranked; playing South Alabama; winning on the road; the sudden turnaround in the program; etc. while Lady Cougars' head coach Joe Curl talked about his team improving with the addition of Purdue transfer Tyeisha Jackson.  Tye will play her first game as a Lady Cougar this Saturday in Lansing, Michigan, versus Michigan State. Tye discussed with me the leadership she'll provide the team.

Penders: "...defense is the key." | Lanny: "...exciting for me..." | Jahmar: "...top 10 team..."

Curl: "...we need depth..." | Tye: "...leadership..."  

Cougars, Lady Cougars Going in Opposite Directions

updated December 11, 9:05 a.m. CST. Originally posted December 10, 11:58 p.m. CST

I saw the good and the bad of the University of Houston basketball program Saturday night at Hofheinz Pavilion.  First, the bad. The Lady Cougars were dominated by West Virginia 79 to 54.  Simply put, the Lady Cougars don't have enough talent. However, to his credit, Lady Cougars head coach said as much. He told the media the lack of talent falls in his lap. Recruiting slacked off in recent years.  UH head coach Joe Curl emphasized his point when he said this year's coaching staff has already used 50 of the allotted 80 recruiting days compared to only 40 or so days the staff used last season.  

Next, the good.  The men's team improved its record to 4 and 1 with a solid and methodical 68 to 46 win over Sam Houston State (6-2).  Despite playing without their floor leader, Lanny Smith, Houston's defense gave the Bearkats problems throughout the ball game.  The Kats were without their top floor leader, Chris Jordan, too; but, they were unable to overcome his absence. The Coogs had four players score double figures led by junior forward Jahmar Thorpe's game-high 19 points and 8 rebounds.

Joe Curl: "...no one's fault but mine..."

SHSU head coach Bob Marlin: "...Latham's a winner..." | Tom Penders: "...we had guys step up..."     

L-Boogie Eye Update

posted December 9, 2:50 p.m. CST

Lanny Smith's eye injury is more serious than initially thought.  Upon examination, doctors found the retina bruised and blood in the iris. Lanny is taking medication; and, despite Lanny's desire to play Saturday night versus the Sam Houston State Bearkats (8pm @ Hofheinz Pavilion) with goggles, the doctor ruled him a no-go for Saturday's game.  It's still uncertain when Lanny will be cleared to play; but, the Coogs next game is not until next Saturday, December 17, at South Alabama.  

Tom Penders and Oliver Lafayette at Basketball Media Luncheon

posted December 8, 2:20 p.m. CST

The Houston Cougars held the first basketball media luncheon of the 2005 - 2006 season.  Due to his eye injury, Lanny Smith is "very questionable" for this Saturday's game versus Sam Houston State. SHSU is 6-1; so, UH fans should not expect a cake walk ball game at Hofheinz Pavilion Saturday night.

Since this is Finals Week at UH, the players have focused more on their classes and their tests which apparently impacted Wednesday night's practice because Coach Penders said was so ragged he left the court after one hour and asked Michael Young to put the team through conditioning drills.  

Tom Penders: "...we're lucky to have him." | Oliver Lafayette: "...we want to be ranked..."

JVG Makes a List

posted December 7, 11:56 a.m. CST

“I would like to have a guy that’s 26, 27, (maybe) 24 — a true point; a wing man; and a big. How we prioritize what we do I can’t tell you right now; but, that’s what we’d like.”  Read the entire article.

UT's Barnes gives 2-word Answer

posted December 6, 8:05 a.m. CST

After his Texas Longhorns defeated the Rice Owls Monday night, Longhorns head coach Rick Barnes was asked if he's given any thought to returning to Houston and play the University of Houston. His answer: "really haven't"

Coogs' Lafayette Named National Player of the Week | Game vs. N. Texas Moved to Denton 

posted December 5, 5:15 p.m. CST

Dave Maggard announced Houston Moves North Texas Men's Basketball Game To Denton.

Houston Cougars junior guard Oliver Lafayette was named C-USA and The Sporting News National Player of the Week today.

Houston Cougars Top Arizona 69-65

updated December 4, 10:13 a.m. CST

posted December 3, 10:31 p.m. CST

Big time win for the Cougars over Arizona!  Props to the 8,026 fans who attended the game!  Hopefully, the fans who saw "the Show" for the first time tonight will come back to Hofheinz the rest of this season!

Lanny Smith: "...I'm loving this..." | Lanny asks the media: "Where's Dickie V?" --- "...top 25 baby!"

Lamar Roberson: "...keep winning..." | Tom Penders: "...this team deserves it..." | Lute Olson: "Great crowd..."

Rice Lady Owls 63, Davidson 52

posted December 3, 11:25 a.m. CST

Lady Owls head coach Greg Williams after Friday's win: "...we're struggling to score..."

Dulles HS star Eboni Mangum Returns home as a Lady Techster

posted December 3, 11:25 a.m. CST

Eboni Mangum was a star basketball player at Dulles HS.  She's currently a freshman for the Louisiana Tech basketball team.  La. Tech is in H-town participating in the Rice Lady Owls' Gene Hackerman Invitational. La. Tech defeated UT-San Antonio Friday night 75-67. After the game, Eboni and her head coach, Chris Long, spoke to the media.

Eboni: "...family and friends..." | "...this is Louisiana Tech...". Coach Chris Long: "...she's a great player..."

Tickets Still Available for Coogs and Arizona

posted December 1, 1:20 p.m. CST

Contrary to some reports, there are still tickets for good seats available for the University of Houston men's basketball game against Arizona at 6 p.m., Saturday, at Hofheinz Pavilion.

To buy tickets, fans should call the UH Ticket Office at (713) 743-9444.

Should Coogs' Lanny Smith miss a game or two?

posted December 1, 9:05 a.m. CST

Lanny Smith is the engine to the Houston Cougars' machine; however, he is not near 100% with the high ankle sprain of his right ankle.  Lanny has aggravated the ankle the last two UH games.  He receives treatments; and, he refuses to miss games.  He has no plans to miss Saturday's tilt at Hofheinz (6 p.m.) versus Arizona; but, my question is this: How much will Lanny's ankle improve with rest?  If rest will help the ankle, then, though Cougars fans don't want to hear it -- maybe L-Boogie should miss the game versus the Wildcats.  Lanny is too good and too important to the Cougars to risk being less than 100% for most, if not all, of the season if rest for a week (or two) now would heal the injury.