Cougars’ big men X-factors
Gorham, now-healthy White lead unit that could be key to deep NCAA Tournament run
Several hours before a recent game, University of Houston coach Kelvin Sampson walked toward the tunnel leading to the basketball court at Fertitta Center.
From a distance, Sampson could hear his son, Kellen Sampson, an assistant coach and head-coach-inwaiting, yelling instructions to the Cougars’ big men as he went over the “Monster Defense,” part of the game plan to counter Western Kentucky 6-foot-11 center Charles Bassey.
By the end of the day, the Cougars had beaten Western Kentucky 81-57 and harassed Bassey with defensive pressure from every angle, holding the projected first-round NBA draft pick to a pedestrian nine points and seven rebounds on 3of-7 shooting.
“When we play teams that are dependent on an inside presence, we’ll go after them,” Sampson said, adding “our guys don’t back down from anyone.”
While the Cougars’ backcourt gets most of the attention, rightfully so, it’s the strength of the frontcourt that could be a deciding factor down the stretch.
Perhaps better than at any time during Sampson’s successful seven-year run, UH has the type of frontcourt rotation — built on relentless rebounding and generally making life miserable defensively — that can match up and even give opposing teams fits come NCAA Tournament time.
Justin Gorham is one of the best rebounders in the nation, averaging 9.5 per game. Two years ago, Brison Gresham was the
team’s best post player during a Sweet 16 run and now is the veteran of the group. Reggie Chaney, a transfer from Arkansas, moved into the starting lineup two games ago to provide some early energy.
On Feb. 18, the Cougars added what Sampson compared to NBA trade at the All-Star break with the return of Fabian White Jr., who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the offseason.
“Getting Fabian back has kind of reminded me of that,” Sampson said. “It’s making a trade for a key guy at the All-Star break that can maybe bolster you on the run toward the playoffs.”
Entering Sunday’s game against South Florida at Fertitta Center, the Cougars are 12-3 in the American Athletic Conference — just percentage points behind firstplace Wichita State — with
two league games left in the regular season.
As the Cougars gear up for the postseason, Sampson admitted his curiosity how a Gorham-White combo would look on the court at the same time. White has averaged 13 minutes in three games, his best outing nine points and 10 rebounds in a 38-point blowout of Cincinnati.
“I still think the strength of our team, especially with Tramon (Mark) coming
along … people will tend to look at our backcourt as our strength because they score the most points,” Sampson said. “But I think our identity from our team comes from our frontcourt.”
The return of White will take some of the pressure off Gorham, who does not have to play 32-33 minutes per game, Sampson said. By inserting Chaney into the starting lineup, Sampson said the Cougars have a better chance to begin the
game and second half with more energy that had been lacking from an “up and down” season from Gresham.
Exhibit 1: The Cougars went at Bassey from the start, with Chaney drawing a foul 10 seconds into the game. On the next play, Chaney scored another bucket as Bassey hesitated, careful not to make contact for another foul.
“Energy dictates a lot of the start,” Sampson said. “You’re not going to start the game making 10 shots in a row, but you want to start with energy at all five spots, especially in the second half. Reggie is a guy that I can depend on to do that.
“We know how capable (Brison) is. But he’s been up-and-down with his effort this year. Sometimes to get their attention, you need to snatch them out of the lineup and give them a reminder. Reggie has come in and really stabilized us to start the game.”
Late in Thursday’s win, Gorham said Bassey expressed frustration with how the Cougars defended him. UH hopes to receive similar reviews as it enters March.
“Be a nightmare with how physical we are,” Gorham said of the frontcourt’s approach. “Really just bring the toughness.”