Tournaments, titles expected in the new year
With 2018 upon us, University of Houston athletics turns its attention to the future.
Here are a few New Year’s resolutions the Cougars should have and key milestones that await in the new year:
Hire a new offensive coordinator
This is an important hire entering Year 2 for head coach Major Applewhite. The Cougars were inconsistent and unimaginative under former offensive coordinator Brian Johnson with a 28.2-point-pergame average that was the program’s lowest mark since 2005. A new OC will inherit junior quarterback D’Eriq King and a talented backfield but will need to address offensive line issues and a young receivers corps. Any mention of “bubble screen” should be banned from the playbook.
Heisman campaign for Ed Oliver
Playing defense and outside of a Power Five conference make it a long shot for the Cougars’ consensus All-American to win college football’s top individual award. But there’s no reason he shouldn’t be in the discussion for at least a trip to New York City as a finalist. Already a household name, Oliver was able to win the Outland Trophy as the nation’s top interior lineman after a knee injury slowed him for most of the final two months. He’s vowed to win the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the top defensive player after coming up short last season. Enjoy him while you can: Oliver will declare for the NFL draft after next season.
More than just bowling
While a fifth consecutive bowl appearance and trip to Hawaii are nice, the Cougars need a huge bounce-back season with nothing short of a trip to the American Athletic Conference championship game in what should be a wide-open West division. The AAC champion should again be in position for the Group of Five’s spot in a New Year’s Six bowl.
Book a trip to Omaha
With a bunch of upsets, the Cougars missed a good chance last season to advance to the College World Series for the first time since 1967. Coach Todd Whitting has built an annual contender, and the minimum expectation should be hosting a regional at Schroeder Park. Behind preseason pitcher of the year Trey Cumbie, the Cougars are the heavy favorite to win the AAC.
Podium finish for track and field
Just how high are the expectations for the men’s program? The outdoor season had barely concluded in June when longtime head coach Leroy Burrell proclaimed, “Next year, we go for the big trophy” after a 12th-place finish that was the program’s highest since 1989. “Wait till 2018,” assistant coach and nine-time Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis added. There’s a lot to like: the Cougars’ roster returns intact, led by the defending national champion 400-meter relay team of Cameron Burrell, Mario Burke, John Lewis III and Jacarias Martin, along with talented sprinter Eli Hall and hurdler Amere Lattin.
Postseason for women’s basketball
One of the biggest turnaround stories in 2017 looks to continue this year as the UH women’s basketball program moved to 13-3 (2-0 in AAC) with its 73-55 win over Wichita State on Tuesday, besting its win total of 12 from last season. The Cougars have won 11 of the last 12 games behind a stifling defense, a barrage of 3-pointers, a knack for second-half comebacks and an average of 18.5 points-per-game from sophomore guard Jasmyne Harris. In his fourth season, coach Ronald Hughey’s team has an RPI of 35 and is in position for its first winning season and postseason appearance since 2011.
Return to Big Dance for men’s basketball
It’s been so long — going on eight years, to be exact — that you might want to try your dancing shoes on for size, just in case. With a deep roster, the Cougars are off to a 12-2 (2-0 in AAC) start entering Thursday’s showdown at eighth-ranked Wichita State. UH is beginning to get attention, ranked No. 37 in the latest KenPom rankings, and on the precipice of cracking the NCAA Tournament bracket of ESPN’s Joe Lunardi. To get back to the Big Dance, the Cougars must continue to beat teams they should and steal one or two from the league’s top teams — Wichita State, Cincinnati and SMU.
Opening of Fertitta Center
A new era in UH’s athletic program begins in November with the opening of the $60 million Fertitta Center. The oncampus arena, located on the former site of Hofheinz Pavilion, will complement the $25 million Guy V. Lewis Development Center next door and provide a sparkling new home for the men’s and women’s basketball programs.