Friday, March 08, 2002
Houston surprise success story
Cougars have won 6 of past 8
By Michael Perry, mperry@enquirer.com
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Conference USA's Coach of the Year voting came down to Marquette's Tom Crean and UC's Bob Huggins. But the guy who has perhaps pulled off the biggest surprise this season is Ray McCallum of Houston.
The Cougars advanced to the semifinals of the league tournament with an 80-74 upset victory over Memphis on Thursday at Firstar Center.
“These guys were truly warriors today,” McCallum said. “It was a game of great effort, great execution and tremendous desire.”
Houston (18-13), which has won six of its last eight games, will face Marquette at 5p.m. today.
The Cougars finished second in the C-USA National Division at 9-7. Last season, they went 9-22, 2-14.
“They have a confidence level that they didn't have a year ago,” Memphis coach John Calipari said. “They have five or six guys, in my opinion, that could start on anyone's team in our league.”
Houston won Thursday without George Williams (10.7 ppg, 7.4 rpg), who suffered a high ankle sprain two minutes into the game. He is questionable for tonight.
Dominic Smith, who has taken over at point guard for Kevin Gaines, who was suspended for the season after being arrested Feb.23 in Greenville, N.C., has totaled 15 assists and zero turnovers in two C-USA tourney games.
Marcus Oliver scored a career-high 25 against Memphis.
Smith, Oliver and Louis Truscott were suspended for the team's Feb.26 game at South Florida for a violation of team rules.
“It was a week that I hope no coach has to go through in terms of a major distraction,” McCallum said. “The kids did rededicate themselves. I think we've grown a lot as people and as a program.”
McCallum believes his team's nonconference schedule helped it get ready for C-USA play. The Cougars faced UCLA and Kansas in the Maui Invitational to open the season, played at LSU, met Texas Tech at a neutral site and played at home against North Carolina State.
“We didn't win any of those contests, but we learned a great deal about why we didn't,” McCallum said. “Our confidence level grew in those situations and stayed with us all year.”
Bearcats Stories
Xavier survives UMass in OT
Xavier notebook
A-10: Dayton 81, Saint Joseph's 74
A-10: La Salle 72, Temple 66
A-10: Richmond 78, St. Bonaventure 69
Foundation strengthens Dillon's roots in city
Bengals notebook
Miami working toward Williams
Could Rijo make Reds rotation?
Reds notebook
Galarraga signs with Expos
Preps swimming awards
Brady leads Reading to best mark since '78
Defending champs stop Seven Hills
Miami East ends Madeira's season
Girls basketball notebook
Woodward has battled back to winning ways
Ohio boys basketball scores
Ohio girls basketball results
Ohio girls regional pairings
Preps Schedule
BSU ends Miami's season
Kentucky counts on defense in SEC tourney
SEC Tournament
Big Ten Tournament
Coming up this week
Houston surprise success story
