Young UH Preps for 08-09
HOUSTON, TX -- Take a look at the University of Houston's roster for the 2008 - 2009 season. Twelve players are listed (11 are eligilble to play this season -- forward Lesslee Mason will sit out this season due to NCAA transfer rules); but, only one of the 11 players, Zane Jakobsone, is a senior. Two other players are juniors which means the majority of this season's squad consists of sophomores and freshmen.
As if the team's relative youth wasn't cause for concern, combine the youth with the return of head coach Joe Curl to the group. Coach Curl missed the entire 2007 - 2008 season after he suffered a heart attack; had double bypass surgery performed on him; and rested and rehabilitated most of the calendar year.
Consequently, this season is not filled with high expectations from nearly anyone except Coach Curl; his coaching staff; and the team.
Houston was predicted to finish ninth (tied with crosstown rival Rice) in the 2008 - 2009 Conference USA Coaches' Poll.
Coach Curl simply sees everything as challenges which need to be overcome.
"I think it's a motivating factor for us to be in the ninth spot tied with Rice," said Coach Curl. "That's okay. It's a motivating factor. There's no question. I'm excited about our Conference. I think everybody -- from top to bottom -- is better; and, we're going to have to play well to compete in the league this season."
"Southern Miss is picked to win it (the C-USA race) this year; and, there are five or six teams, including us, that I would consider an option to win it."
Coach Curl plans to utilize a nine-player rotation this season and play more pressure defense as well.
"I think we have nine players that we can rotate. With our personnel, the kind of defense we want to play, is more full-court, trapping-type stuff," Curl stated. "We can be good at that if we execute."
Houston begins the 2008 - 2009 season, November 10, with an exhibition game versus the Houston Jaguars. Tip is set for 7p.m.
As if the team's relative youth wasn't cause for concern, combine the youth with the return of head coach Joe Curl to the group. Coach Curl missed the entire 2007 - 2008 season after he suffered a heart attack; had double bypass surgery performed on him; and rested and rehabilitated most of the calendar year.
Consequently, this season is not filled with high expectations from nearly anyone except Coach Curl; his coaching staff; and the team.
Houston was predicted to finish ninth (tied with crosstown rival Rice) in the 2008 - 2009 Conference USA Coaches' Poll.
Coach Curl simply sees everything as challenges which need to be overcome.
"I think it's a motivating factor for us to be in the ninth spot tied with Rice," said Coach Curl. "That's okay. It's a motivating factor. There's no question. I'm excited about our Conference. I think everybody -- from top to bottom -- is better; and, we're going to have to play well to compete in the league this season."
"Southern Miss is picked to win it (the C-USA race) this year; and, there are five or six teams, including us, that I would consider an option to win it."
Coach Curl plans to utilize a nine-player rotation this season and play more pressure defense as well.
"I think we have nine players that we can rotate. With our personnel, the kind of defense we want to play, is more full-court, trapping-type stuff," Curl stated. "We can be good at that if we execute."
Houston begins the 2008 - 2009 season, November 10, with an exhibition game versus the Houston Jaguars. Tip is set for 7p.m.
posted by Kris G @ 4:13 PM
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