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by: Kris Gardner, United States Basketball Writers Association member. Credentialed media member since 1997. USBWA approved online journalist. Voter of Katrina McClain, Naismith, USBWA, and Wooden awards.

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Galen Robinson Jr: "Monumental growth. It's not even the same program."

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October 3, 2018

Galen Robinson Jr. enters his fourth season at the University of Houston. As a senior point guard, he's one of the leaders of the men's basketball program. Galen has seen the strides UH basketball has made in a short amount of time since his freshman season. This season, UH basketball will play basketball games in the $60 million Fertitta Center.

Robinson Jr describes the growth in the program has monumental.

When asked how far the program has come since his freshman season, he answered, "How far it's come? To say, that it's made great strides is like an understatement. It's almost been like monumental growth.

Galen continued, "It's not even the same program. We're Jordan (Jordan Brand) now. That speaks volumes."

His expectations are straightforward.

"Personally, keep guys in line. Just be the leader that we need."

Robinson's goals for the team are to surpass last season's success which saw the Coogs finish with a 27-8 record. Houston's season ended in a 64-63 loss to the Michigan Wolverines on a three-point buzzer beater which would have sent Houston to the Sweet 16.

"Last year, we had a great year; and, I want to try to top that," Robinson said. "I know what it takes to get to the (NCAA) Tournament; so, I just got to get us on the same page. Get us all fighting for the same goal."

"I feel like we're a much bigger team this year. I feel like our ceiling is much higher because we have more bigger guys.

"I don't want to jinx us; but, I feel like we can do a lot more than we did last year. I know we can."

The 2018-'19 Houston squad features talented newcomers who will be asked to help fill the void left by last year's seniors: Rob Gray, Devin Davis, Wes VanBeck and Nura Zanna.

"The newcomers are very promising. Of course, they're good players. They're very talented. (6'5" redshirt sophomore guard) DeJon (Jarreau) is a good player; (6'8" redshirt sophomore forward / center) Brison (Gresham) is good; (6'5" freshman guard) Nate (Hinton) reminds me of myself as a freshman. He's just hungry. (6'2" grad transfer guard) Landon (Goesling) is a sharpshooter. We've got good players. Hopefully, they can add to what we already have."

The Coogs' first game in the Fertitta Center will be Saturday, December 1, against the Oregon Ducks. Robinson is looking forward to hooping in the Fertitta Center; however, he says there's one problem.

"Man, I remember when we toured it; and, just remembering playing at Hofheinz, the Fertitta Center wasn't even close to being done. But, I could just see the vision. I almost teared up. I'm not even going to lie. I can't even wait to play in it. The only bad part about it is I only get one year."

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