2020–21 Houston Cougars men's basketball team

The 2020–21 Houston Cougars men's basketball team represented the University of Houston during the 2020–21 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Cougars were led by seventh-year head coach Kelvin Sampson as members of the American Athletic Conference. It was the third season that the team played its home games at the Fertitta Center. They won their first ever AAC Tournament to clinch an auto-bid to the NCAA Tournament, where they were selected as a #2 seed in the Midwest Region. The team advanced to the Final Four for the first time since 1984. They eventually lost to Baylor in the Final Four who went on to become the national champions that season.

2020–21 Houston Cougars men's basketball
AAC Tournament champions
NCAA Tournament, Final Four
ConferenceAmerican Athletic Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 3
APNo. 6
2020–21 record28–4 (14–3 AAC)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
Home arenaFertitta Center
2020–21 American Athletic Conference men's basketball standings
ConfOverall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
Wichita State11–2 .84616–6  .727
No. 6 Houston †14–3 .82428–4  .875
Memphis11–4 .73320–8  .714
SMU7–4 .63611–6  .647
Cincinnati8–6 .57112–11  .522
UCF8–10 .44411–12  .478
Tulsa7–9 .43811–12  .478
South Florida4–10 .2869–13  .409
Temple4–10 .2865–11  .313
Tulane4–12 .25010–13  .435
East Carolina2–10 .1678–11  .421
† 2021 AAC Tournament winner
Rankings from AP Poll

Previous season

Houston finished the 2019–20 regular season 23–8, 13–5 in AAC play, finishing tied for first place and winning a share of the regular season title. They entered as the No. 2 seed in the AAC Tournament, which was ultimately cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Offseason

Departures
NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownReason for departure
Chris Harris Jr.1C6'10"255SeniorHouston, TXGraduated
Nate Hinton11G6'5"210SophomoreGastonia, NCPlay professionally[1]
Cedrick Alley Jr.23F6'6"225RS SophomoreHouston, TXTransferred to UTSA[2]

Incoming Transfers
NamePos.HeightWeightYearHometownNotes
Reggie ChaneyF6'8"225JuniorTulsa, OKTransferred from Arkansas. Chaney was granted a waiver for immediate eligibility. Initially had two years of remaining eligibility, but automatically received a third year after the NCAA ruled that the 2020–21 season would not be counted against the eligibility of any basketball player.[3][4]

2020 Recruiting class
US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Tramon Mark
PG		 Dickinson, TX Dickinson High School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Apr 17, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN grade: 83
Jamal Shead
PG		 Manor, TX Manor High School 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 175 lb (79 kg) May 27, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN grade: 80
Kiyron Powell
C		 Evansville, IN Benjamin Bosse High School 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Aug 6, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN grade: 76
Overall recruiting rankings:   247Sports: 27
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2020 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved 2020-04-09.

    Houston also added preferred walk-on Ryan Elvin, a 6'0" point guard from Cedar Ridge High School in Round Rock, Texas.[5]

    2021 Recruiting class

    Preseason

    AAC preseason media poll

    On October 28, The American released the preseason Poll and other preseason awards[6]

    Coaches Poll
    Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
    1Houston99 (2)
    2Memphis90 (2)
    3SMU80
    4Cincinnati77
    5South Florida61
    6Tulsa50
    7Wichita State44
    8UCF37
    9East Carolina34
    10Temple18
    11Tulane15

    Preseason Awards
    • AAC Preseason Player of the Year - Caleb Mills
    • All-AAC First Team - Caleb Mills

    Roster
    2020–21 Houston Cougars men's basketball team
    PlayersCoaches
    Pos.#NameHeightWeightYearPrevious schoolHometown
    G 0 Marcus Sasser 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)190 lb (86 kg) SoRed Oak Red Oak, TX
    G 1 Jamal Shead 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)190 lb (86 kg) FrManor Manor, TX
    G 2 Caleb Mills (T) 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)180 lb (82 kg) RS SoT. C. Roberson Arden, NC
    G 3 DeJon Jarreau 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)185 lb (84 kg) RS SrUMass New Orleans, LA
    F 4 Justin Gorham 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)225 lb (102 kg) RS SrTowson Baltimore, MD
    G 5 Cameron Tyson 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)190 lb (86 kg) RS SoIdaho Bothell, WA
    G 12 Tramon Mark 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)180 lb (82 kg) FrDickinson Dickinson, TX
    F 13 J'Wan Roberts 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)220 lb (100 kg) RS FrShoemaker Saint Thomas, VI
    G 20 Ryan Elvin (W) 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)155 lb (70 kg) FrCedar Ridge Round Rock, TX
    G 24 Quentin Grimes 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)205 lb (93 kg) JrKansas The Woodlands, TX
    C 30 Caleb Broodo (W) 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)240 lb (109 kg) RS JrDow Midland, MI
    F 32 Reggie Chaney 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)225 lb (102 kg) JrArkansas Tulsa, OK
    F 35 Fabian White Jr. 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)225 lb (102 kg) SrAtascocita Atascocita, TX
    C 52 Kiyron Powell 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)205 lb (93 kg) FrBenjamin Bosse Evansville, IN
    F/C 55 Brison Gresham 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)230 lb (104 kg) RS SrUMass New Orleans, LA
    Head coach
    Assistant coach(es)
    Legend
    • (C) Team captain
    • (S) Suspended
    • (I) Ineligible
    • (W) Walk-on
    • (T) Transferred
    • Injured
    • Current redshirt

    Roster
    Last update: November 10, 2020

    • May 27, 2020 – Fabian White Jr. suffered a torn ACL, leading him to sit out before returning for the February 18th game.[7]
    • January 5, 2021 – Caleb Mills entered the transfer portal.[8] Mills would eventually transfer to Florida State.[9]

    Schedule and results

    COVID-19 impact
    Main article: Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports

    Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Cougars' schedule is subject to change, including the cancellation or postponement of individual games, the cancellation of the entire season, or games played either with minimal fans or without fans in attendance and just essential personnel.

    • The Cougars began a home-and-home series with LSU and Alabama beginning in the 2020–2021.[10][11] Both were eventually postponed due to the pandemic.
    • Houston added a game vs. Our Lady of the Lake on February 6th.[12]
    • The game @ Cincinnati originally scheduled for February 21st was moved to Houston.[13]
    • Houston added a game vs. Western Kentucky on February 25th.[14]
    • The game @ Memphis originally scheduled for March 7 was moved to Houston, after COVID-related issues with Memphis forced the first scheduled matchup between the teams scheduled for February 14 to be postponed.[15]

    Schedule
    Date
    time, TV    		 Rank# Opponent# Result Record High points High rebounds High assists Site (attendance)
    city, state
    Regular season
    November 25, 2020*
    2:00 p.m., ESPN+    		 No. 17 Lamar W 89–45  1–0
    		  25 – Sasser  8 – Mark  4 – Grimes  Fertitta Center (1,859)
    Houston, TX
    November 27, 2020*
    2:00 p.m., ESPN+    		 No. 17 Boise State
    Southwest Showcase    		 W 68–58  2–0
    		  25 – Grimes  14 – Roberts  2 – Sasser  Fertitta Center (1,859)
    Houston, TX
    November 29, 2020*
    4:00 p.m., ESPN    		 No. 17 vs. No. 14 Texas Tech
    Southwest Showcase    		 W 64–53  3–0
    		  17 – Sasser  9 – Jarreau  5 – Jarreau  Dickies Arena (3,568)
    Fort Worth, TX
    December 5, 2020*
    5:00 p.m., ESPN+    		 No. 10 South Carolina
    American/SEC Alliance    		 W 77–67  4–0
    		  23 – Grimes  8 – Jarreau  3 – Tied  Fertitta Center (1,859)
    Houston, TX
    December 9, 2020*
    7:00 p.m., ESPN+    		 No. 10 Sam Houston State Postponed due to COVID-19 issues[16] Fertitta Center 
    Houston, TX
    December 12, 2020*
    1:00 p.m., ESPN+    		 No. 10 Rice Postponed due to COVID-19 issues[17] Fertitta Center 
    Houston, TX
    December 20, 2020*
    3:00 p.m., ESPN+    		 No. 6 Alcorn State W 88–55  5–0
    		  27 – Grimes  15 – Gorham  7 – Jarreau  Fertitta Center (1,859)
    Houston, TX
    December 22, 2020
    7:00 p.m., ESPN+    		 No. 6 Temple W 76–50  6–0
    (1–0)    		  22 – Grimes  12 – Gorham  4 – Tied  Fertitta Center (1,859)
    Houston, TX
    December 26, 2020
    12:00 p.m., ABC    		 No. 6 at UCF
    Previously scheduled for Dec. 15    		 W 63–54  7–0
    (2–0)    		  19 – Sasser  5 – Tied  5 – Jarreau  Addition Financial Arena (1,476)
    Orlando, FL
    December 29, 2020
    8:00 p.m., ESPN2    		 No. 5 at Tulsa L 64–65  7–1
    (2–1)    		  19 – Grimes  7 – Grimes  4 – Grimes  Reynolds Center 
    Tulsa, OK
    January 3, 2021
    6:00 p.m., ESPN2    		 No. 5 at SMU
    Rivalry    		 W 74–60  8–1
    (3–1)    		  17 – Sasser  19 – Gorham  5 – Jarreau  Moody Coliseum 
    University Park, TX
    January 6, 2021
    7:00 p.m., ESPN+    		 No. 11 Wichita State W 70–63  9–1
    (4–1)    		  22 – Grimes  10 – Tied  5 – Jarreau  Fertitta Center (1,859)
    Houston, TX
    January 9, 2021
    7:00 p.m., ESPNU    		 No. 11 Tulane W 71–50  10–1
    (5–1)    		  28 – Sasser  11 – Gorham  3 – Tied  Fertitta Center (1,859)
    Houston, TX
    January 17, 2021
    1:00 p.m., ESPNU    		 No. 11 UCF W 75–58  11–1
    (6–1)    		  18 – Grimes  9 – Gorham  5 – Jarreau  Fertitta Center (1,859)
    Houston, TX
    January 20, 2021
    7:00 p.m., ESPN+    		 No. 8 Tulsa W 86–59  12–1
    (7–1)    		  26 – Sasser  11 – Gorham  5 – Tied  Fertitta Center (1,859)
    Houston, TX
    January 23, 2021
    11:00 a.m., CBS    		 No. 8 Cincinnati Postponed due to COVID-19 issues[18] Fertitta Center 
    Houston, TX
    January 23, 2021
    11:00 a.m., CBS    		 No. 8 at Temple
    Previously scheduled for Feb. 8    		 W 68–51  13–1
    (8–1)    		  15 – Tied  10 – Gorham  6 – Jarreau  Liacouras Center 
    Philadelphia, PA
    January 28, 2021
    8:00 p.m., ESPN    		 No. 6 at Tulane W 83–60  14–1
    (9–1)    		  31 – Tyson  15 – Gorham  4 – Tied  Devlin Fieldhouse 
    New Orleans, LA
    January 31, 2021
    12:00 p.m., ESPN    		 No. 6 SMU
    Rivalry    		 W 70–48  15–1
    (10–1)    		  19 – Sasser  17 – Gorham  5 – Jarreau  Fertitta Center (1,728)
    Houston, TX
    February 3, 2021
    5:00 p.m., ESPN+    		 No. 5 at East Carolina L 73–82  15–2
    (10–2)    		  25 – Jarreau  11 – Gorham  5 – Jarreau  Williams Arena (78)
    Greenville, NC
    February 6, 2021*
    2:00 p.m., ESPN+    		 No. 5 Our Lady of the Lake W 112–46  16–2
    (10–2)    		  32 – Tyson  12 – Powell  11 – Shead  Fertitta Center (1,859)
    Houston, TX
    February 10, 2021
    6:00 p.m., ESPNU    		 No. 8 at South Florida
    Previously scheduled for Jan. 14    		 W 82–65  17–2
    (11–2)    		  29 – Grimes  8 – Gorham  8 – Jarreau  Yuengling Center (629)
    Tampa, FL
    February 14, 2021
    12:00 p.m., ESPN    		 No. 8 Memphis Postponed due to COVID-19 issues[19] Fertitta Center 
    Houston, TX
    February 17, 2021
     ESPN+    		 No. 6 East Carolina Postponed due to COVID-19 issues[20] Fertitta Center 
    Houston, TX
    February 18, 2021
    6:00 p.m., ESPN2    		 No. 6 at Wichita State
    Previously scheduled for Feb. 25    		 L 63–68  17–3
    (11–3)    		  16 – Jarreau  7 – Gorham  3 – Jarreau  Charles Koch Arena (2,625)
    Wichita, KS
    February 21, 2021
    12:00 p.m., ESPN    		 No. 6 Cincinnati W 90–52  18–3
    (12–3)    		  20 – Grimes  9 – White Jr.  3 – Tied  Fertitta Center (1,859)
    Houston, TX
    February 25, 2021*
    6:00 p.m., ESPN2    		 No. 12 Western Kentucky W 81–57  19–3
    (12–3)    		  33 – Grimes  8 – Gorham  5 – Gorham  Fertitta Center (1,859)
    Houston, TX
    February 28, 2021
    3:00 p.m., ESPNU    		 No. 12 South Florida W 98–52  20–3
    (13–3)    		  22 – Grimes  8 – Jarreau  7 – Sasser  Fertitta Center (1,859)
    Houston, TX
    March 7, 2021
    11:00 a.m., CBS    		 No. 9 Memphis W 67–64  21–3
    (14–3)    		  19 – Jarreau  12 – Gorham  3 – Jarreau  Fertitta Center 
    Houston, TX
    AAC Tournament
    March 12, 2021
    6:00 p.m., ESPN2    		 (2) No. 7 vs. (10) Tulane
    Quarterfinals    		 W 77–52  22–3
    		  15 – Tied  10 – Jarreau  10 – Jarreau  Dickies Arena 
    Fort Worth, TX
    March 13, 2021
    5:00 p.m., ESPN2    		 (2) No. 7 vs. (3) Memphis
    Semifinals    		 W 76–74  23–3
    		  21 – Grimes  7 – Gorham  3 – Jarreau  Dickies Arena (1,182)
    Fort Worth, TX
    March 14, 2021
    2:15 p.m., ESPN    		 (2) No. 7 vs. (5) Cincinnati
    Championship    		 W 91–54  24–3
    		  21 – Grimes  6 – White Jr.  7 – Tied  Dickies Arena 
    Fort Worth, TX
    NCAA Tournament
    March 19, 2021
    6:15 p.m., truTV    		 (2 MW) No. 6 vs. (15 MW) Cleveland State
    First Round    		 W 87–56  25–3
    		  18 – Grimes  7 – Chaney  4 – Grimes  Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall 
    Bloomington, IN
    March 21, 2021
    6:10 p.m., TBS    		 (2 MW) No. 6 vs. (10 MW) Rutgers
    Second Round    		 W 63–60  26–3
    		  22 – Grimes  9 – Grimes  4 – Gorham  Lucas Oil Stadium 
    Indianapolis, IN
    March 27, 2021
    9:00 p.m., TBS    		 (2 MW) No. 6 vs. (11 MW) Syracuse
    Sweet Sixteen    		 W 62–46  27–3
    		  14 – Grimes  10 – Gorham  8 – Jarreau  Hinkle Fieldhouse 
    Indianapolis, IN
    March 29, 2021
    6:15 p.m., CBS    		 (2 MW) No. 6 vs. (12 MW) Oregon State
    Elite Eight    		 W 67–61  28–3
    		  20 – Sasser  10 – Gorham  8 – Jarreau  Lucas Oil Stadium 
    Indianapolis, IN
    April 3, 2021
    4:14 p.m., CBS    		 (2 MW) No. 6 vs. (1 S) No. 3 Baylor
    Final Four    		 L 59–78  28–4
    		  20 – Sasser  6 – Gorham  3 – Gorham  Lucas Oil Stadium 
    Indianapolis, IN
    *Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses. MW=Midwest Region.
    All times are in Central Time.

    Rankings
    See also: 2020–21 NCAA Division I men's basketball rankings
    Ranking movements
    Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
    т = Tied with team above or below.
    Week
    PollPre12345678910111213141516Final
    AP1710766511118658612976Not released
    Coaches18T18T^8875111186575T107763

    *AP does not release post-NCAA Tournament rankings
    ^Coaches did not release a Week 1 poll

    Awards and honors

    All-American
    • Third Team: Quentin Grimes

    All-AAC Awards
    • Player of the Year: Quentin Grimes
    • Defensive Player of the Year: DeJon Jarreau
    • Most Improved Player: Justin Gorham

    All-AAC First Team
    • Quentin Grimes

    All-AAC Second Team
    • DeJon Jarreau
    • Justin Gorham
    • Marcus Sasser

    Source[21]

    References
    1. Duarte, Joseph (18 May 2020). "Nate Hinton plans to leave UH, play professionally". houstonchronicle.com. Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
    2. Duarte, Joseph [@Joseph_Duarte] (11 May 2020). "Houston forward Cedrick Alley Jr. plans to transfer to UTSA" (Tweet). Retrieved 11 May 2020 – via Twitter.
    3. Duarte, Joesph (22 Jun 2020). "Reggie Chaney transferring to UH basketball from Arkansas". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 25 Jun 2020.
    4. @JonRothstein (10 Sep 2020). "Kelvin Sampson told reporters that Houston's Reggie Chaney has received a waiver from the NCAA and is eligible for the 20-21 season.Transfer from Arkansas" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
    5. "2020 PG Ryan Elvin, New PWO Commit". coogfans.com. Coogfans. Retrieved 25 Jun 2020.
    6. "Houston Tabbed as 2020-21 American Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Favorite". theAmerican.org. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
    7. @Joseph_Duarte (27 May 2020). "Houston forward Fabian White Jr. has suffered a torn ACL, a source confirms" (Tweet). Retrieved 28 May 2020 – via Twitter.
    8. Cobb, David (January 5, 2021). "Houston guard Caleb Mills, the AAC Preseason Player of the Year, transferring from Cougars". CBS Sports. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
    9. Weiler, Curt (January 12, 2021). "FSU basketball lands commitment from Houston transfer Caleb Mills". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
    10. Rothstein, Jon [@JonRothstein] (21 Apr 2020). "Sources: Houston and LSU will begin a home-and-home series next season at the Fertitta Center. Return game in Baton Rouge in 21-22" (Tweet). Retrieved 21 Apr 2020 – via Twitter.
    11. @JonRothstein (10 Oct 2020). "Sources: The home-and-home series between Alabama and Houston remains on as scheduled starting this season in Tuscaloosa. Terrific game for both teams" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
    12. "UH adds basketball game against Our Lady of the Lake". 3 Feb 2021.
    13. "Cincinnati-Houston Men's Basketball Game Set for Feb. 21 Changes Location". 10 Feb 2021.
    14. "Hilltoppers Add Nationally Televised Road Game at #6/5 Houston on Thursday; FIU Series Altered". 21 Feb 2021.
    15. "Houston Announces Schedule Change". 26 Feb 2021.
    16. Duarte, Joesph (8 Dec 2020). "UH basketball pausing activities after positive COVID-19 tests". houstonchronicle.com. Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 21 Dec 2020.
    17. Duarte, Joesph (8 Dec 2020). "UH basketball pausing activities after positive COVID-19 tests". houstonchronicle.com. Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 21 Dec 2020.
    18. "The American Announces Schedule Changes to Pair of Men's Basketball Games". 20 Jan 2021.
    19. "The American Announces Pair of Men's Basketball Postponements". 11 Feb 2021.
    20. "The American Announces Pair of Men's Basketball Postponements". 11 Feb 2021.
    21. "American Athletic Conference Announces Men's Basketball Honors". theamerican.org. 2021-03-10. Retrieved 2021-03-10.
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