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
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:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    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:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    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:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    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 April 9, 2020.

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
US college sports recruiting information for 2021 recruits
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Ramon Walker
SF		 Pearland, TX Shadow Creek High School 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 195 lb (88 kg) May 20, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN grade: 76
Robbie Armbrester
PF		 Atlanta, GA Wasatch Academy 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Sep 7, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN grade: 77
Ja'Vier Francis
C		 Montverde, FL Montverde Academy 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Sep 27, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN grade: 78
Overall recruiting rankings:   247Sports: 29
  • 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:

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 (9)
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 Injured
  • Redshirt 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 6.[12]
  • The game @ Cincinnati originally scheduled for February 21 was moved to Houston.[13]
  • Houston added a game vs. Western Kentucky on February 25.[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. 7 Sam Houston State Postponed due to COVID-19 issues[16] Fertitta Center 
Houston, TX
December 12, 2020*
1:00 p.m., ESPN+		 No. 7 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 (1,859)
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
  • Quentin Grimes – AP (3rd), USBWA (3rd), NABC (3rd), SN (3rd)

John McLendon Award
  • Kelvin Sampson

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 (May 18, 2020). "Nate Hinton plans to leave UH, play professionally". houstonchronicle.com. Houston Chronicle. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  2. Duarte, Joseph [@Joseph_Duarte] (May 11, 2020). "Houston forward Cedrick Alley Jr. plans to transfer to UTSA" (Tweet). Retrieved May 11, 2020 – via Twitter.
  3. Duarte, Joseph (June 22, 2020). "Reggie Chaney transferring to UH basketball from Arkansas". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  4. @JonRothstein (September 10, 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 June 25, 2020.
  6. "Houston Tabbed as 2020-21 American Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Favorite". theAmerican.org. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  7. @Joseph_Duarte (May 27, 2020). "Houston forward Fabian White Jr. has suffered a torn ACL, a source confirms" (Tweet). Retrieved May 28, 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] (April 21, 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 April 21, 2020 – via Twitter.
  11. @JonRothstein (October 10, 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". February 3, 2021.
  13. "Cincinnati-Houston Men's Basketball Game Set for Feb. 21 Changes Location". February 10, 2021.
  14. "Hilltoppers Add Nationally Televised Road Game at No. 6/5 Houston on Thursday; FIU Series Altered". February 21, 2021.
  15. "Houston Announces Schedule Change". February 26, 2021.
  16. Duarte, Joseph (December 8, 2020). "UH basketball pausing activities after positive COVID-19 tests". houstonchronicle.com. Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  17. Duarte, Joseph (December 8, 2020). "UH basketball pausing activities after positive COVID-19 tests". houstonchronicle.com. Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  18. "The American Announces Schedule Changes to Pair of Men's Basketball Games". January 20, 2021.
  19. "The American Announces Pair of Men's Basketball Postponements". February 11, 2021.
  20. "The American Announces Pair of Men's Basketball Postponements". February 11, 2021.
  21. "American Athletic Conference Announces Men's Basketball Honors". theamerican.org. March 10, 2021. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
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