Amanda Knapp
The Houston Cougars men's basketball team has a long and storied history, with the program beginning in the 1945–46 season. The Cougars have achieved notable success, appearing in 26 NCAA tournaments and making six appearances in the Final Four. They have also won several conference tournament titles, including the Big 12 tournament in 2025. The Cougars have a rich history of talented players and coaches, such as Clyde Drexler, who led the team as a player to the 1983 NCAA Final. The team has experienced both triumphs and setbacks, with memorable wins and losses that have contributed to their legacy. More recently, the Cougars have continued to strive for winning seasons and earn their place in the NCAA and NIT tournaments. The Houston Rockets, another professional basketball team in Houston, have also achieved success, with winning streaks extending their season-best records.
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What You'll Learn
Houston Cougars' men's basketball history
The Houston Cougars men's basketball team represents the University of Houston in Houston, Texas, in NCAA Division I men's basketball competition. The Cougars compete as members of the Big 12 Conference and have had a successful history in men's basketball, with 26 NCAA tournament appearances and 22 conference championships
The University of Houston's men's basketball program began in the 1945-46 season, with Alden Pasche as the team's first head coach. In their first two seasons, the Cougars won Lone Star Conference regular-season titles and qualified for postseason play in the NAIA Men's Basketball tournaments in 1946 and 1947, compiling a 2-2 record in the NAIA tournament. During Pasche's tenure, the Cougars posted a 135-116 record and won the Gulf Coast Conference championship in 1950.
Guy Lewis, a former Cougar player under Pasche, took over as head coach after Pasche's retirement in 1956. Lewis led the Cougars to 27 consecutive winning seasons, including 14 seasons with 20 or more wins. In the early 1980s, Lewis's teams, known as "Phi Slama Jama", featured superstars Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon and played an exciting, acrobatic brand of basketball. However, they suffered a dramatic, last-second loss in the 1983 NCAA Final and lost again in the 1984 final, despite their talented roster.
In recent years, the Cougars have continued to be a competitive force in college basketball. They have appeared in the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) three times and have had numerous players selected in the NBA draft and named to All-American teams. The team has also maintained rivalries with other prominent college basketball programs, including Rice, Cincinnati, Memphis, and former Southwest Conference foes.
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Houston Cougars' recent performance
The Houston Cougars men's basketball team has a rich history, with some notable successes in the past. The team first began in the 1945–46 season, and in their first two seasons, they won Lone Star Conference regular-season titles and qualified for the NAIA Men's Basketball tournaments. The Cougars then went on to have a successful run in the 1980s, making it to the NCAA Final in 1983 and 1984, led by coach Guy Lewis and players Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon. However, they lost both finals.
More recently, the Cougars have had a mixed bag of performances. In the 2007–08 season, they started strong with 11 wins out of their first 12 games but ultimately lost most of their critical games towards the end of the season. The team was not able to qualify for the NCAA tournament. The following season, under coach Ray McCallum, the Cougars improved their record to 18–15 and qualified for the National Invitation Tournament. However, they failed to maintain this momentum in the next season.
In the 2025 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, the Cougars, led by LJ Cryer, defeated Gonzaga 81-76 to reach the Sweet 16 for the sixth straight year. The team also recently won against SIUE with a score of 78-40, with Milos Uzan scoring 16 points.
The Cougars have appeared in 26 NCAA tournaments, with a combined record of 42–30. They have made six appearances in the Final Four but have never won a national championship.
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Houston Rockets' winning streak
The Houston Rockets are a professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. They compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA). On February 26, 2025, the Houston Rockets had a notable win against the Milwaukee Bucks with a final score of 100-97. This victory was significant as it snapped Milwaukee's 4-game winning streak.
The Houston Rockets have had several impressive winning streaks throughout their history. During the 2007-2008 season, the team won 22 consecutive games, which stands as the longest winning streak in franchise history. They also achieved a 15-game winning streak during the 1993-1994 season and a 14-game winning streak in the 1992-1993 season.
The Rockets' 22-game winning streak in the 2007-2008 season was a memorable chapter in the team's history. It propelled them towards their successful campaign that year, ultimately culminating in an NBA Championship. This winning streak showcased the team's dominance and cohesion, solidifying their place as one of the top teams in the league that season.
In addition to the Rockets' notable winning streaks, the team has a rich history in the NBA. They have experienced both triumphs and setbacks over the years, including appearances in the NBA Finals and losses in crucial games. The Rockets have a passionate fan base that has celebrated their successes and supported them through challenging times.
The city of Houston has a strong basketball culture, with the Rockets serving as a source of pride and unity for the community. The team's success has inspired and engaged fans, fostering a vibrant basketball atmosphere in the city. The Rockets' winning streaks have undoubtedly contributed to the team's legacy and their place in the hearts of Houston's basketball enthusiasts.
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Houston Cougars' players
The Houston Cougars are the men's basketball team of the University of Houston. The Cougars began in the 1945–46 season with Alden Pasche as their first head coach. During Pasche's tenure, the Cougars won the Lone Star Conference regular-season titles in their first two seasons and qualified for postseason play in the NAIA Men's Basketball tournaments in 1946 and 1947. They also won the Gulf Coast Conference championship in 1950.
Guy Lewis, a former Cougar player, took over as head coach after Pasche's retirement in 1956. Lewis led the Cougars to 27 consecutive winning seasons, including 14 seasons with 20 or more wins. In the early 1980s, the Cougars, featuring superstars Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon, reached new heights of popularity with their dynamic, high-flying style of play known as "Phi Slama Jama". They reached the NCAA Final in 1983 and 1984 but suffered dramatic losses in both tournaments.
Following his playing career, Drexler returned to coach the Cougars in the 1990s but resigned after two seasons. Ray McCallum took over as head coach in 2001 and guided the team to an 18–15 record in the 2001–02 season, including two conference tournament wins and a qualification for the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). However, the team struggled in the following season and failed to qualify for the NIT.
In recent years, the Cougars have continued to build their basketball legacy. They have appeared in 26 NCAA tournaments, with a combined record of 42–30, and have made six appearances in the Final Four without winning a national championship. In the 2024–25 season, the Cougars, led by players like Milos Uzan and LJ Cryer, defeated Gonzaga 81-76 to advance to the Sweet 16 for the sixth straight NCAA Tournament.
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Houston Cougars' rivals
The Houston Cougars men's basketball team was established in 1945, with their first head coach being Alden Pasche. During Pasche's tenure, the Cougars posted a 135–116 record, and won the Gulf Coast Conference championship in 1950. The team has since gone on to appear in 26 NCAA tournaments, with six appearances in the Final Four—the most of any team without a national championship.
The Houston Cougars have several rivals, with Rice University, also based in Houston, considered to be their main rival. The winner of the annual Rice-Houston crosstown rivalry game is awarded the Bayou Bucket trophy. The Cougars lead the series 66-18 through the 2023-24 season.
Historically, the University of Texas at Austin has also been a strong rival. The Cougars' hand-sign, the Cougar Paw, originates from this rivalry. In 1953, while travelling to Austin, the Cougars' live mascot, Shasta, had her toe severed in a cage door. The Cougars also have a baseball rivalry with Texas A&M, the originator of the "Cougar High" moniker. The University of Cincinnati, Memphis, and SMU are also considered rivals of the Houston Cougars.
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Frequently asked questions
No, they lost to the North Carolina State Wolfpack.
No, they have appeared in 26 NCAA tournaments but have never won. They have also never won a national championship.
Rice, as the Cougars lead the series 66-18 through the 2023-24 season.
Their record is 5-11, having appeared in 11 NITs.
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