The Cougars will play their College Basketball Invitational game tonight against a familiar opponent. The Tulsa Golden Hurricane will host the 8 p.m. semi-final matchup at the Donald W. Reynolds Center against the Conference USA foe that dealt it a 92-81 defeat in the regular season
The two squads have not faced each other since their Feb. 6 game at Hofheinz Pavilion, and both have weathered some noticeable changes. The Golden Hurricane tore through the conference schedule, winning 12 of its final 15 games. Two of those three losses came against C-USA bully, eventual C-USA champion, and NCAA Sweet 16 participant Memphis.
Tulsa has seen drastic improvement from 7′ sophomore center Jerome Jordan, who averaged 14.7 points and 11.3 rebounds per contest in his last six games. The Golden Hurricane won five of those six games, spanning the C-USA Tournament as well as CBI contests. Houston head coach Tom Penders said Jordan’s improvement has been a huge part of Tulsa’s recent success.
"I think Jordan is one of the best young prospects in the country," Penders said. "He’s good going to his left. He’s good going to his right. He is seven feet tall. He’s just progressing. He’s only a sophomore. The sky’s the limit for that kid.
"I don’t know how we’iacute;re going to match up against him, but we’re going to have to play more than one guy on him, that’iacute;s for sure."
Houston has also seen one of its sophomores step up his game down the stretch of the season.
Kelvin Lewis played himself into the starting lineup around mid-season because of his defensive intensity, but lately he has shown the ability to step up offensively and take some of the load off fellow guard senior Robert "Fluff" McKiver.
Lewis is averaging 20.5 points per game in the CBI, more than doubling his season average of 10.2. He also added a season-high 28 points in Houston’s 24-point defeat of Valparaiso Monday.
Penders said that Lewis has always had the work ethic and that it has just been a matter of building the confidence to produce on the court.
"I’m pleased with his development," Penders said. "He’s got a lot more confidence right now. I like my players to be at that level. He thinks every shot he takes is going in. He’s also a great defensive player, but like Fluff McKiver, he’s also the guy that puts in the most hours (in the gym) on his own."
Houston won its previous two contests against Nevada and Valparaiso to improve to 24-9 and earn the chance to play the 22-13 Golden Hurricane.
