From his first to second season, head coach James Dickey has improved the Cougars’ record from 12-18 to 15-15. Another jump in the standings is expected this season as Dickey and his coaching staff have put together the 18th best recruiting class in the nation according to ESPN. The Cougars still have two scholarships left. | Josh Siegel/The Daily Cougar
The squads that the Cougars have run out in head coach James Dickey’s first two seasons won’t be confused with UH’s legendary Phi Slama Jamma teams, but in each of Dickey’s first two seasons, their record and his recruiting classes have gotten stronger each year, and there’s no reason to not believe that the Cougars will continue that trend in the upcoming season.
Houston is a hotbed for high school sports and produces some of the nation’s top talent. Dickey and his staff, who also deserve a lot of credit, have been able to something that his predecessors could not — sell that top talent on playing basketball at the University of Houston.
This year’s incoming recruiting class was ranked 18th in the nation by ESPN, and features two top-50 prospects, Danuel House and Danrad “Chicken” Knowles, and intriguing 6-10 prospect, Valentine Izundu. With two scholarships remaining, Dickey and his staff have an opportunity to augment an already impressive class that plugs a few holes on the roster.
This will be the Cougars’ last season in Conference USA before moving to the Big East, still a powerhouse hoops conference even without Pittsburgh, Syracuse and West Virginia. This is the year for Dickey and UH to make a splash and lure in more big time prospects with a winning season.
House should make an impact right away. His body is developed. He has an explosive game and can get to the rim at will — just the type of player that the Cougars need. I wouldn’t be shocked to see him in the starting lineup on opening night at the 3.
Knowles, a 6-9 forward, has a nice jumper and a good handle for a player of his height, but he’s going to need to pack on a few pounds to bang inside at the college level. He might not start as a freshman, but it’s not hard to imagine him being a key contributor off the bench as a stretch-4.
Izundu has a ton of potential. He is an active defender and incredible shot blocker — check him out on YouTube against Fort Bend Bush’s Cameron Ridley. Unfortunately, Izundu is at least a year away from being a major contributor; he needs to add more weight to his frame. He only began playing basketball in the ninth grade, though, and the coaching staff already loves his feel for the game with such limited playing experience.
Taking all of that into consideration, Dickey and Co. have added a potential star on the wing, a forward off of the bench that can stretch the D and their potential center of the future. Not bad. UH still has hole though and it will be imperative for UH to fill those with their remaining scholarships.
On the agenda for the Cougars are a point or combo guard, someone that can handle the ball, and another post. The Cougars should look for a JUCO point guard that can help right away, and they are still in the hunt for a few of the top remaining prospects.
In the post, the help they need might already be on their bench. J.J. Richardson transferred to UH from Pittsburgh last season and had to sit out. He will be able to team with TaShawn Thomas and fill major minutes in the post.
Dickey and his staff have assembled a solid roster and have added depth with this recruiting class. The roster now consists of players that he brought in. How the Cougars use their remaining two scholarships could be the difference between another so-so season or UH re-establishing itself as a winner.
