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September
22nd, 2006
By Joel
Welser
Broadcast Basketball
Houston
Cougars
Overall Rank:
#49
Conference
Rank: #2 C-USA
2005-06:
21-10, 9-5, 4th
2005-06
postseason: NIT
 The recovery
time of Lanny Smith will go a long way to deciding the success
of the 2006-2007 season for
Houston. Smith underwent successful
surgery to repair a displaced fracture in his left big toe and
could return as early as December. If that date lingers into
January or February, the Cougars will lose their experienced
point guard and be in big trouble.
Who’s Out:
There
are important losses all over the floor at Houston. Brian
Latham started 19 games as a senior and averaged 7.2 points and
4.1 assists on the year. Fellow guard Chris Lawson provided a
few quality minutes off the bench. The forward spot took the
biggest hit in the off-season. Ramon Dyer averaged 12.1 points
and a team high 6.1 boards. Lamar Roberson left the program
after earning six starts as a freshman and could have played a
bigger role for UH this season. Little used forward Darrius
Brannon has also run out eligibility. Center Sergio de Randamie
never put up huge numbers during his time under Coach Tom
Penders, but started 13 games last year and was a solid,
experienced big man.
Who’s In:
What do you
when you lose so much talent and experience? Well, Coach
Penders brings in a whole bunch of junior college transfers.
Charlie Jones III might see a few minutes at the point guard
spot while Smith is sidelined. Jones III is a pure point guard
who can utilize his speed without committing too many
turnovers. Apparently depth at the two guard was a concern, but
it isn’t anymore. Rob McKiver, Marcus Malone and Robert Lee are
all transfers who will see some time on the wings. McKiver
spent a season at Providence before transferring to San Jacinto
College in Texas and should excel in Houston’s style of play.
Malone has some Division I experience as well, spending his
freshman campaign at DePaul before heading to the juco level and
ending up at Houston. At 6-5, Malone has the versatility to
play anywhere on the perimeter and could see some minutes at the
point. Lee is a great scorer and will attack the basket
effectively. The NJCAA Second-Team All-American averaged 20.1
points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.7 steals last year at
Seminole State College in Oklahoma. Dion Dowell, a transfer
from Texas, will be eligible mid-season. The 6-6 wing saw
limited action for the Longhorns, but his athleticism will make
a big impact for the Cougars as soon as he is eligible. Anthony
Jones, a teammate of Lee at Seminole last year, will add some
more depth at the small forward spot. Power forward Tafari
Toney will provide a much needed post presence on both sides of
the floor and will compete for a starting gig right away.
Center Nick Mosley, the lone freshman on the roster, knows how
to score and is a great athlete.
Who to Watch:
Yes,
there are some returning players on this team. The most notable
is last year’s leading scorer, Oliver Lafayette, who averaged
15.7 points per game as a junior. The 6-2 guard is a clutch
shooter and will take all the big shots for the Cougars.
Lafayette tends to take a few too many three balls and would be
more effective if he mixed it up a little more. The 6-2, Baton
Rogue, Louisiana native is the most likely candidate to move
over and run the point while Smith is sidelined. Forward Sam
Anderson doesn’t have much experience after averaging 13.3
minutes in 20 games last year, but at least he has some
experience playing at UH.
Final
Projection:
Jahmar Thorpe
started 25 games last year, averaging 9.2 points and 4.7
rebounds. At 6-6 and 225 pounds, Thorpe is a little undersized
to play the four, but the Cougars will need his rebounding
prowess in the paint. The frontcourt is a concern and will
remain so all season long. However, the backcourt is talented
enough to lead Houston to the NCAAs. The newcomers will need to
get it together early, especially while Smith is sidelined,
because there won’t be any time for Coach Penders to mess around
if he wants to boost the RPI in November and December and have a
shot at an at-large bid.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
NIT
Projected
Starting Five:
Oliver
Lafayette, Senior, Guard, 15.7 points per game
Robert McKiver,
Junior, Guard, DNP last season
Robert Lee,
Junior, Guard, DNP last season
Jahmar Thorpe,
Senior, Forward, 9.2 points per game
Tafari Toney,
Junior, Forward, DNP last season
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