Former Cougar backfield coach Redd dead at 71

UH/C-USA Notebook

Keenan Singleton

David against Goliath is often thought upon as the greatest upset in the history of the world. 

But after UH defeats Cincinnati at Hofheinz Pavilion on Thursday, it will usurp that Biblical tale as the most unexpected win in recorded history.

"We have a tough matchup coming up on Thursday," UH swingman Chad Hendrick said.

"No one is predicting us to win. If we beat Cincinnati, that would say a lot to the city and across the country. They're overdue for a loss. They're just as vulnerable as any team in the country."

The Cougars will take on the No. 1 team in the nation in Cincinnati. Houston is 0-3 against Top 25 teams this season (Connecticut, Texas and DePaul).

"We definitely have a tough one coming up," UH head coach Clyde Drexler said. "This is a real tough test for us. (Cincinnati is) the best of the best. They're big, they're strong, they're quick. We'll definitely have our hands full with them."

However, no matter what Drexler says, this writer believes the Cougars will come out on top. Houston is definitely capable of pulling off the upset and I think the stars will line up perfectly for Drexler's squad on Thursday.

Injury free ... sort of

With the exception of point guard Treva Crosby, who is red-shirted for the season, all of the Cougars are healthy and on the active roster.

"For the most part, we are injury free," Drexler said, "but not everyone is 100 percent."

The players he is referring to are "The Smiths." Point guard Bernard Smith and power forward Early Smith (no relation) are back in the lineup, but not at full strength.

"I don't think they'll be 100 percent by the end of the year," Drexler said. "But they're playing and they're contributing, which is good. (Both) probably came back too early, but you can never tell."

Bernard Smith is recovering from a wrist injury he suffered in December. Despite the injury being on his shooting hand, Smith has been providing great backup minutes for Roy Spears and Gee Gervin.

Early Smith, who refuses to sit out the remainder of his senior season, is about 80 percent recovered from the knee injury he suffered at the beginning of last season. Nevertheless, his bulky frame has helped fellow forwards Kenny Younger, George Williams, Jake Ballis and Tega Moceanu pound with the giants of C-USA.

Player of the Week

Marques Maybin

For his crucial role in Louisville's upset of previously undefeated Syracuse, Marques Maybin earned the Conference USA Player of the Week award for the week of Feb. 13.

Maybin averaged 21.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and three assists against No. 8 Syracuse and C-USA rival Marquette.

The 6-3 junior guard stroked a career high 26 points against Marquette on Feb. 6.

Maybin, along with senior forward Nate Johnson, has led the Cardinals to four victories over Top 25 teams this season.

Maybin is also just 58 points shy of becoming the 51st Louisville Cardinal to score 1,000 points in his career.

Around the League

Although it is said to be the weaker half of the two divisions in C-USA, the National Division actually might be the better, more competitive of the two.

Four teams (Tulane, South Florida, Alabama-Birmingham, and Southern Mississippi) are all serious contenders to the National Division crown.

Tulane owns a slight edge over the South Florida Bulls. The Tulane Green Wave have an overall record of 17-6 with a 6-5 mark in conference play. 

Tulane has five games remaining -- three away (South Florida, UNC Charlotte and Memphis) and two at home (Saint Louis and Marquette).

The Bulls are .500 in the conference at 5-5 and are 14-9 overall. They have six remaining games on the schedule, three at home (Tulane, Marquette and Memphis) and two on the road (Houston, Southern Miss and Louisville).

UAB sits third in the division at 12-10 overall, 5-6 C-USA. Of the Blazers' five remaining games, three are on the home court (Memphis, Houston and UNC Charlotte), with two on the road (Southern Miss and Marquette).

Southern Miss faces a 90 degree up-hill battle if they wish to succeed as champs.

On a positive note, the Golden Eagles, have already matched last year's win total (14) and look to close out their remaining five games, three home (Saint Louis, UAB and South Florida) and two away (Cincinnati and DePaul).