Sports
 

UH tries to salvage season vs. Eagles

By Jay Gandy
The Daily Cougar

Success can be relative, and the UH men's basketball team is hoping to find a silver lining to an increasingly cloudy season.

Defining a team's success can be a difficult process, with different factors and expectations all a part of the equation. But a win for the Cougars on Wednesday against Southern Miss would go a long way in helping to change the label on this season.

With five games remaining in the regular season, the Cougars are still standing pat at the win total from last season -- eight games. Head coach Ray McCallum has tried to find playing time for everybody, and give his players experience that will provide next year's team with a deep bench. The problem comes in conference play.

The Cougars, 8-14 overall and 2-9 in Conference USA, are desperately struggling to qualify for the C-USA Tournament in March. 

Last season the Cougars went 6-10 in conference play, easily qualifying for the post-season tournament, but losing 74-52 to Tulane in the first round. If the team can manage to get to the tournament and win a game or two, it would go a long way toward silencing the critics who say this year's team has take a step back.

Three of Houston's losses during conference play have been by fewer than four points, including a 75-72 triple-overtime loss to Southern Miss on Feb. 3. With a lucky bounce here or there, the Cougars could easily be 5-6 in C-USA. 

In the second half of the season, McCallum has been using a 12-man rotation. Players like sophomore Cedrick Hensley, sophomore Ramon Dyer and freshman Parker Pinkalla are all getting solid minutes. Increased bench minutes mean Cougar starters are more likely to have fresh legs for their remaining games.

That is important for a team that relies so heavily on strong guard play. Junior Andre Owens and freshman Lanny Smith comprise one of the fastest backcourt duos in C-USA, but both are often called on to play almost the entire ballgame.

That makes it crucial for a team to have experienced players off the bench who are able to come in and contribute when one of the two starters needs rest. 

Against Southern Miss, the Cougars will be looking to avenge a loss in which they had several chances to win the game in overtime. Smith hit a runner in the lane with three seconds left in double overtime that would have put the Cougars up by two, but the basket was taken away because of a charging call. Smith and Owens each had three-point attempts at the end of the game that would have forced a fourth overtime.

Another win would make this season a mathematical improvement, but some are wondering whether the progress is coming quickly enough. A win would also help add distance between Houston and both South Florida and East Carolina, each of which is nipping at the Cougars' heels for the 12th and final C-USA Tournament spot.

The Cougars return home for a game against South Florida at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Hofheinz Pavilion. 

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