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Sports

Cougar loss reveals lack of leadership

Silent Assassin 

by RONNIE TURNER

Maintaining composure under pressure is something most winning teams are able to do with ease. But after watching the UH men's basketball team blow a 24-point second-half lead in a 76-71 loss to Rice Wednesday night, it's clear the Cougars do not possess that trait.

If you were shocked at the utter lack of composure the Cougars (6-9, 1-2 Conference USA) displayed during the final nine minutes of Wednesday's game, you had every right to be. Of course, the Cougars didn't seem to mind, seeing as they were too busy taunting the Rice players and complaining about fouls to focus on closing out the game.

Wednesday's debacle confirmed what most UH fans have been thinking for much of the season: the team lacks discipline. There's also an absence of a strong leader. 

However, according to junior point guard Robert "Fluff" McKiver, that position has already been filled.

"I'm definitely disappointed, and I definitely take the blame," McKiver said following Wednesday's loss. "Me as our star player and me as the point guard. I get the glory when we win. I take the blame for this loss."

McKiver may be the only player on the team who shares these opinions. During last week's press conference before Houston's game against Memphis, head coach Tom Penders told reporters that he once polled his team to see which player they considered their leader. Penders said seven different players received votes and no individual received more than two votes.

Like a ship sailing without its captain, the Cougars have been floating adrift without a strong leader. The Cougars' floor leader, senior guard Lanny Smith, is out for the remainder of the season after accepting a medical redshirt. That loss was bigger than previously thought.

"When Lanny went down, it changed the goals for the season," Penders said following Wednesday's loss. "All I ask the kids to do is play their hearts out and play as hard as they can." 

Penders sounded like a tired coach who has seen his squad suffer one defeat too many. Not to say he's given up on the season, but it doesn't sound as if he has high hopes heading into Saturday's game at Tulsa.

With 15 games remaining in the regular season, the Cougars will ride out the storm and attempt to finish strong. 

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