November 18, 2004

For college basketball enthusiasts, it doesn’t get much better than a hoops double feature.

On Friday, Nov. 19, Cougar fans will be treated to twice the action thanks to back-to-back home openers for both the men’s and women’s teams.

At 5:30 p.m., the Lady Cougars take on the Wichita State University Shockers. At 8 p.m., the men’s team led by new head coach Tom Penders play the McNeese State University Cowboys. Both games are at Hofheinz Pavilion.

Expectations are high for both teams considering the Lady Cougars success last year and the much anticipated debut of Penders as a Cougar coach.

During a recent press conference, both Penders and Lady Cougars’ head coach, Joe Curl, discussed the upcoming season and what fans can expect from their teams.

Curl’s current challenges are repeating if not exceeding the success of the 2003 – 2004 season when his Lady Cougars captured the Conference USA title and were ranked ninth nationally. Despite the graduation of leading scorer Chandi Jones, Curl remains confident that his veteran players will maintain the same tenacity that took the team to the NCAA Tournament.

“We’re going to be big, strong and fast. There’s no excuse for us not to have a good basketball team,” Curl said. “I think senior Sancho Lyttle is poised to make a run at Conference USA Player of the Year. I also think senior Joann Overstreet is the strength of our team playing the point guard position. She played more minutes than any other player on our team last season.”

While Curl will rely on senior players for court leadership, Penders will adapt both recruits and veterans to his style of coaching. He said that reaffirming the team’s skills is particularly crucial to its psyche on and off the court.

“I believe in the power of positive thinking,” Penders said. “I don’t tell players what they can’t do. I tell them what they can do.”

As the season gets underway, both coaches are aware that there will be highs and lows on the road to March Madness. Still, if their players can focus on goals as a team and with assurance, then success might be right around the corner.

“The little things are important,” Penders said. “You can’t place enough emphasis on players hanging out together, studying together and working out together. Confidence is also a key. You cannot be successful in anything unless you’re confident.”

Tickets to both the men’s and women’s games can be purchased at the athletic ticket office in the Athletics Alumni Center or online at http://uhcougars.collegesports.com/tickets/hou-tickets.html. For ticket or game information, call (713) 743- 9444.

Mike Emery
memery@central.uh.edu