Historical perspective of the Houston Cougars 10-2 start in 2012-13

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2013 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 3, 2013) The Houston Cougars men’s basketball team has jumped out to a 10-2 start in 2012-13, their best start since 2007-2008.

Through 12 games, the Cougars have started 10-2 nine times, in addition to sporting a n 11-1 record four times and a perfect 12-0 start once.

In their nine 10-2 starts, the most recent came in 1992-93, when the finished the season 21-9 and advanced to the NIT first round.

The best season finished when they begin a season 10-2 were the years from 1982 to 1984.

During the 1982-1983 season, Houston went 32-5 and advanced to the national championship game, eventually losing to North Carolina State 54-52.

The Cougars continued their success on the court, again advancing to the national championship game in 1983-1984.

They again lost in the championship final, 84-75 to the Georgetown Hoyas.

Five of the seasons they started 10-2 (1955-56, 1972-73, 1977-78, 1980-81, 1991-92), Houston advanced to the NCAA first round.

The only season in which the Cougars started 10-2 in which they did not advance to the post-season was 1975-1976.

They finished 17-11 for the season and 7-9 in Southwest Conference action, dropping four of their final five regular season games.

In 1967-68, Houston started 12-0 and finished the season 31-2. They finished the season with two loses at the national championship tournament.

Their first loss was in the semi-final round of the NCAA Final Four.

They were ranked No. 1 in the nation and dropped a 101-69 decision to John Wooten’s UCLA Bruins in Los Angeles.

The next day, they fell to Ohio State in the third place game by the score of 89-85.

Earlier in the year, they previously faced off against UCLA in The Astrodome in what was dubbed as the “Game of the Century". They beat the Bruins 71-69 with Elvin Hayes leading the Cougars.

In school history, the Cougars have been to the NCAA Tournament 19 times and made an appearance in the Final Four on five occasions.

The 1966-67 team consisted of former Houston Rockets head coach Don Chaney and current radio analyst Elvin Hayes

Both were also members of the 1967-68 squad that played in the Final Four.

The 1981-82 featured former Houston Rockets players Clyde Drexler and Hakeen Olajuwon.

Drexler and Olajuwon were also members of the 1982-83 team.

The 1983-84 team also included Olajuwon and current Houston Director of Basketball Operations Michael Young.

Houston sophomore guard, Joseph Young is a member of the current Cougars team and the elder Young’s son.