Nov. 10, 2009

HOUSTON - The University of Houston men's basketball team was picked fourth in the Orlando Sentinel's inaugural Conference USA preseason media poll.

The Cougars earned 186 points in voting done by 21 members of the media representing all 12 C-USA markets.

Senior guards Aubrey Coleman and Kelvin Lewis, the top two returning scorers in the league in 2009-10, earned places on the Preseason All-Conference USA Team. Coleman, who was named the league's Newcomer of the Year in 2009, joined Tulsa center Jerome Jordan as the only unanimous selections.

Lewis averaged 18.4 points per game and ranked among the league leaders in minutes played, 3-point field goals per game, 3-point field goal percentage and free throw percentage a year ago.

The Cougars joined Tulsa as the only team with two First-Team honorees.

Jordan was selected as the league's Preseason Player of the Year, while Memphis guard Elliott Williams was tabbed as the Newcomer of the Year.

Tulsa received 18 of the 21 first-place votes and led all teams with 249 points. Memphis received two first-place votes and ranked second with 224 points, while UTEP earned the remaining first-place vote on the way to 202 points,

Marshall, Southern Miss, UCF, Tulane, SMU, UAB, East Carolina and Rice rounded out the remaining teams.

UP NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
The Cougars open the 2009-10 campaign at 7 p.m., Nov. 17, when they play host to Nicholls State inside Hofheinz Pavilion. It will be the first of 15 home games for the Cougars this season.

2009-10 Conference USA Men's Basketball Preseason Media Poll
conducted by the Orlando Sentinel

Rk. • School • Points
1. Tulsa (18) • 249
2. Memphis (2) • 224
3. UTEP (1) • 202
4. Houston • 186
5. Marshall • 154
6. Southern Miss • 113
7. UCF •98
8. Tulane • 95
9. SMU • 84
10. UAB • 81
11. East Carolina • 75
12. Rice • 68

Player of the Year: Jerome Jordan, Tulsa
Newcomer of the Year: Elliot Williams, Memphis

FIRST TEAM
Jerome Jordan (unanimous) • Tulsa • C • Junior •7-0
Aubrey Coleman (unanimous) • Houston • G •Senior •6-4
Kelvin Lewis •Houston • G • Senior • 6-4
Arnett Moultrie • UTEP • F • Sophomore • 6-11
Ben Uzoh •Tulsa • G • Senior • 6-3

SECOND TEAM
Randy Culpepper • UTEP • G • Junior • 6-0
Brock Young • East Carolina • G • Junior • 5-11
Kevin Sims • Tulsa • G •Senior • 5-10
R.L. Horton • Southern Miss • G • Junior • 6-0
Will Coleman • Memphis • F • Junior • 6-9

THIRD TEAM
A.J. Rompza • UCF • G • Sophomore • 5-9
Elliott Williams • Memphis • G • Sophomore • 6-5
Paul McCoy • SMU • G • Sophomore • 5-11
Doneal Mack • Memphis • G •Senior • 6-5
Julyan Stone • UTEP • G •Junior • 6-6

• Ticket Office Home
• Seating Charts
• Shipping / Will Call
• Gameday Guide
• Visitors

• Football
• Men's Basketball
• Other Sports
• Group Tickets
• Student Tickets

• Buy Tickets Online
• Renew Season Tickets
• Ticket Referrals
• Seating Charts
• Events Calendar