Conference USA report

SportsLine.com Report
April 10, 2000

A Glance at 2001

Simply put, Houston is in a state of flux following the resignation of Clyde Drexler. Former Ball State coach Ray McCallum has been tabbed to replace him, but four of the top five scorers are graduating and the program just endured one of its worst seasons ever.

Even so, the question is: Can things get any worse?

The answer: Probably not.

Conference USA Rookie of the Year George Williams, a 6-8 forward, leads an otherwise decent collection of returning players. Junior swingman Chad Hendrick started 11 games last year and should step in full-time on the wing.

Freshman guard Marcus Oliver also played solidly during his first collegiate season and could start at shooting guard. Sophomore guards Torrence Botts and Bernard Smith, meanwhile, exhibited some flashes of promise but they must become more consistent.

Adding a strong recruiting class that features highly rated power forwards Alton Ford Jr. and Patrick Okafor, one of the country's top JUCO talents, should help the Cougars could win a few more games. Although they could climb out of the C-USA basement, they are unlikely to leap into the league's upper echelon anytime soon.

The Coach

Clyde Drexler signed on two years ago and vowed to turn his alma mater into winners again. Two years and a 19-39 record later, he resigned to spend more time with his family.

McCallum comes over and might be able to fulfill Drexler's promise. Legendary though he was, Drexler had never been a coach before and the Cougars were not a program that could deal with his growing pains gracefully.

He did recruit like a veteran and now McCallum should reap the rewards. Unlike Drexler, McCallum has paid his dues as an assistant and had success at Ball State, posting a 126-76 mark in seven years with the program.

He's not the quick fix, but he might be the best guy for the job at a program that could really use substance over style right now.

Who'll Be Back

They start with Williams, a nice player who could be an All-Conference USA selection next season. Oliver will lead a backcourt ensemble that includes Botts, Smith and seldom-used junior Calvin Murphy, Jr.

Then there is Hendrick on the wing. Up front, meanwhile, McCallum must develop a capable center from among junior Tega Moceanu and sophomore Jake Ballis.

Who'll Be Gone

Houston will certainly miss guard Gee Gervin, the program's first team all-conference selection. Same with senior forward Kenny Younger, one of three Cougars to start all 31 games.

Besides Gervin and Younger, the program loses only a couple of role players in guard Roy Spears and forward Early Smith.

Key Newcomers

McCallum inherits a strong four-man recruiting class that was rated among the nation's Top 30. All four newcomers are from Texas, including two from Houston.

PF Alton Ford Jr. (6-10, 260, Fr.): A great get for the Cougars if he doesn't turn pro. Rated as one of the nation's top frontcourt recruits by several national services, he averaged over 25 points and 15 rebounds for Charles H. Milby High School in Houston. He can bench press over 400 pounds. His game is comparable to Karl Malone, as he can also use finesse.

PF Patrick Okafor (6-8, 230, Jr.): Houston native was a highly sought-after recruit coming out of Lee College in Baytown, Texas. Before picking the Cougars, the former standout at Houston's Westbury High sifted through offers from Arkansas, Baylor, Cincinnati, LSU, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. Considered one of the nation's top JUCO performers, he could have a huge role next season.

SF Justin Lyman (6-6, 200, Fr.): A sharp-shooter who played with Williams at Elkins High School in Brenham, Texas, before playing two years at Blinn College. He's not a highly-rated prospect, but he could push Kendrick for some playing time next year.

PF Chris Booker (6-9, 215, Fr.): A product of Diamond Hill High School in Fort Worth, Texas, he may be a redshirt candidate since the Cougars already have Williams, Ford and Okafor up front. Booker can play inside or outside, though, which could make him a possibility at small forward.