University of HoUston Media alManac 2012-13 cougar woMen's basketball www.UHcoUgars.com www.UHcoUgars.com 2012-13 Houston Women's BasketBall Credits Executive Editor Kyle Seay Editors Jeff Conrad Allison McClain Editorial Assistance Katie McCloskey, Roman Petrowski, Ellie Pardee Layout Kyle Seay Printing University of Houston Printing and Postal Services University of HoUston department of atHletiCs 3100 Cullen Blvd. Houston, Texas 77204-6002 www.UHCougars.com media almanaC TABLE OF CONTENTS 2012-13 SCHEDULE MEDIA INFORMATION HISTORY & RECORDS DATE OPPONENT TIME 2012-13 Schedule/Quick Facts 1 Career Records 52-53 Nov. 9 at Mississippi State 7 p.m. Media Information 2-4 Single-Season Records 54-55 in nov. 13 alaBama 7 p.m. 2012-13 Schedule 5 Individual Records 56-57 f Nov. 17 at Yale 6 p.m. o 2012-13 Season Preview 6-7 Freshman Records 58-59 r Nov. 20 at McNeese State 7 p.m. m 2012-13 Roster Information 8 Team Records 60-61 nov. 23 soUtHeastern missoUri^ 5:30 p.m. a 2012-13 Opponents 9-10 Year-by-Year Statistics 62 t nov. 24 nortHWestern state^ 2:30 p.m. io Hofheinz Pavilion Records 63 n nov. 27 Utsa 7 p.m. COACHES & STAFF 1,000-Point Club 64-67 nov. 30 neW meXiCo 7 p.m. Chandi Jones 68 Head Coach Todd Buchanan 12-13 Dec. 2 at TCU TBA Award Winners 69-70 Associate Head Coach Wade Scott 14 dec. 8 CreiGHton 2 p.m. All-Time Letterwinners 71 Assistant Coach Ravon Justice 15 dec. 22 teXas state 12 p.m. Annual Leaders 72 Assistant Coach Leah Foster 16 Dec. 30 at Texas Tech 2 p.m. Starting Lineups 73-74 Support Staff 17-20 Jan. 6 delaWare state 2 p.m. Miscellaneous Records 74 NCAA Tournament History 75-76 Jan. 10 mempHis* 7 p.m. 2012-13 COUGARS WNIT History 77-78 Jan. 13 at UAB* 2 p.m. Returning Players 22-31 Ranked Results 79 Jan. 20 at Marshall* 11 a.m. Newcomers 32-39 All-Time Coaching Records 80 Jan. 24 soUtHern miss* 7 p.m. All-Time Series Records 81 Jan. 27 Utep* 1 p.m. 2011-12 SEASON REVIEW Year-by-Year Results 82-86 Jan. 31 at SMU* 7 p.m. Postseason Notes 42-43 feb. 3 tUlane* 2 p.m. 2011-12 Results 44 feb. 7 east Carolina* 7 p.m. Season/C-USA Boxscore 45 Feb. 10 at Rice* 2 p.m. Statistics Breakdown 46 feb. 14 tUlsa* 7 p.m. Points-Rebounds-Assists 47 Feb. 17 at Tulane* 2 p.m. 2011-12 C-USA Recap 48 Feb. 21 at UTEP* 8 p.m. Season Superlatives 49 feb. 24 smU* 2 p.m. Feb. 28 at UCF* 6 p.m. QUICK FACTS march 3 riCe* 2 p.m. March 7 at Tulsa* 7 p.m. GENERAL INFORMATION COACHES & STAFF March 13-16 Conference USA Championship# TBD Location: ......................................Houston, Texas Head Coach: ........Todd Buchanan (Murray St. ‘95) Founded: ......................................................1927 Record at Houston: ............29-32 (Two years) All times are Central and subject to change Enrollment:...............................................39,820 Career Record: ................128-136 (Nine years) Chancellor/President: ................Dr. Renu Khator Associate Head Coach: ......................Wade Scott Home games are listed in Bold Caps Faculty Representative: .......Dr. Richard Scamell Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator: ......... *C-USA game VP for Intercollgiate Athletics: ....Mack Rhoades Ravon Justice ^David Jones Classic (Hofheinz Pavilion) SWA: .............................................DeJuena Chizer Assistant Coach: ................................Leah Foster #C-USA Championship (Tulsa, Okla.) Nickname: ...............................................Cougars Director of Operations: ..............Rusty Laverentz Colors: .....................Scarlet (PMS 185) and White Administrative Coordinator: ............Chandi Jones Arena (Capacity): ....................Guy V. Lewis Court Video Coordinator: .........................Brittany Mason at Hofheinz Pavilion (8,479) Conference: .................................Conference USA atHletiCs CommUniCations Asst. AD/Communications: ............David Bassity team information Asst. Director/WBB Contact: ................Kyle Seay 2011-12 Overall Record: .............................3-26 Office: ......................................(713) 743-9391 2011-12 C-USA Record (Finish): ......2-14 (12th) Cell: .........................................(832) 657-5138 2011-12 C-USA Tournament Record: ............0-1 Email: [email protected] Lettermen Returning: .......................................4 Director: .............................................Jeff Conrad Lettermen Lost: .................................................8 Assistant Director: .......................Allison McClain Starters Returning: ...........................................3 Assistant Director: ....................Michael McGrory Starters Lost: .....................................................3 Communications Asst.: .............Kailee Neumann Redshirt Freshmen:...........................................0 Communications Phone: ...........(713) 743-9404 Newcomers: .....................................................10 Communications Fax:.................(713) 743-9411 Press Row:...................................(713) 743-9414 Website: ............................www.UHCougars.com 1 2012-13 HoUston Women’s BasketBall MEDIA INFORMATION HOUSTON ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS n o i t a m r o f n DAVID BASSITY JEFF CONRAD KYLE SEAY ALLISON McCLAIN MIKE McGRORY KAILEE NEUMANN i ASSISTANT AD DIRECTOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT Cell: (405) 274-1455 Cell: (713) 557-3841 Cell: (832) 657-5138 Cell: (936) 635-1129 Cell: (713) 504-1748 Office: (713) 743-9404 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] FOOTBALL MEN’S BASKETBALL, GOLF WOMEN’S BASKETBALL, TENNIS VOLLEYBALL, BASEBALL SOFTBALL, SOCCER, TRACK & FIELD, SWIMMING & DIVING CROSS COUNTRY The University of Houston is an equal opportunity institution whose programs, services, activities and operations are without discrimination as to sex, color, or national origin and are not opposed to qualified handicapped persons. CREDENTIALS ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE PRESS SEATING AND PARKING All requests for working press, radio, television, photography or The University of Houston Athletics Communications Office is located Press row seats are for working newspaper writers, radio and televi- scouting credentials should be made by emailing Kyle Seay, Assistant in the Ted Nance Suite (No. 2008) on the second floor of the Athletics/ sion reporters, along with Houston Athletics staff, and are allocated by Director of Athletics Communications, at [email protected], at Alumni Center. the Houston Athletics Communications Office, which reserves the right least 48 hours before tipoff. Seating on press row at Hofheinz Pavilion The Athletics/Alumni Center is located at 3100 Cullen Blvd., between to deny credentials to any outlet. Admission to press row is by pass only. is for working media only. Cougar Field (baseball stadium) and Hofheinz Pavilion. Season press credentials serve as media parking passes to the All space for the working press, radio and television is allocated faculty/staff parking lot on Holman Street across from Hofheinz Pavilion. by the Houston Athletics Communications Office, which reserves the CREDENTIALS Visiting media who request credentials in advance can be added to a right to deny credentials to any outlet. Spouses, dates, children and Arrangements for media credentials for the University of Houston’s parking list and may park in the same lot. All others may be charged. non-workers are restricted from press row. Any abuse of a working 2012-13 home basketball season must be made through the Houston credential will result in the media agency losing credential privileges. Athletics Communications Office. TELEPHONES/INTERNET Freelance and/or non-daily writers may be asked to produce copies Requests can be faxed to the Athletics Communications Office at Phone lines are available on press row on a first-come, first-serve of actual publications in which their work has appeared. Admission to (713) 743-9411 or e-mailed to kyle seay, assistant director of ath- basis. Hofheinz Pavilion also is equipped with wireless internet during press row is by pass only. letics Communications, at [email protected] at least 48 hours games. prior to tipoff. Credentials only will be mailed if specifically requested. ACCREDITATION GUIDELINES Those credentials not picked up or mailed will be left at the Hofheinz PHOTOGRAPHERS Ñ Only full-time, salaried employees intending to provide actual Pavilion media entrance facing Cullen Blvd. Photographers and videographers are allowed to shoot from the game coverage may receive credentials. baseline only. Ñ A requesting media agency must represent a collective, orga- WNBA SCOUTS Only those on assignment and with proper media credentials will nizational editorial voice, not simply the offerings of a single WNBA scouts will be provided media credentials on a space-available be allowed to shoot game action. No flash attachments, monopods or individual. basis. Credentials for WNBA scouts should be requested by the parent tripods may be used at Hofheinz Pavilion. Ñ Membership in a writer’s association does not automatically club on letterhead. qualify an agency for credentials. RADIO/TELEVISION BROADCASTS Ñ A media agency may assign one of its credentials to its online INTERVIEWS All requests for radio/TV broadcasts must be made in advance entity. All interviews with Houston coaches, student-athletes and admin- through the assistant ad of the Houston Athletics Communications Ñ An online entity, not associated with a traditional media istrators MUST be coordinated through the Athletics Communications Office. agency, may qualify for one credential, subject to the follow- Office. ing conditions: Arrangements to speak with a member of the women’s basketball VISITING RADIO program should be made with assistant athletics Communications Phone lines for originating radio broadcasts (two ISDN, one POTS) 1. An on-line entity may receive a credential only director kyle seay (713-743-9391/[email protected]) at least will be provided on a reciprocal basis. Contact assistant athletics if its own full-time staff writes a majority of that one day prior to the desired interview date. Student-athletes and Communications director kyle seay to obtain those numbers in site’s material. coaches are generally available after practice. advance of game day. 2. Online entities that focus primarily on University The locker rooms, training room and weight room inside the Athlet- of Houston Athletics and sponsor message boards ics/Alumni Center and Hofheinz Pavilion are off-limits to reporters. ACCESS TO COUGARS INFORMATION or chat rooms, may receive credentials provided On game days, no Houston student-athletes will be available until UHCougars.com – The official web site of University of Houston they adhere to a policy that requires that a the postgame media session. Athletics includes rosters, schedules, statistics, player profiles, press posted message or opinion is identified with the releases, game notes and more. The site is updated daily and also actual name and city of the individual posting GAME DAY includes links to listen to UH Athletics events live over the Internet. the message. Pregame packets, including notes and statistics, will be available e-mail list – Press releases, notes and statistics are e-mailed to 3. Any online service that is recognized as an outlet in the Hofheinz Pavilion media room (located concourse level at the a large contingent of media. To be added to the list, please contact intended primarily for the purpose of delivering north end of the facility behind section 128) prior to each home contest. assistant athletics Communications director kyle seay (713- news related to the recruitment of student-athletes Timeout, halftime and final statistics plus running play-by-play and 743-9391/[email protected]) . will not qualify for credentials. postgame notes and quotes will be provided. Notes packets will be available prior to each game and in many 4. Online entities will not receive photography Stat monitors will be set up along press row to provide up-to-the- instances, much earlier. credentials. second information. A light meal will be provided during pregame. 5. Online entities (other than those identified above) Postgame interviews for head coach todd Buchanan and selected registering 20,000 legitimate unique users per CONFERENCEUSA.COM student-athletes will be held in the Hofheinz Pavilion media room month in each of the past 12 months will be given The league’s official web site contains information on all 12 schools, (located concourse level at the north end of the facility behind section first consideration. including updated conference statistics, schedules and standings. 128) following each home game. After a brief, cooling-off period, Buchanan and selected student- athletes will be brought to the media room to answer questions. 2 media almanaC MEDIA INFORMATION ATHLETICS TICKET OFFICE HOUSTON IMG COLLEGE With the Rams, Fiandt personally generated more than $2 million in The University of Houston Athletics Ticket Office is located on the IMG College is the leading multimedia, marketing and licensing/ sales during tenure with team and was responsible for leading sales first floor of the Athletics/Alumni Center next to the UH Fan Shop. All brand management company in America, representing more than 200 team to $7 million annual goal. major credit cards are accepted. The ticket office is open from 8 a.m. of the nation’s top collegiate properties, including the NCAA and its 89 Fiandt spent over two years as Premium Seating and Service Manager i to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Tickets can also be purchased online championships, NCAA Football, leading conferences and many of the with the San Francisco 49ers prior to making the move to St. Louis. In n by visiting UHCougars.com. most presitigious college and universities in the country. San Francisco, Fiandt increased premium seating and suite sales for the fo Headquartered in Winston-Salem, N.C., IMG College employs 700 franchise by 20 percent in the oldest non-renewed facility in the NFC. r TICKETS people in nearly 100 offices throughout the nation with annual sales Fiandt spent the first four years of her career working in the Metroplex m SEASON o f ImMoGr eC othllaeng e$ 4is5 t0h me liellaiodne.r in capturing consumer devotion to college w iFthia nthdet Dbaelglaasn Mhearv ecarircekesr, Dina cllhaas rSgtea rosf acnodrp Toerxaatse Rsaalnegse frosr. the Rangers atio TYPE FLOOR SEATS GENERAL ADMISSION sports through partnership opportunities in multimedia rights, licensing, and Stars and spent the next three years managing 127 luxury suites n Public $200 $75 events and hospitality, marketing, stadium and arena development, at The Ballpark in Arlington and over 115 different client accounts for stadium seating solutions, ticketing, sales and consulting. the Rangers. single-game • non-premium The company produces nearly 30,000 hours of radio programming on Prior to moving to San Francisco, Fiandt spent the next year as an ac- TYPE FLOOR SEATS GENERAL ADMISSION the largest sports network in the country, manages nearly 5,000 hours of count executive with the Mavericks, where she generated more than 400 Public $20 $8 local television programming, is the leading publisher of college sports accounts in season ticket, group and suite revenue in 2005-06 season. Faculty/Staff & H-Assoc.# $20 $6 publications and is the largest manager of university athletic websites. Fiandt graduated from Wichita State University with a bachelor degree Youth* $20 $5 IMG College is a division of IMG Worldwide, a global sports, fashion in sport administration and a minor in marketing and also lettered on and media business. For more information, please visit IMGWorld.com. the Shocker volleyball squad. * – Youth pricing available for ages 3 through high school To contact the IMG College office in Houston, call 713-743-1446. # - Discount not available on gameday. Must be purchased in evan HaWkins advance. Account Executive First Year at Houston CONFERENCE USA PRESS ROW PHONES pat streko East Carolina 252-328-0135 General Manager Marshall 304-696-3304 Memphis 901-678-2005 (Elma Roane) Second Year at Houston ON THE AIR 901-205-2758 (FedEx Forum) Rice 713-348-5638 pat streko enters his second season as the General Manager of Houston IMG Sports Marketing. A seasoned professional with ties at the National SMU 214-768-7742 Football League and collegiate levels, Streko came to UH after two years Southern Miss 601-266-5428 with the St. Louis Rams as the organization’s National Sales Director. Tulsa 918-631-5400 Jeremy BranHam At UH Streko will be responsible for the oversight of broadcast, signage, Tulane 504-862-8122 digital, print, on-site and hospitality rights. Specifically, Streko and IMG Radio Play-by-Play UAB 205-934-0720 College will monitor radio network play-by-play, weekly coach’s radio Eighth Season at Houston UCF 407-823-2477 shows, weekly coach’s television shows, football & baseball stadium UTEP 915-747-5154 signage, basketball arena signage, game publications, official Cougar Jeremy Branham returns for his eighth year behind the microphone sports publications, on-site brand activation, on-site hospitality, Internet as the voice of UH women’s basketball. advertising and other miscellaneous advertising assets. The Humble, Texas, native received his bachelor’s degree at Houston Streko is making his second stop in Houston. He served as the Houston in 2010 and also serves as the play-by-play voice for the Cougar Baseball Texans’ Director of Corporate Sales for four years and was part of the team and hosts the Tony Levine Show. Texans’ original management team and a vital part of the organization’s Branham has extensive broadcast experience, first working as a fill- off-field success and fan growth. in broadcaster for the Houston ISP Sports Network during the 2005-06 Streko moved on to the San Francisco 49ers where he served as the women’s basketball season. Director of Business Partnerships. In San Francisco he led the team’s He will be joined on select broadcasts by local basketball personal- revenue generation department, specifically focused on sponsorship ity Louis Ray. sales, media sales, premium seating sales and client services. He was also involved in the team’s broadcast agreements and helped brand a number of 49ers themed television programs, including the Emmy Award winning 49ers Total Access. A native of Lafayette, N.J., Streko is a graduate of Villanova University and he and his wife Genevieve have two children. Caitlin fiandt Associate General Manager Second Year at Houston Caitlin fiandt is in her second year as Associate General Manager with Houston IMG Sports Marketing after spending the previous 10 years at the professional level with MLB, NBA, NHL and NFL franchises. Fiandt came to Houston after serving for nearly three years as Senior Manager for Premium Seating and Service with the St. Louis Rams. Fiandt worked alongside current General Manger of Houston IMG Sports Marketing, Pat Streko, in St. Louis. 3 2012-13 HoUston Women’s BasketBall MEDIA OUTLETS PRINT MEDIA pHone faX WeB site Associated Press-Houston, 16945 Northchase Dr., Suite 2110, Houston, TX 77060 281-872-8900 281-872-9988 Chris Duncan, Kristie Rieken [email protected], [email protected] n o i Associated Press-State, 4851 LBJ Freeway, Suite 300, Dallas, TX 75244 972-991-2100 972-991-7207 t a Jamie Aron, Southwest editor [email protected] m r o Houston Chronicle, P.O. Box 4260, Houston, TX 77210-4260 713-362-7891 713-362-7866 Chron.com f n Nick Mathews, sports editor; Joseph Duarte, college writer; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] i Jerome Solomon, columnist The Daily Cougar, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204-4071 713-743-5303 713-743-5384 TheDailyCougar.com Andrew Pate, sports editor [email protected] Houston Forward Times, P.O. Box 8346, Houston, TX 77288-8346 713-526-4727 713-526-3170 ForwardTimes.com Yolande Lezine [email protected] Dallas Morning News, P.O. Box 655237, Dallas, TX 75265-0237 214-977-8444 214-651-0580 DallasNews.com Garry Leavell, sports editor; Mark Konradi, deputy sports editor; Kate Hairopoulos [email protected]; [email protected] Fort Worth Star-Telegram, P.O. Box 1870, Fort Worth, TX 76102 817-390-7760 817-390-7789 Star-Telegram.com Celeste Williams, managing editor/sports and features; David Humphreys, Tom Johanningmeier [email protected] RADIO KCOH (1430 AM), 5011 Almeda Road., Houston, TX 77004 713-522-1001 713-521-0769 KCOHRadio.com Ralph Cooper, sports director; Kris Gardner [email protected] Sports Radio 610, 24 Greenway Plaza #1900, Houston, TX 77046 713-881-5100 713-881-5499 SportsRadio610.com John Lopez, Robert Henslee, Rich Lord, Josh Innes, Shaun Bijani, Barry Warner [email protected] Sports Talk 790, 2000 West Loop South, Suite 300, Houston, TX 77027 713-212-8000 713-212-8957 790TheSportsAnimal.com Charlie Pallilo, Matt Thomas, Matt Jackson, Adam Wexler, Dylan Gwinn, Lance Zierlein [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] 1560 The Game (KGOW), 5353 West Alabama, Suite 415, Houston, TX. 77056 713-479-5300 713-479-5300 1560TheGame.com John Granato, Travis Rodgers, John Harris, Richard Justice, Sean Pendergast, David Nuno granato@1560thegame; dnuno@1560thegame 97.5 ESPN (KFNC), 9801 Westheimer, Suite 700, Houston, TX 77042 713-260-4504 713-954-2331 975TheTicket.com Carl Dukes, Dave Tepper, David Dalati, Fred Faour, Julie Takahashi [email protected]; [email protected] KTRH News Radio 740, 2000 West Loop South, Suite 300, Houston, TX 77027 713-212-8000 713-212-8957 KTRH.com TELEVISION KHOU (CBS), P.O. Box 11, Houston, TX 77001 713-521-4375 713-420-7763 KHOU.com Butch Alsandor, sports director; Matt Musil, Daniel Gotera, Bob Luna [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] KPRC (NBC), P.O. Box 2222, Houston, TX 77001 713-778-4986 713-771-4930 Click2Houston.com Randy McIlvoy, sports director; Adam Clanton, Allen Reid, Darryl George [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] KRIV (Fox), 4261 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77027 713-479-2841 713-626-9872 MyFoxHouston.com Mark Berman, sports director; Keith Calkins, Doug Biggers [email protected], [email protected] KTRK (ABC), P.O. Box 13, Houston, TX 77001 713-663-4572 713-663-4591 ABC13.com Greg Bailey, sports director; Tim Melton, Bob Slovak [email protected], [email protected]; [email protected] KIAH (CW), 7700 Westpark Drive, Houston, TX 77063 713-435-2931 713-787-0528 KHCW.trb.com Steve Mark, director; David Salano [email protected] KTBU, 11150 Equity Dr., Houston, TX 77041 713-351-0755 713-351-0756 The Tube.net Todd Freed [email protected] 4 media almanaC 2012-13 HOUSTON WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE date (day) opponent site time Nov. 9 (Fri.) at Mississippi State Starkville, Miss. 7:00 P.M. i nov. 13 (tues.) alaBama HofHeinz pavilion 7:00 p.m. n f Nov. 17 (Sat.) at Yale New Haven, Conn. 6:00 P.M. o r Nov. 20 (Tues.) at McNeese State Lake Charles, La. 7:00 P.M. m a Nov. 23 (Fri.) Northwestern State vs. UTPA^ HOFHEINZ PAVILION 3:00 P.M. t i nov. 23 (fri.) soUtHeast missoUri state ^ HofHeinz pavilion 5:30 p.m. o n Nov. 24 (Sat.) Southeast Missouri State vs. UTPA^ HOFHEINZ PAVILION 12:00 P.M. nov. 24 (sat.) nortHWestern state^ HofHeinz pavilion 2:30 p.m. nov. 27 (tues.) Utsa HofHeinz pavilion 7:00 p.m. nov. 30 (fri.) neW meXiCo HofHeinz pavilion 7:00 p.m. Dec. 2 (Sun.) at TCU Fort Worth, Texas TBA dec. 8 (sat.) CreiGHton HofHeinz pavilion 2:00 p.m. dec. 22 (sat.) teXas state HofHeinz pavilion 12:00 p.m. Dec. 30 (Sun.) at Texas Tech Lubbock, Texas 2:00 P.M. Jan. 6 (sun.) delaWare state HofHeinz pavilion 2:00 p.m. Jan. 10 (thurs.) mempHis* HofHeinz pavilion 7:00 p.m. Jan. 13 (Sun.) at UAB* Birmingham, Ala. 2:00 P.M. Jan. 20 (Sun.) at Marshall* Huntington, W.Va. 11:00 A.M. Jan. 24 (thurs.) soUtHern miss* HofHeinz pavilion 7:00 p.m. Jan. 27 (sun.) Utep* HofHeinz pavilion 1:00 p.m. Jan. 31 (Thurs.) at SMU* Dallas, Texas 7:00 P.M. feb. 2 (sat.) tUlane* HofHeinz pavilion 2:00 p.m. feb. 7 (thurs.) east Carolina* HofHeinz pavilion 7:00 p.m. Feb. 10 (Sun.) at Rice* Houston, Texas 2:00 P.M. feb. 14 (thurs.) tUlsa* HofHeinz pavilion 7:00 p.m. Feb. 17 (Sun.) at Tulane* New Orleans, La. 2:00 P.M. Feb. 21 (Thurs.) at UTEP* El Paso, Texas 8:00 P.M. feb. 24 (sun.) smU* HofHeinz pavilion 2:00 p.m. Feb. 28 (Thurs.) at UCF* Orlando, Fla. 6:00 P.M. march 3 (sun.) riCe* HofHeinz pavilion 2:00 p.m. March 7 (Thurs.) at Tulsa* Tulsa, Okla. 7:00 P.M. March 13-16 (Wed.-Sat.) Conference USA Championship Tulsa, Okla. TBD All times are Central and subject to change. Home games listed in Bold Caps and are played on Guy V. Lewis Court at Hofheinz Pavilion. * - Indicates Conference USA contest ^ - David Jones Classic (Hofheinz Pavilion) 5 2012-13 HoUston Women’s BasketBall 2012-13 SEASON PREVIEW The Cougars entered last season riding high from one of “My heart’s full again,” Buchanan said. “Just to watch her RETURNING STATISTICAL LEADERS the most memorable seasons in school history before di- walk around and smile and be happy and healthy again is Category no. player saster struck with an array of injuries, including five Cou- good for everyone around here. When you’re as good of a n Games Played 29 Terran Alford o Minutes 692 Terran Alford gars that went down for the entire season. person as she is, much less a player, you never want any- i t Scoring Avg. 4.4 Mae Woods one going out that way. For her to be able to come back for a m Field Goal Pct. 38.5 Terran Alford With the return of fifth-year senior Porsche Landry leading a true senior year and be able to help with such a young r Free Throw Pct. 58.8 Terran Alford the way, Houston looks to get back to its winning ways in group and be their leader and coach on the floor, I’m really o f Rebounding Avg. 5.7 Terran Alford 2012-13 under Todd Buchanan, and the third-year head excited.” n Assists 10 Porsche Landry i coach is optimistic about their chances. Blocked Shots 25 Alford, Woods Landry is joined by fellow senior Tasha Tubbs, who went Steals 28 Terran Alford “Obviously last year didn’t come close to what we had down with a season-ending knee injury in the same game *Porsche Landry played only three games due to injury hoped or what our goals were, but you can’t live in the past last season. Tubbs came to Houston from Howard College and you have to move on,” Buchanan said. “We get a clean where she was a big-time 3-point threat, and impressed CAREER RECORDS WATCH slate for the 2012-13 season and we’re all very optimistic coaches with the work she put in during the offseason fol- ASSISTS and excited about it, especially with 10 new players on the lowing her injury. 5. Porsche Landry (345, needs 128 for No. 1) roster.” GAMES STARTED Joining the veterans in the backcourt is the talented fresh- 6. Porsche Landry (91, needs 30 for No. 1) Buchanan, the 2011 Conference USA Coach of the Year, man trio of Jessieka Palmer, Alecia Smith and Bianca hopes this year’s mix of veterans and talented newcomers Winslow. GAMES PLAYED will pay off, as the roster features seven upperclassmen, 8. Porsche Landry (95, needs 24 for top 10) including four transfers, and six freshmen. Palmer comes to Houston as a highly-touted recruit from La Marque High School, where she averaged 19.7 points 3-POINT FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE Buchanan’s third squad at Houston may also be the deep- per game as a senior and was named Galveston Daily News’ 9. Porsche Landry (.305 - 51-of-167) est with the most size, as the team averages nearly six feet Most Valuable Player. At six-foot, Palmer will be utilized to with 10 players standing at 6-0 or taller. create mismatches and has the skillset to play positions MINUTES PLAYED 10. Porsche Landry (2,625) one through four, depending on the opponent. Palmer has “Going into year three we have by far the deepest team great shooting ability and can create her own shot, which POINTS that we’ve had,” Buchanan said. “Even in the 2010-11 sea- will come up big in the Cougars’ pick-and-roll and transi- 22. Porsche Landry (1,081, needs 201 for top 10) son, we never got any further than an eight-player rota- tion game. tion. We’re more athletic overall and team depth should be 3-POINT FIELD GOALS MADE a strong point for us, and that gives us as a staff a lot more Smith joins the Cougars after starring at Cedar Hill High - Porsche Landry (51, needs 25 for top 10) flexibility to play at an up-tempo pace and do more things near Dallas, where she earned District 5-5A Co-Offensive defensively.” Player of the Year honors as a junior. The 5-8 point guard FIELD GOALS MADE will back up Landry, but could also share the backcourt - Porsche Landry (409, needs 61 for top-10) Along with Landry, returners Tasha Tubbs (senior), Mae with the senior at times because of her ability to shoot and FIELD GOAL ATTEMPTS Woods (junior) and Terran Alford (sophomore) are back create opportunities off the dribble. - Porsche Landry (963, needs 177 for top-10) along with transfers Destini Texada (senior), Marissa Ashton (junior), Yasmeen Thompson (junior) and Te’onna Winslow, the daughter of former Houston men’s basket- FREE-THROWS MADE Campbell (junior). ball great Rickie, joins the Cougars from nearby Bellaire - Porsche Landry (212, needs 46 for top-10) High where she was a District 20-5A First-Team selection. BaCkCoUrt Winslow can serve as a third point guard, which Buchanan FREE-THROW ATTEMPTS Houston’s backcourt will once again feature arguably the hasn’t had the luxury of having in his first two seasons. The - Porsche Landry (302, needs 82 for top-10) top player in C-USA as Porsche Landry was granted an- 5-7 combo guard possesses good athleticism and quick- STEALS other year of eligibility following her season-ending injury ness with an ability to shoot the ball, while excelling as an - Porsche Landry (166, needs 10 for top-10) in just the third contest of the 2011-12 season. on-ball defender. The speedy 5-1 point guard, who leads all active players in frontCoUrt C-USA with 345 career assists, is a perfect fit in Buchanan’s The Cougar frontcourt features a mix of veterans and un- up-tempo style of play, averaging 15.4 points per game in derclassmen with great size, which was sorely missed last 35 contests compared to just 9.0 points per game in her season. The only returners in the post are sophomore Ter- first two seasons. Landry demonstrated her ability to take ran Alford and junior Mae Woods, while transfers Destini over a game in the season-opening contest against New Texada, Yasmeen Thompson, Marissa Ashton and Te’onna Mexico State last year, rattling off a career-best 37 points. Campbell will all look to made immediate impacts. 6 media almanaC 2012-13 SEASON PREVIEW Alford was thrown into the fire as a freshman, starting in Amerson, the District 16-4A Offensive Player of the Year The Cougars open the 2012-13 campaign with back-to- 27 of the 29 contests played while averaging 3.9 points at Rudder High, has impressed the Houston staff so far in back contests against SEC opponents, traveling to face and 5.7 rebounds per contest. In just her third collegiate the preseason and could make an immediate impact at Mississippi State on Nov. 9 before opening the home i game, Alford tied a school record with 20 rebounds and positions two through four. The 6-1 forward has the abil- slate against Alabama on Nov. 13. n f finished the season with the eighth-most rebounds ity to defend the post and also play out at the perimeter o r (166) and blocks (25) among all freshmen at Houston. and has shot the ball well during workouts. Houston then takes to the road for a pair of rematches m Alford fought through a knee injury during the offseason from last season, traveling to New Haven, Conn., for a a t but has shown no ill effects and has continued to work The depth at the post position will also receive a huge meeting with Yale (Nov. 17) before facing a McNeese i o on becoming a better finisher around the basket. boost with the addition of 6-2 twins Taylor and Tyler State (Nov. 20) squad that posted a 26-8 record and ad- n Gilbert. Tyler earned District 23-5A Most Valuable Player vanced to the NCAA Tournament a year ago. Woods, the tallest player on the squad at 6-4, is back honors as a senior after averaging 16.7 points, 8.9 re- for her third season following a sophomore campaign bounds and 4.0 blocks per game, and brings a dominant For the second-straight season the Cougars will host the that saw her average 4.4 points and 3.2 rebounds while post presence with her skill set. Tyler has the ability to be David Jones Classic with contests against Southeast Mis- ranking seventh in league play with 1.4 blocks per game. an elite shot blocker and rebounder and can drive to the souri State and Northwestern State on Nov. 23 and Nov. Woods has spent the offseason getting stronger and has basket from 15 feet out as well as play with her back to 24. Houston began the David Jones Classic last season developed into a more confident player. the bucket. honoring the late assistant coach (1999-2006), who is also the father of Cougar great, Chandi Jones. Texada spent her first two collegiate seasons at Hous- Taylor will play more with her back to the basket and can ton Baptist where she averaged 10.2 points and 6.9 re- also come off a screen from the high post and be produc- The Cougars continue their four-game homestand with bounds over 57 career games and will become eligible tive from 12 feet. Taylor also has the ability to be a strong two more rematches from last season, facing UTSA on for her final season in January. Texada brings much- rebounder while also using her length and athleticism to Nov. 27 and New Mexico on Nov. 30. needed athleticism to the three and four positions and stretch the defense in transition. has developed the ability to step out and shoot the three. Houston then travels to Fort Worth for its yearly meeting tHe sCHedUle with TCU on Dec. 2 before returning home to play host to Ashton, a 6-0 forward, spent two seasons at Texas Tech Sixteen home games and eight contests against postsea- 2012 NCAA Tournament participant Creighton on Dec. 8. and is viewed as a game changer by the Houston coach- son teams from a year ago highlight the 2012-13 slate ing staff after sitting out the 2011-12 season. Ashton can for the Cougars. The Cougars return to action following final exams on provide mismatches on the perimeter or on the post and Dec. 22 to host Texas State and travel to Lubbock on Dec. will be utilized in “pick-and-pop” situations where she Buchanan has put together another exciting and chal- 30 to take on Texas Tech to end 2012. will be isolated to knock down the perimeter shot, which lenging non-conference slate that features four contests she has worked hard to develop. against teams from the Big 12 and SEC. Houston will Houston tips off 2013 with its final non-conference con- face three non-conference opponents that reached the test against Delaware State (Jan. 6) at Hofheinz Pavilion Campbell comes to Houston after earning NJCAA Second- postseason in 2012, while eight of the 13 non-league before opening its final season of Conference USA action Team All-America honors as well as WJCAC Player of the contests will be played at Hofheinz Pavilion. on Jan. 10. Year accolades at New Mexico Junior College. The 5-10 forward is extremely athletic and could be a major con- “We’ve continued the trend of putting together a tough This season’s C-USA Championship will be held in Tulsa, tributor from a production standpoint. Campbell has the non-conference schedule that should pay dividends for Okla., on March 13-16. ability to guard positions one through four and can cre- us down the road,” Buchanan said. “Playing a schedule ate mismatches for the opposition. of this caliber is how you become a top-25 team, and we hope to reach our goals of returning to the national rank- Thompson rounds out the veteran post players after ings and NCAA Tournament this season.” transferring from Paris Junior College, where she aver- aged 8.1 points and 9.0 rebounds per contest. The 6-2 For the second-straight season, the Cougars play host native of Philadelphia, Pa., excels on the defensive side to 16 total opponents at Hofheinz Pavilion, tying for the of the ball and is a strong rebounder. Thompson will al- second-most all-time. Houston opens Conference USA low the Cougars to take more chances on the perimeter play on Jan. 10 against Memphis in the first of seven as she can protect the lane and basket with her shot- league contests against winning teams in 2012. blocking ability. Thompson also excels at running the floor in transition and can also pop out and knock down “We’re extremely happy to be able to play so many of our the perimeter shot from eight feet. games in front of our `Sixth Man’ at Hofheinz, and we hope they’ll come out and give us a true home-court ad- Three freshmen, Marche’ Amerson, Taylor Gilbert and vantage,” Buchanan continued. “With Porsche (Landry) Tyler Gilbert, also join the mix at the post position after returning along with some incredibly talented newcom- highly-decorated prep careers in the Houston area. ers, we look to provide our fans with an exciting brand of basketball.” 7