THE WOODLANDS — By 6 a.m. Monday, the University of Houston men’s basketball team had assembled on the outfield turf at Schroeder Park for the start of the summer workouts.
The calendar will be packed during the next two months, culminating with an international exhibition tour to Australia in early August as the lead up to the inaugural Big 12 season.
“Just the first step,” senior point guard Jamal Shead said prior to the second annual Fore The Players Classic hosted at The Club at Carlton Woods. “We never look too far ahead. Right now, we’re just focused on getting through these conditioning workouts.”
After Monday’s first workout, the Cougars spent the rest of the day mingling with fans on the Fazio Course as part of a name, image and likeness event held in partnership between NIL collective LinkingCoogs and Campio Sports.
This year’s roster will have a different look with the graduation of All-American guard Marcus Sasser and forward Jarace Walker – both projected as first-round picks in the June 22 NBA draft – from a team that matched the school record with 33 wins but was knocked out in the Sweet 16.
Shead, who opted to return for his final season and withdrew from the NBA draft on May 31, is joined by a returning cast that includes starting forward J’Wan Roberts and key reserves Terrance Arceneaux, Emanuel Sharp, Ja’Vier Francis, Ramon Walker Jr. and Ryan Elvin. The Cougars reloaded through the transfer portal this offseason with the additions of projected starters LJ Cryer (Baylor) and Damian Dunn (Temple) and welcome a freshman class that includes Cedric Lath and Top 100 prospects Joseph Tugler, Jacob McFarland and Kordelius Jefferson.
“Reload” has been the operative word for the Cougars, who have gone 93-14 the past three seasons with trips to the Final Four, Elite Eight and Sweet 16.
“That’s what you come to school for, to raise the expectations,” Shead said. “I’m glad I’ve been part of that process, and I’m glad to be a part of it still. We’ve got some expectations, but that’s what we want on our shoulders.”
Shead said there is extra motivation after the way last season ended. No. 1 in the national rankings for most of the season and a top regional seed, the Cougars were eliminated by Miami two wins shy of a spot in the Final Four at NRG Stadium.
“We didn’t have the best ending to our year,” Shead said. “It did leave a sour taste. We’ve just got to work harder and don’t skip any days and just get back to work so we can end it off the right way we want to.”
Shead, UH’s unquestioned leader, said the addition of Cryer and Dunn elevates the team’s winning pedigree. Cryer was a freshman on Baylor’s 2021 national championship team (which beat UH in the semifinals) and Dunn’s Temple squad was the only team to beat the Cougars at Fertitta Center last season.
“LJ already has a national championship under his belt, so he brings a winning aspect and we played against Damian for three years now and it’s been hard to stop him every time. They just bring a winning aspect to this team, and we can’t wait to get to work.”
NCAA rules allow up to eight hours of supervised workouts per week for weight training, conditioning and skill instruction for eight weeks during the summer.
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