My Sports Column 3/29...
Volume 71, Issue 115, Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Sports
Penders deserves extended contract
Sports Commentary
Seth Mintz
Since Pender's arrival, UH men's basketball has been on an upswing. If the progression that has occurred over the last two seasons continues, the Cougars could soon find themselves making noise in the NCAA tournament.Penders, 60, received a one-year contract extension after leading the Cougars to 21 wins and a NIT bid this year. This was the first 20 win season for UH since the 1993 season that saw UH go 21-9 under Pat Foster.
The revival under Tom Penders has been amazing. Penders, the seventh head coach in UH men's basketball history, led his team to 18 wins last year. The 18 wins from the 2004-2005 season were one more than the previous two seasons combined.
Before Penders, the team was a shell of its former self.
Due to their lack of success, the Cougars could not keep the local talent from leaving Houston. Seeing players such as John Lucas III and Emeka Okefor have success at other institutions exemplified the problems that UH had in recruiting. Players who grew up in this city didn't want to be here.
Then Tom Penders steps in and things start to change. He had tried to not only bring better talent to the university, but has tried to put his players in the best position to win.
UH had impressive wins over Arizona and LSU and were very close to getting a NCAA tournament bid. And more importantly, they want more wins and success and the players will come back next year as motivated as ever.
Winning is good for campus morale and for the players. It's also good for recruiting. Houston, and its surrounding cities, is full of basketball talent UH has previously lost to UT, A&M, Oklahoma and many others. The recent success for the Cougars could start netting more upper-echelon prospects that would truly make UH a power.
The success of the program under Penders has given many people the belief that UH could soon be a contender for not just their conference, but for success in the NCAA tournament.
Penders has instilled a growing confidence in his team and its supporters as well. UH is playing good teams and gaining national television exposure. These are all key ingredients to having a great basketball program. And we have Tom Penders to thank for that.
Sports
Penders deserves extended contract
Sports Commentary
Seth Mintz
Since Pender's arrival, UH men's basketball has been on an upswing. If the progression that has occurred over the last two seasons continues, the Cougars could soon find themselves making noise in the NCAA tournament.Penders, 60, received a one-year contract extension after leading the Cougars to 21 wins and a NIT bid this year. This was the first 20 win season for UH since the 1993 season that saw UH go 21-9 under Pat Foster.
The revival under Tom Penders has been amazing. Penders, the seventh head coach in UH men's basketball history, led his team to 18 wins last year. The 18 wins from the 2004-2005 season were one more than the previous two seasons combined.
Before Penders, the team was a shell of its former self.
Due to their lack of success, the Cougars could not keep the local talent from leaving Houston. Seeing players such as John Lucas III and Emeka Okefor have success at other institutions exemplified the problems that UH had in recruiting. Players who grew up in this city didn't want to be here.
Then Tom Penders steps in and things start to change. He had tried to not only bring better talent to the university, but has tried to put his players in the best position to win.
UH had impressive wins over Arizona and LSU and were very close to getting a NCAA tournament bid. And more importantly, they want more wins and success and the players will come back next year as motivated as ever.
Winning is good for campus morale and for the players. It's also good for recruiting. Houston, and its surrounding cities, is full of basketball talent UH has previously lost to UT, A&M, Oklahoma and many others. The recent success for the Cougars could start netting more upper-echelon prospects that would truly make UH a power.
The success of the program under Penders has given many people the belief that UH could soon be a contender for not just their conference, but for success in the NCAA tournament.
Penders has instilled a growing confidence in his team and its supporters as well. UH is playing good teams and gaining national television exposure. These are all key ingredients to having a great basketball program. And we have Tom Penders to thank for that.