No. 10 Houston is set to face Cal on Sunday in Stateline, Nevada, following a strong 94-55 victory against La Salle in their season opener. The Cougars, who have been preparing through challenging preseason matchups against Ole Miss and Michigan, are focused on transitioning into their Big 12 schedule.
Houston coach Kelvin Sampson expressed the value of these earlier games, stating, “We got a lot out of the Ole Miss scrimmage. I think we got a lot out of the Michigan exhibition game because they played all their main guys, so did we.” He praised La Salle’s effort, noting that their scrappy play was beneficial for his team.
In the La Salle game, Dedan Thomas Jr. distinguished himself by scoring 16 points and sharing the team high with five assists, a performance complemented by Mercy Miller and Corey Hadnot II. Hadnot also contributed with 14 points.
Cal, entering the game with a 2-0 record, recently won 84-70 against Radford. Head coach Mark Madsen was absent during that game due to a personal emergency, but associate head coach Adam Mazarei confirmed Madsen’s return for the matchup against Houston.
During the victory over Radford, Cal set a program record with 17 three-pointers, showcasing their perimeter shooting skills. The team has emphasized effective shot selection and confidence in their outside shooting, which has led them to a 48.3% success rate from three-point range across their first two games.
Houston’s coach, Sampson, acknowledged Cal’s threat from beyond the arc, stating, “If you’re shooting that many 3s, it means you’ve got a lot of guys that can make it, and that’s what makes them dangerous.” He noted that preparing his team to face a three-point driven squad remains a significant challenge.
Cal guard Nojus Indrusaitis, who scored 30 points against Radford, highlighted the competitive nature of the upcoming game against Houston, calling them “one of the hardest-playing teams in the country.” He emphasized the need for Cal to match Houston’s intensity on the court.
The game between Houston and Cal is slated for Sunday and presents a crucial test for both teams as they look to solidify their early-season standings and strategies.
