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Posted: Saturday November 06, 1999 11:07 PM

Houston

1998-99 record

10-17 overall, 5-11 C-USA

Coach

Clyde Drexler, 10-17 (one season)

Projected starting lineup

G Bernard Smith, 6-3, So. Transfer from Texas who played in 33 games and averaged 23 minutes for the Longhorns in 1997-98. G Gee Gervin, 6-2, Sr. Sometimes erratic, but always interesting, averaging 20.6 points and 3.4 assists last season. F George Williams, 6-8, Fr. Drexler has compared Williams, the top prep player in Texas as a senior, to Scottie Pippen. F Kenny Younger, 6-9, Sr. Much improved last season, averaging 15.7 points to combine with Gervin as the most proficient scoring duo in league history. F Jake Ballis, 6-8, So. Started seven times last season, averaging 4.1 points and 3.5 rebounds but tore a bicep tendon in his left shoulder in September.

Top guy off the bench

F Early Smith, 6-8, Sr. Smith missed last season with an injury, but his successful return could bolster the Cougars' frontline.

Key Newcomer

F Williams, Sugar Land, Texas. Was the Texas Class 5A Player of the Year last season after averaging 18.3 points and 15.8 rebounds at Elkins High School.

Key Games

vs. Connecticut (Dec. 30). This, along with Georgetown and Texas, are the marquee matchups on the Cougars' otherwise nondescript nonconference schedule. vs. Tulane (Jan. 8 and 29). These games could determine the last-place team in Conference USA.

Outlook

It seemed last year that Drexler pined for the Rockets, not the Cougars. He frequently skipped media functions and often looked disinterested from the sideline. Against Louisville he sat on the scorers' table as his team took a 106-78 beating. He has a few more things to be interested in this season, like the return of Gervin and the addition of Williams. But will Cougars fans, who scooped up season tickets but didn't always show up at Hofheinz Pavilion last season, be drawn to the arena?

Cougars' 1999-00 schedule

 

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