Houston looks to advance in CBI
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2008 @ 12:54 am
Nevada opens tournament tonight at six
When Houston men’s basketball coach Tom Penders saw that his team will play Nevada in the first round of the College Basketball Invitational, he was a little down.
“I would rather have played Brown (University),” he said. “I think every coach would rather play a team they have a better chance to beat. I think a Brown-Houston matchup would be a little better for us.”
Many college coaches were waiting to find out their team’s next opponent Sunday. Nevada hoped to hear its name in the National Invitation Tournament, but it wasn’t called.
So now Nevada will compete in the inaugural CBI today at 6 p.m.
“I was a little disappointed (with not making the NIT),” said Mark Fox, who guided the Wolf Pack to a 21-11 record tied for the WAC crown. “But the guys have a reward to play in the postseason.”
The 16-school bracket has teams such as Washington, Virginia and Cincinnati.
Nevada lost to New Mexico State in the semifinals of the Western Athletic Conference and Houston lost in the first round for the Conference USA Tournament to UTEP.
Houston finished the season 22-9 and third in the Conference USA. This is the first postseason appearance for Houston since the 2002 NIT berth.
Senior Robert McKiver, a 6-foot-3 and 190-pound guard, tops the Cougars in scoring with 23 points a game and 1.8 steals per game.
“He’s a meat and potatoes kind of guy,” Penders said. “Not a fancy guy, he just plays hard.”
Dion Dowell leads the team with rebounding at 6.7 per game and Tafari Toney grabs eight per game.
Those two, as well as Marcus Cousin, will likely be in charge of guarding JaVale McGee.
Penders was really impressed with McGee for his size, 7-foot, and athleticism.
“I was really impressed with the big guy,” Penders said. “We don’t have anyone that can matchup well with him. He’s talented. That kid’s going be a pro some day, I think.”
This will be the first matchup between the teams since 1993 when Houston won 92-80. The Cougars have won the last three meetings and hold a 6-1 record in the series.
Nevada vs. Houston
What: CBI matchup between Houston and Nevada
When: Today 6 p.m., Lawlor Events Center
Tickets: $5 for students, available at Lawlor ticket office.
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