By Field Level Media ,
1 hours ago
Nov 2, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars guard Dedan Thomas Jr. (9) drives to the net against La Salle Explorers forward Noah Collier (7) in the first half at Fertitta Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
The challenges Ole Miss and Michigan presented during the preseason were designed to help No. 10 Houston hit the ground running when the regular season tipped off.
The Cougars responded with a 94-55 home victory over La Salle in their season opener Monday. Their game against Cal on Sunday in Stateline, Nev., represents the next step in preparing for the rigors of the Big 12 schedule.
"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," Houston coach Kelvin Sampson said. "So did we.
"The game (against La Salle), they played hard. They were scrapping, fighting. That was good for us."
Dedan Thomas Jr. led five Cougars in double figures with 16 points and tied Mercy Miller and Corey Hadnot II for the team lead with five assists. Hadnot added 14 points.
Cal (2-0) earned an 84-70 victory over visiting Radford on Wednesday despite the absenc...