2013–14 Houston Cougars men's basketball team

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2013–14 Houston Cougars men's basketball team

The 2013–14 Houston Cougars men's basketball team represented the University of Houston during the 2013–14 NCAA season. It was Houston’s first year in the American Athletic Conference (AAC). The team was led by head coach James Dickey in his fourth year and played home games at Hofheinz Pavilion in Houston, Texas.

Season summary
- The Cougars finished 17–16 overall and 8–10 in AAC play, placing sixth in the conference.
- They reached the semifinals of the AAC tournament but were defeated by Louisville.

Coaching change
- After the season, head coach James Dickey stepped down for personal reasons. He finished with a 64–62 record over four seasons.
- Kelvin Sampson was later hired to take over the program.

Preseason notes and personnel
- The offseason featured several departures and new additions.
- Departures included Joe Young (the 2012–13 leading scorer, who transferred to Oregon) and J. J. Thompson (transferred).
- Izundu briefly left the program but later returned.
- New players who joined included Jaaron Simmons (Ohio Player of the Year, point guard) and L. J. Rose (transfer from Baylor). Ahmed Hamdy, a 6’9” center from Egypt, also joined the team.
- The roster included a mix of guards, forwards, and big men, with notable players such as Jaaron Simmons, Danuel House, TaShawn Thomas, Danrad Knowles, and L. J. Rose.

Legends Classic and schedule highlights
- Houston participated in the Legends Classic, hosting games in Houston and playing in Brooklyn for the final rounds.
- Their non-conference slate included games against Texas State, Texas–Pan American, UTSA, Louisiana–Lafayette, Rice, and others.
- Notable non-conference wins included a 75–71 victory over UConn on December 31.
- In AAC play, the team earned several wins against conference opponents and finished the regular season with an 8–10 conference record.

AAC tournament and postseason
- In the AAC tournament, Houston defeated SMU 68–64 in the quarterfinals.
- They lost to Louisville 65–94 in the semifinals.

Roster and leadership
- Head coach: James Dickey (4th year)
- Associate head coach: Alvin Brooks
- Assistant coaches: Johnny Estelle and Ronnie Hamilton
- Home arena: Hofheinz Pavilion

Overall, the 2013–14 season was a transition year for Houston as they moved to the AAC, ending with a winning record but a building period under a new conference and a coaching change to follow.