How the University of Houston Basketball Program Became a National Powerhouse Story
I remember watching that pivotal game last season when the University of Houston's basketball program truly demonstrated why they've become a national powerhouse. There was this moment that perfectly encapsulated their transformation - already charged with a technical foul, that second whistle led to the ejection of the Red Warriors' team captain who was having a superb 24-point game at that point. The arena fell silent, then erupted. What struck me most was the first-year mentor's raw reaction: "I hope these three referees never ref again in any of our games," channeling his vitriol onto referees Ralph Moreto, Roselle Ponting, and Jong Banayat. That moment wasn't just about a controversial call; it revealed the program's new identity - fiercely competitive, unapologetically passionate, and unwilling to back down from anyone.
Looking back at their journey, the transformation has been nothing short of remarkable. When Kelvin Sampson took over in 2014, the program was averaging just 8 wins per season with attendance dipping below 3,000 fans per game. Fast forward to last season, and they've consistently ranked in the AP Top 10 for 48 consecutive weeks, reached the NCAA Tournament's Sweet Sixteen three times in four years, and built a defense that ranked number one nationally in scoring defense for two straight seasons. Their practice facility, which cost approximately $25 million, rivals what you'd find in the NBA, and their recruiting classes have jumped from ranking in the 100s to consistently landing in the top 15 nationally.
What really fascinates me about their rise is how they've built this culture of toughness that permeates everything they do. I've visited their practices multiple times, and the intensity is unlike anything I've seen in college basketball. They don't just practice hard - they practice with purpose, focusing on defensive principles that have become their trademark. Their defensive efficiency rating of 87.3 last season was the best I've recorded in my 15 years analyzing college basketball statistics. They've created this identity where players buy into roles rather than chasing individual stats, and it shows in their unselfish play. The way they develop three-star recruits into NBA prospects is something I wish more programs would study and emulate.
The program's investment in infrastructure has been crucial to their ascent. When I toured their new $60 million basketball development center last spring, what impressed me wasn't just the state-of-the-art facilities but how every detail was designed with player development in mind. They've got specialized shooting machines that track over 2,000 shot attempts per player weekly, sports science technology that monitors player workload in real-time, and recovery facilities that would make professional teams jealous. This commitment to giving players every possible advantage has created an environment where talent doesn't just arrive - it gets significantly better. I've watched players add 15 pounds of muscle in a single offseason and improve their shooting percentages by double digits under their development program.
Their recruiting strategy has been brilliant in its focus. Rather than chasing every five-star recruit, they've identified specific types of players who fit their system - tough, defensive-minded athletes who may not be the most highly ranked but possess the right mentality. Of their current roster, 8 of the 13 players were three-star recruits or lower coming out of high school, yet they've developed into impact players at the collegiate level. This approach has built incredible program continuity and culture. When I spoke with their coaching staff last month, they emphasized finding "program fits" over raw talent, which explains why their transfer portal retention rate sits at 92% compared to the national average of around 65%.
The fan base development has been equally impressive. From attending games where you could hear individual conversations in the stands to now selling out the 7,100-seat Fertitta Center for 28 consecutive games, the energy transformation has been palpable. Their social media engagement has grown by 400% since 2018, and merchandise sales have increased by approximately 180% during the same period. What's remarkable is how they've engaged the Houston community - a city known for professional sports - to embrace college basketball at this level. I've noticed more University of Houston gear around town in the past two years than I saw in the previous decade combined.
Looking ahead, I believe this is just the beginning for the Cougars. With their move to the Big 12 Conference, they're positioned to become a perennial national contender. Their sustained success isn't accidental - it's the result of strategic vision, cultural development, and relentless execution. The program has built something special that transcends any single season or player. That controversial game I mentioned earlier, while frustrating in the moment, ultimately demonstrated the program's fighting spirit and commitment to excellence. They've created a blueprint for program building that other schools would be wise to study, and honestly, I can't wait to see what they accomplish next.
We are shifting fundamentally from historically being a take, make and dispose organisation to an avoid, reduce, reuse, and recycle organisation whilst regenerating to reduce our environmental impact. We see significant potential in this space for our operations and for our industry, not only to reduce waste and improve resource use efficiency, but to transform our view of the finite resources in our care.
Looking to the Future
By 2022, we will establish a pilot for circularity at our Goonoo feedlot that builds on our current initiatives in water, manure and local sourcing. We will extend these initiatives to reach our full circularity potential at Goonoo feedlot and then draw on this pilot to light a pathway to integrating circularity across our supply chain.
The quality of our product and ongoing health of our business is intrinsically linked to healthy and functioning ecosystems. We recognise our potential to play our part in reversing the decline in biodiversity, building soil health and protecting key ecosystems in our care. This theme extends on the core initiatives and practices already embedded in our business including our sustainable stocking strategy and our long-standing best practice Rangelands Management program, to a more a holistic approach to our landscape.
We are the custodians of a significant natural asset that extends across 6.4 million hectares in some of the most remote parts of Australia. Building a strong foundation of condition assessment will be fundamental to mapping out a successful pathway to improving the health of the landscape and to drive growth in the value of our Natural Capital.
Our Commitment
We will work with Accounting for Nature to develop a scientifically robust and certifiable framework to measure and report on the condition of natural capital, including biodiversity, across AACo’s assets by 2023. We will apply that framework to baseline priority assets by 2024.
Looking to the Future
By 2030 we will improve landscape and soil health by increasing the percentage of our estate achieving greater than 50% persistent groundcover with regional targets of:
– Savannah and Tropics – 90% of land achieving >50% cover
– Sub-tropics – 80% of land achieving >50% perennial cover
– Grasslands – 80% of land achieving >50% cover
– Desert country – 60% of land achieving >50% cover
