Today in 1983, the Houston Cougars moved to #1 in the AP Poll. It was UH’s first time in the top spot since 1968.
At the beginning of 1983, the Coogs were #19 in the country but had moved into the top-10 after a 15-point home win over previously unbeaten Arkansas. When February started, UH was #8 and went to #6 then #4 then #2 in the next three polls.
After #1 UNLV lost twice in the last week of February, the Houston Cougars jumped to #1. The Phi Slama Jama craze went into overdrive later in the week when the Cougars went to Fayetteville and knocked off #5 Arkansas, 74-66. It was UH’s first-ever win at Barnhill Arena.
