Houston Basketball had the (unofficial) tip-off to the season Sunday with an exhibition game against Texas A&M. It was the 3rd meeting in the 12 months between the two programs. It should be pointed out that it was just an exhibition.
UH’s old guard – J’Wan Roberts, Emanuel Sharp, and LJ Cryer – picked up right where they left off a season ago. It appeared they just rolled in from the last game against Duke and were ready to go to war again. But, I have to remind myself it was just an exhibition.
We got our first real look at the new point guard, Milos Uzan, who has the impossible task of taking over for Jamal Shead. Those are massive shoes to fill; fortunately, he doesn’t have to fill them. This program has a history of replacing point guards that are impossible to replace.
GoCoogs.com’s own Galen Robinson laid the groundwork and set the standard. DeJon Jarreau picked up the torch and passed it to Jamal Shead, and now that torch has been passed to Milos Uzan. Although the former PGs played the same position and took on the same role as the team’s leader, they all brought something different to the table. After his first action, Milos definitely looks like the part. But, again, it was just an exhibition.
We finally got a chance to see Terrance Arceneaux again. He returned triumphantly after a devastating injury in December’s game against Texas A&M. After seeing him for 17 minutes, he looks like a different guy. He matured physically, and he played freely. He had that same swagger that stood out while helping lead his Beaumont United team to a state title. This version of Arceneaux is the one that all the scouts have raved about and tabbed a future NBA draft pick. But dammit, Towns, it was just an exhibition.
Speaking of guys coming back, JoJo Tugler announced his presence with authority. His injury last season couldn’t have come at a worse time, as he was starting to become a true menace for opponents. Like Arceneaux, he showed more swagger and was more aggressive on the offensive end. No, it didn’t turn into any points, but he collected almost as many offensive rebounds as the Aggies did as a team (8 for JoJo, 10 for Ags). Plus, if a dude his size comes out rocking mutton chops, he is ready to stand on business.
I have a feeling about Ramon Walker Jr. Well, maybe a few feelings. First, it feels like he has been here forever, probably because he is the embodiment of this program: Hard work, intensity, selflessness, focus, and determination. You name it, and this young man has it. You can put him on a poster with Reggie Chaney as the model UH basketball player. Just like Reggie, Ramon fills the role of someone who will do the dirty work, take a big charge, and vault at a loose ball. I think Ramon will break out this season and show there is a lot more to his game.
Just an exhibition. Got it.
We also had our first look at Mercy Miller. This was a big deal for me because I had followed this guy since he announced his commitment in August of 2021. Some might have been surprised, but I saw the same player I had been watching in HS. His talent wasn’t surprising, but his reaction to adversity in his first few minutes was. That was the most impressive and encouraging thing of Mercy’s debut.
This is the exact mentality you love to see out of a player. Even more so from a true freshman in his first action.
It was an exhibition. For charity, too!
Finally, we have my guy, big Ced Lath. Bigger, stronger, and faster than ever, he is ready to answer the call again.
But can we chalk all this up to “it was just an exhibition?” But this wasn’t UNC Pembroke, Montana Tech, or Angelo State; those were just exhibitions. The game vs. A&M was against a team UH battled to the wire last December and in the second round of the NCAA tournament. The Aggies are #13 in the coaches’ preseason poll and have the guys to compete with UH.
While an exhibition, this was a game against a quality opponent where the new-look Coogs looked just like the Coogs of old. It proved that Houston has the talent and the depth to do some real damage this season. This Monday, it all begins for real: the first step on a 22-week journey to get to the real Monday night.