No Conference for Old Men: Houston & Big 12 College Hoops

Welcome to Episode #69 of the No Conference for Old Men Podcast. After the total destructions of WVU & ASU this past week, the Coogs are now 17-1, 5-0 in the Big 12, and tied with Arizona atop the conference standings.  Now a critical rematch w/ Texas Tech awaits in Lubbock.  5 games into Big 12 conference play, the 3 old men discuss whether "Chris Cenac has turned the corner for this Cougar team?". Please have a listen as the 3 Old Men break down the 2 wins over WVU & ASU, and discuss   Cenac's transformation as he bids to become a main cog for a Cougar March Madness run.  We then preview next week's Texas Tech rematch as well, so fans can be well informed headed into a big weekend. - No Conference for Old Men is available for free via Spotify / Apple Podcast / SoundCloud & the GoCoogs.com YouTube Page; we're also available via Dave Campbell's College Podcast Network as their only basketball-centric offering - Intro / Exit music: Ground Zero provided by FreeBeats.io - Please follow us on gocoogs.com/old-men/

Welcome to Episode #68 of the No Conference for Old Men Podcast. After shutting down in-state rivals Texas Tech & Baylor this past week, the Coogs are now 15-1, 3-0 in the Big 12, and ranked #10 in KenPom.  After some stellar team defense in the 2 wins, "Is Jojo Tugler now back to last season's DPOY-levels?"  2 more conference games await the team this week in West Virginia & Arizona State to further test this Cougars team. Please have a listen as the 3 Old Men break down the 2 wins over Texas Tech & Baylor, and discuss whether Jojo Tugler has regained his elite form from last season?  We then preview next week's 2 games as well, so fans can be well informed headed into the games. - No Conference for Old Men is available for free via Spotify / Apple Podcast / SoundCloud & the GoCoogs.com website; we're also available via the Republic of Football Podcast feed from the folks at Dave Campbell's Texas Football as their only basketball-centric offering - Intro / Exit music: Ground Zero provided by FreeBeats.io - Please follow us on gocoogs.com/old-men/

Welcome to Episode #67 of the No Conference for Old Men Podcast. Happy New Year everyone!  After 2 critical wins over Arkansas & Cincy (with a 3rd sloppy MTSU win sandwiched in between), this Cougar team is 13-1 & 1-0 in XII play.  It was a statement win on National TV vs Calipari's Arkansas team, where the Cougar offense was fast, flowing, & in peak form.  Followed were 2 more wins to end the year & open conference play.  The Coogs are now ranked #7 in the AP, with 2 in-state rivals on deck in Texas Tech & Baylor. Please have a listen as the 3 Old Men break down the 3 games played over the holidays, as well as provide some thoughts on the upcoming games vs Tech & Baylor. - No Conference for Old Men is available for free via Spotify / Apple Podcast / SoundCloud & the GoCoogs.com website; we're also available via the Republic of Football Podcast feed from the folks at Dave Campbell's Texas Football as their only basketball-centric offering - Intro / Exit music: Ground Zero provided by FreeBeats.io - Please follow us on gocoogs.com/old-men/

Welcome to Episode #66 of the No Conference for Old Men Podcast. Another dominant win, this time over a tricky New Orleans team.  But is this Houston Cougars squad truly equipped to win the XII for a 3rd straight season?  The Coogs are now 10-1, ranked #8 in the AP, and rounding into form on both sides of the ball with XII play right around the corner.  But a final big test awaits this weekend vs what could be the best team in the SEC in Arkansas. Please have a listen as the 3 Old Men break down the game vs UNO, as well as provide some thoughts on the upcoming game vs Calipari-led Arkansas.  We then revisit our predictions on the Big XII conference race, with all the key non-con games now behind us. - No Conference for Old Men is available for free via Spotify / Apple Podcast / SoundCloud & the GoCoogs.com website; we're also available via the Republic of Football Podcast feed from the folks at Dave Campbell's Texas Football as their only basketball-centric offering - Intro / Exit music: Ground Zero provided by FreeBeats.io - Please follow us on gocoogs.com/old-men/

Welcome to Episode #65 of the No Conference for Old Men Podcast. 2 convincing wins over FSU & Jackson St, but are the Houston Cougars a Final 4 / National Championship contender this season?  Our Coogs are now 9-1 and ranked #7 in the AP & #10 in the KenPom rankings.  But lots of Twitter/X postings this week around how every National Champion since 2004 has been in the Top 12 of the Week 6 AP Poll.  Does this Cougar Team fit the bill as bona fide contenders compared with the last 2 seasons? Please have a listen as the 3 Old Men break down the games from the past week, as well as provide some thoughts on next week's UNO game.  We then go deep with our perspectives on whether this year's iteration of the Cougars are national title contenders (and if not, can they can bridge the gap to get there)? - No Conference for Old Men is available for free via Spotify / Apple Podcast / SoundCloud & the GoCoogs.com website; we're also available via the Republic of Football Podcast feed from the folks at Dave Campbell's Texas Football as their only basketball-centric offering - Intro / Exit music: Ground Zero provided by FreeBeats.io - Please follow us on gocoogs.com/old-men/

Welcome to Episode #64 of the No Conference for Old Men Podcast. Like last season, it was a mixed bag for our Houston Cougars at the Players Era Festival.  With lots of "wisdom & learnings", as Coach Sampson described, for this year's Cougars team.  The team won 2 games over Syracuse & Notre Dame, but suffered a close loss in between to a tough Tennessee team looking for payback for last season's Elite 8 loss.  Our Cougars are now 7-1  for the season and now ranked #8 in both the AP & KenPom rankings.  But lots for the team to work on in this 10-day break before facing FSU at the Toyota Center. Please have a listen as the 3 Old Men break the games down from Vegas, as well as provide some thoughts on what to expect from a team adjustment perspective heading into this final stretch of non-conference games.  We also provide our perspectives on the 2 elite HS kids to sign with the Cougars during the early signing period.  Needless to say, another elite class w/ Diane & Alozie coming on board next season. - No Conference for Old Men is available for free via Spotify / Apple Podcast / SoundCloud & the GoCoogs.com website; we're also available via the Republic of Football Podcast feed from the folks at Dave Campbell's Texas Football as their only basketball-centric offering - Intro / Exit music: Ground Zero provided by FreeBeats.io - Please follow us on gocoogs.com/old-men/

Welcome to Episode #63 of the No Conference for Old Men Podcast. Our Houston Cougars win a big one over Auburn in Birmingham to go 4-0 for the season, in a game where all 3 freshmen balled out on the big stage!  But ultimately it was the Kingston Flemings Showcase, where he's staked an early claim as the alpha on this season's Cougars team.  "Feast Week" games await after playing Rider on Thu, as the team prepares to travel to Las Vegas to take on Syracuse, Tennessee, & a third team TBD. Please have a listen as the 3 Old Men weigh in and discuss what to look out for with this Houston Cougar team early in the season, as well as provide some quick-hit game summaries and previews. - No Conference for Old Men is available for free via Spotify / Apple Podcast / SoundCloud & the GoCoogs.com website; we're also available via the Republic of Football Podcast feed from the folks at Dave Campbell's Texas Football as their only basketball-centric offering - Intro / Exit music: Ground Zero provided by FreeBeats.io - Please follow us on gocoogs.com/old-men/

Welcome to Episode #62 of the No Conference for Old Men Podcast. Our Houston Cougars start the '25-'26 season 2-0 after beating Lehigh 75-57 to open the season, and then pull away from a pesky Towson late 65-48.  An Oakland team that stayed within 10 with Purdue is up next, and then the 1st big challenge of the season awaits in Auburn. Please have a listen as the 3 Old Men weigh in and discuss what to look out for with this Houston Cougar team early in the season, as well as provide some quick-hit game summaries and previews. - No Conference for Old Men is available for free via Spotify / Apple Podcast / SoundCloud & the GoCoogs.com website; we're also available via the Republic of Football Podcast feed from the folks at Dave Campbell's Texas Football as their only basketball-centric offering - Intro / Exit music: Ground Zero provided by FreeBeats.io - Please follow us on gocoogs.com/old-men/

Welcome to Episode #61 of the No Conference for Old Men Podcast. The 3 Old Men are back with our preseason previews of the Big 12 & what we call our "National Top 8+1 List" of national championship contenders for the season.  Have a listen as we talk through the teams fans need to be aware of as our Houston Cougars Men's Basketball team marches through their schedule during the '25-'26 season.   We highlight who we believe are the elite teams in the Big 12, as well as on the national scene, during this episode. - No Conference for Old Men is available for free via Spotify / Apple Podcast / SoundCloud & the GoCoogs.com website; we're also available via the Republic of Football Podcast feed from the folks at Dave Campbell's Texas Football as their only basketball-centric offering - Intro / Exit music:  Ground Zero provided by FreeBeats.io - Please follow us on https://gocoogs.com/old-men/

Welcome to a bonus installment in our "Coaches Series" (episode #60) on the No Conference for Old Men Podcast - our very 1st WBB-focused episode! All 3 Old Men had the privilege to sit down and chat with new WBB Head Coach Matthew Mitchell.  Coach Mitchell was high energy, articulate, & super generous with his time for almost a full hour to describe what he envisions for our WBB program.  We dive into coach's background, his journey into college coaching at Tennessee under the legendary Pat Summitt, & how he transformed Kentucky WBB into a juggernaut while he was head coach.  We bring a depth and insight into Coach's background / perspective that you won't find anywhere else! - No Conference for Old Men is available for free via Spotify / Apple Podcast / SoundCloud & the GoCoogs.com website; we're also available via the Republic of Football Podcast feed from the folks at Dave Campbell's Texas Football as their only basketball-centric offering - Intro / Exit music:  Ground Zero provided by FreeBeats.io - Please follow us on https://gocoogs.com/old-men/

Welcome to our Season 3 kick-off & Episode #59 of the No Conference for Old Men Podcast. The 3 Old Men bring back fellow GoCoogs.com contributor, Jayme Hollingsworth, to preview the Houston Cougars Men's Basketball team heading into the '25-'26 season.  Our Cougars are "running it back part 2", with 3 returning starters to go along with their 3 5-star freshmen incoming class.  The result being, what the three old men + Jayme expect be, a historic run for the program's 1st National Championship in Indy! Please have a listen as we provide detailed breakdowns of the team in advance of the season opener just around the corner.  The team is young, but LOADED like we've never seen before during this Sampson-era.  So fans should be prepared for another fun & exciting journey towards March Madness! - No Conference for Old Men is available for free via Spotify / Apple Podcast / SoundCloud & the GoCoogs.com website; we're also available via the Republic of Football Podcast feed from the folks at Dave Campbell's Texas Football as their only basketball-centric offering - Intro / Exit music:  Ground Zero provided by FreeBeats.io - Please follow us on https://gocoogs.com/old-men/

Welcome to the final installment in our offseason "Coaches Series" (episode #58) on the No Conference for Old Men Podcast. 2 of the 3 Old Men had the privilege to sit down and chat with top Assistant Coach Kellen Sampson (UH MBB Head Coach-in-Waiting).  Coach Sampson was extremely generous with his time, sitting down with us for almost a full hour in covering topics far & wide as we dive into coach's background, his journey as a player at OU playing for his dad & then transitioning into coaching as a Graduate Assistant at both IU & OU.  Then getting his first break as a fulltime Assistant Coach at Stephen F Austin, moving on to App St, & then finally rejoining his dad's staff at UH where they've transformed the program side-by-side.  We bring a depth and insight into Coach's background / perspective that you won't find anywhere else! - No Conference for Old Men is available for free via Spotify / Apple Podcast / SoundCloud & the GoCoogs.com website; we're also available via the Republic of Football Podcast feed from the folks at Dave Campbell's Texas Football as their only basketball-centric offering - Intro / Exit music:  Ground Zero provided by FreeBeats.io - Please follow us on https://gocoogs.com/old-men/

Welcome to the 4th in our offseason "Coaches Series" (episode #57) on the No Conference for Old Men Podcast. 2 of the 3 Old Men had the privilege to sit down and chat with Coach Hollis Price (UH MBB Assistant Coach / Special Assistant to the Head Coach).  We cover things far & wide as we dive into coach's background, his journey as a player at OU & then playing professionally across multiple European leagues, how he transitioned into coaching w/ the NBA Developmental League, and then finally joining UH on Coach Sampson's staff.  We bring a depth and insight into Coach's background / perspective that you won't find anywhere else! - No Conference for Old Men is available for free via Spotify / Apple Podcast / SoundCloud & the GoCoogs.com website; we're also available via the Republic of Football Podcast feed from the folks at Dave Campbell's Texas Football as their only basketball-centric offering - Intro / Exit music:  Ground Zero provided by FreeBeats.io - Please follow us on https://gocoogs.com/old-men/

Welcome to the 3rd in our offseason "Coaches Series" (episode #56) on the No Conference for Old Men Podcast. The 3 Old Men had the privilege to sit down and chat with Coach Mike Ekanem (UH MBB Assistant Coach).  We cover things far & wide as we dive into coach's background, his journey as a player at Texas Lutheran & then playing professionally in Europe, how he transitioned into coaching w/ the San Antonio Spurs organization, and then finally joining UH on Coach Sampson's staff.  We bring a depth and insight into Coach's background / perspective that you won't find anywhere else! - No Conference for Old Men is available for free via Spotify / Apple Podcast / SoundCloud & the GoCoogs.com website; we're also available via the Republic of Football Podcast feed from the folks at Dave Campbell's Texas Football as their only basketball-centric offering - Intro / Exit music:  Ground Zero provided by FreeBeats.io - Please follow us on https://gocoogs.com/old-men/

Welcome to the 2nd in our offseason "Coaches Series" (episode #55) on the No Conference for Old Men Podcast. The 3 Old Men had the privilege to sit down and chat with Coach Anthony Goldwire (UH MBB Assistant Coach & former Cougar Great).  We cover things far & wide as we dive into coach's background, his journey as a player at UH during the Foster era & then playing professionally in the NBA & Europe, and how he transitioned into coaching w/ the Milwaukee Bucks and then back to UH on Coach Sampson's staff.  We bring a depth and insight into Coach's background / perspective that you won't find anywhere else! - No Conference for Old Men is available for free via Spotify / Apple Podcast / SoundCloud & the GoCoogs.com website; we're also available via the Republic of Football Podcast feed from the folks at Dave Campbell's Texas Football as their only basketball-centric offering - Intro / Exit music:  Ground Zero provided by FreeBeats.io - Please follow us on https://gocoogs.com/old-men/

Welcome to the 1st episode (#54) in our offseason "Coaches Series" on the No Conference for Old Men Podcast. The 3 Old Men had the privilege to sit down and chat with Coach KC Beard (UH MBB Assistant Coach).  We cover things far & wide as we dive into coach's background, his journey into coaching through the Video Coordinator path, and how his role has evolved over the 10+ years on the UH staff.  We bring a depth and insight into Coach's background / perspective that you won't find anywhere else! - No Conference for Old Men is available for free via Spotify / Apple Podcast / SoundCloud & the GoCoogs.com website; we're also available via the Republic of Football Podcast feed from the folks at Dave Campbell's Texas Football as their only basketball-centric offering - Intro / Exit music:  Ground Zero provided by FreeBeats.io - Please follow us on https://gocoogs.com/old-men/

Welcome to another "Special Edition" offseason Episode (#53) of the No Conference for Old Men Podcast. 2 of the 3 Old Men had the privilege to sit down and chat with Alvin Franklin (Sr Assoc Athletics Director / Executive Director of Development at the University of Houston).  The landscape in college athletics has shifted from under our feet with the House Settlement finalizing on June 6th, and fans & listeners have questions through all the confusion that has ensued.  So we're here with Alvin to talk all things NIL, Revenue Sharing, &  Deloitte-led Clearinghouse related as it impacts UH.  Questions submitted went far and wide, so hopefully we hit the mark in clarifying some questions for folks (as well as dispelling some of the myths that are out there). - No Conference for Old Men is available for free via Spotify / Apple Podcast / SoundCloud & the GoCoogs.com website; we're also available via the Republic of Football Podcast feed from the folks at Dave Campbell's Texas Football as their only basketball-centric offering - Intro / Exit music:  Ground Zero provided by FreeBeats.io - Please follow us on https://gocoogs.com/old-men/

Welcome to Episode #52 of the No Conference for Old Men Podcast. This is our 1st offseason episode of season 2, and just like last season we'll be discussing the big roster decisions made after the Portal season opened & the pre-NBA Draft workouts completed.  The coaching staff & the LinkingCoogs NIL Collective stepped up yet again, w/ their creative "#WideAwake" campaign facilitating 3 of our 5 starters returning next season to make yet another run at that elusive National Championship!  Add 3 elite 5* freshmen into the pot, and we have the potential recipe for a team that could finish the job next year. So we'll begin this episode by making a few comments on the lone add from the Portal (Kalifa Sakho), then quickly move towards providing perspectives on how the team faired from a roster building perspective during Portal Season, and then finish by providing another "way too early" forecast of how we see the line-ups & rotations breaking down going into next season. - No Conference for Old Men is available for free via Spotify / Apple Podcast / SoundCloud & the GoCoogs.com website; we're also available via the Republic of Football Podcast feed from the folks at Dave Campbell's Texas Football as their only basketball-centric offering - Intro / Exit music:  Ground Zero provided by FreeBeats.io - Please follow us on https://gocoogs.com/old-men/

Welcome to Episode #51 of the No Conference for Old Men Podcast. "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times" as our Houston Cougars ended the season 35-5.  After an epic comeback win to beat Duke 70-67 in the semis (inflicting a bit of revenge for last season), it all came crashing down in a last minute 65-63 loss to Florida in the championship game where our Cougars had led by 12 early in the 2nd half.  We were all hoping for a deserving "storybook" ending that would result in our 1st National Championship, but this is the beauty & cruelty of sport.  It cannot be scripted like a movie.  So the 3 old men provide summaries of the 2 final games in what was a historic season for our Cougars.  And then look forward to what could be another Championship run next season, with 3 5 star freshmen joining the team to pair with Emmanuel Sharp & Jojo Tugler. Please have a listen as the 3 Old Men summarize the wonderful season & look forward to next year. - No Conference for Old Men is available for free via Spotify / Apple Podcast / SoundCloud & the GoCoogs.com website; we're also available via the Republic of Football Podcast feed from the folks at Dave Campbell's Texas Football as their only basketball-centric offering - Intro / Exit music: Ground Zero provided by FreeBeats.io - Please follow us on gocoogs.com/old-men/

Welcome to Episode #50 of the No Conference for Old Men Podcast. Our Houston Cougars are now 34-4 & back in the Final 4 for a 7th time (tied for 10th all-time across all programs)!  It took an exquisitely executed, last second BLOB play against Purdue, followed by a blasting of Tennessee by 19 points in the Elite 8 to get there.  But now it's on to the Final 4, where we reap the benefits of being able to make this final push in our backyard of San Antonio TX!  The 3 Old Men provide a recap of the Sweet 16 & Elite 8 games, and break down the upcoming Duke game (as well as the potential looming Auburn/Florida game for the National Championship). Please have a listen as the 3 Old Men weigh in & discuss the March Madness results, as well as welcome the huge new hire for Houston WBB in Coach Matthew Mitchell. - No Conference for Old Men is available for free via Spotify / Apple Podcast / SoundCloud & the GoCoogs.com website; we're also available via the Republic of Football Podcast feed from the folks at Dave Campbell's Texas Football as their only basketball-centric offering - Intro / Exit music: Ground Zero provided by FreeBeats.io - Please follow us on gocoogs.com/old-men/