Head coach Kelvin Sampson has the Cougars 9-0 and off to their best start since 1970.

Compared to the $400 million his company sunk into the glitzy Post Oak Hotel in Houston’s Galleria area, Landry’s magnate Tilman Fertitta is getting a relative bargain for his $20 million investment in the University of Houston’s revamped basketball arena.

Houston did not lose any starters from a squad which set program highs in 3-pointers made (247) and steals (11.1 per game) en route to a 20-12 (9-7 AAC) record and WNIT appearance. Serithia Hawkins, and All-AAC performers Jasmyne Harris and Angela Harris, are part of a team which returns 96.9 percent of its scoring.

Houston came within a last-second 3-pointer of reaching the Sweet 16. Despite the setback, the Cougars enjoyed a remarkable 2017-18, winning their first NCAA Tournament game since 1984 and finishing No 21 in the final AP poll.