D1Baseball Ranks Houston Among Top Programs
9/22/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
HOUSTON - Houston has the No. 29 program in the current era of college baseball and the No. 1 program in the American Athletic Conference, according to D1Baseball's Top 100 Programs in the nation.
D1Baseball editors Aaron Fitt and Kendall Rogers determined the list by taking into consideration recent history, coaching staff quality, facilities, scholarship/financial aid situation, conference dynamics and recruiting and player development proficiency.
The Cougars, led by sixth-year Head Coach Todd Whitting, were ranked among the nation's elite after its recent success, which featured back-to-back 40+ win seasons, an NCAA Super Regional appearance and an NCAA Regional hosting gig at Cougar Field.
Houston was the top American Athletic Conference team among the 100 ranked, while five other schools in the league made the list, ranking the conference fifth-best among all leagues in the nation.
The state of Texas had nine total teams for second-most behind California's 13.
Of the 100 teams ranked among the nation's best, Houston will face 14 programs during the 2016 season in TCU (7), Arkansas (12), Texas A&M (14), Texas (15), Rice (20), Alabama (28), Texas Tech (38), East Carolina (51), Baylor (59), UConn (60), UCF (61), USF (63), Tulane (64) and Sam Houston State (74).
WHAT D1BASEBALL HAD TO SAY …
Very similar to Alabama, there was a time when the Cougars really had it rolling under head coach Rayner Noble. But Noble was unable to establish long-term consistency and the Cougars decided to hire then TCU assistant Todd Whitting. Whitting and his staff have put UH back on the map, making a super regional appearance in 2014 before hosting an NCAA regional last season. The Cougars have more renovations on the way and Whitting is still aiming for a CWS berth, but this program undoubtedly is in very good hands.
2016 SCHEDULE QUICK HITS
Highlighted by 32 home games, 38 in the city of Houston, a neutral site matchup against the University of Texas, home contests against Texas A&M and Baylor and three first-time opponents, Houston Baseball and head coach Todd Whitting have unveiled an exciting 2016 schedule.
For the 10th consecutive season, Houston will open its slate at Cougar Field. In the five seasons under Whitting, Houston has accumulated a winning record of 14-1 in those season-opening series, which includes four weekend sweeps.
"We are excited about the challenges that are ahead during the 2016 season. Not only will we compete in the American Athletic Conference, which is one of the toughest leagues in the nation (#3 RPI in 2015), but we will once again play an aggressive schedule against non-conference opponents," Whitting, who will begin his sixth season at the helm said. "With 20 games against 2015 NCAA Regional teams, we must diligently prepare for success during this offseason. We are excited to build off back-to-back 40+ win seasons against some of the best competition in the country."
Houston will open the season hosting the Big East's Villanova Feb. 19-21. The Cougars and Wildcats will meet for the first time in the program's history.
OUR CITY
• 32 home games; 38 in the city of Houston
• First 12 games of the season will be played in the city of Houston
• 21 of the first 25 games will be played in the city of Houston
• 18 of the first 25 games will be played at Cougar Field
OPENING WEEKEND
• Houston will host Opening Weekend for the 10th consecutive season
• Cougars are 14-1 all-time during Opening Weekend under Todd Whitting
• Cougars have swept four of the five Opening Weekend series under Whitting
COLLEGE CLASSIC
• Houston to make 16th straight appearance in Houston College Classic at Minute Maid Park
• Cougars to face Texas Tech, Arkansas and TCU
• Cougars own a 20-25 all-time record in tournament; has earned seven wins over Top 30 teams
FIRST-TIME OPPONENTS
• Houston has three first-time opponents on the schedule: Villanova, Grand Canyon, George Washington
RICE & TEXAS IN SUGAR LAND, TEXAS AT CONSTELLATION FIELD
• Houston will meet both Texas (April 12) and Rice (May 17) for non-conference, midweek games at Sugar Land's Constellation Field.
NCAA TOURNAMENT COMPETITION
• 20 games this season will be played against an NCAA-tournament team from 2015
• Arkansas, TCU, Texas Southern, Rice, Texas A&M, East Carolina, Texas, USF, Tulane
A LOOK AT 2015
Houston is coming off its second straight 40-win season in 2015 as it captured its first American Athletic Conference regular-season title, first league title since 2002 and eighth in program history after recording a 16-8 mark among the toughest conference in the nation.
The Cougars, led by head coach Todd Whitting, who was named the ABCA South Central Regional Coach of the Year, notched its second straight 40-win season, finishing with a 43-20 record and ranked No. 18 in the nation.
With its impressive regular-season play, Houston was awarded an NCAA Regional hosting bid and the No. 1 seed at Cougar Field - the first time hosting since 2000 and just the third time ever in program history.
Houston finished the year with a 26-8 mark at home, tallying the most home wins ever, while earning five weekend sweeps and eight shutouts on the season - a number that ranks among the nation's Top 10. Houston went on to capture its second straight Silver Glove series - the first time since trophy was established in 1998.
Cougar Field saw a program-record 1,832 fans on average in 2015.
The Cougars were highlighted by sophomore Andrew Lantrip's Third Team All-America honor by Perfect Game and freshman Seth Romero, who led the league with a 1.94 ERA and was tabbed a Freshman All-American and the American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year.
Three Cougars were named to the All-Region Team (Survance, Lantrip, Iriart) and seven Cougars earned All-Conference honors with Kyle Survance leading the way as a First Team selection.
Eight Cougars were selected in the 2015 MLB First-Year Player Draft (Lemoine, Weigel, Survance, Iriart, Dowdy, Cobb, Fulmer, Rice) - the most since 11 in 2000.
Houston Baseball, once again, excelled in the classroom - posting a program-record 3.09 cumulative GPA and the fourth-highest spring GPA at 2.97 as 24 student-athletes posted a 3.0 GPA or better.
TICKETS
Houston Baseball season ticket renewals and online purchases will be available soon. Check back at UHCougars.com and/or call the Houston Athletics Ticket Office at (713) GO-COOGS.
STAY CONNECTED
Stay up to date with all Houston Baseball news and highlights by following us on Twitter @UHCougarBB or on Facebook at /HoustonCougarBaseball. Fans can also follow head coach Todd Whitting @toddwhitting on Twitter.
