Big reunion
UH will honor the "Game of the Century" at basketball gala
Jay Frank
Oct 29, 2017, 9:40 am
At the annual basketball gala and fundraiser at the University of Houston on Friday, the focus not only will be on the future - the Cougars' upcoming season - but also on something that happened nearly 50 years ago.
That's going back, back, back.
UH coach Kelvin Sampson was only 12.
Jim Nantz, emcee of the UH event, was even younger, 8.
Senior guard and scoring leader Rob Gray wouldn't be born for more than 25 years.
Such was the significance of what has come be known as the Game of the Century, the Jan. 20, 1968, matchup between No. 1 ranked UCLA and No. 2 UH in the Astrodome.
That the Cougars won 71-69 behind Elvin Hayes' 39 points, ending UCLA's 47-game winning streak, is almost secondary in 2017. The game is credited with helping to make college basketball what it is today. It was the first game shown on nationwide, primetime TV, and the first to be played in a stadium rather than an arena.
As a young fan growing up in North Carolina - and the son of a longtime and heralded high school basketball coach - Sampson didn't just watch the game, he remembers "everything about it...It was a phenomenon. Every time I get around Elvin, I feel like I need to ask for his autograph."
Sampson, in his fourth season at UH, thinks it's important that his players know about the school's basketball history, and its place in the development of college basketball nationally. They will be at the event next week, along with Hayes, Don Chaney and several other members of the '67-68 team.
"We're in that family now," Sampson said. "We're caretakers of the (UH basketball) program. It was through the hard work and blood, sweat and tears of those who were here before us that we've gotten to this point. We all have a common bond. The (current) players know that."
The Cougars, 21-11 overall and 12-6 in the American Athletic Conference last season, open at home on Nov. 10 against McNeese State. "Home" this year, while Hofheinz Pavilion is being renovated, is at H&PE Arena at Texas Southern. It's a fun place to watch a game, by the way.
During the UH event, a production crew - the same one involved in ESPN's nicely done 30 for 30 on Phi Slama Jama last year - will be shooting for a documentary to air in January. (Those who attend the event will gain admission to a private viewing of the completed documentary.)
The show will include a panel discussion on the impact of the game, featuring Hayes, Chaney, CBS analyst Seth Davis, and Dick Enberg, who called the telecast. No doubt those who have seen footage of The Game of the Century, or who will watch the documentary next year, will be struck by the long distance between the crowd and the court: The court was plopped right onto the middle of the round field.
A 15-year-old from a small town in Oklahoma who was new to the city and loved basketball, I thought I died and went to Hoops Heaven when I got tickets to the game.
Along with four friends who drove down from my hometown, we sat at halfcourt - which happened to be at the 50-yard-line. We felt like we were a mile away, the cheering was sort of muffled because of the size of the Dome, and we had to use binoculars the whole time.
But we were there and, as it turned out, a part of history. That was good enough for us.
For more information on the fundraiser, or to make a reservation, call 713-743-0248.
Jay Frank, a former media columnist for the Houston Chronicle and the Houston Post, is a freelance writer.
CJ Stroud put a lot of Texans fans at ease when he showed up to mandatory minicamp on Tuesday and participated in throwing drills. Many were concerned that Stroud might have received surgery in the offseason, and that was keeping him from throwing at voluntary OTAs last week. But Stroud put that narrative to bed, denying any offseason surgery.
Stroud told the media that he's been working on getting his body right this offseason, focusing on, among other things, lowering his body fat, improving his hip flexibility, and gaining speed.
CJ implied that the extra training this offseason might have been a factor in the soreness that kept him from throwing last week, but that should be expected. Pushing your body can sometimes lead to soreness, but it's not anything to be worried about.
He also said he had been throwing prior to minicamp on Tuesday, but this is the first time the media has been around to witness it.
Thoughts on the new system
CJ had positive things to say about the Texans' new OC Nick Caley. He pointed out that he cares more about the "person" than the system. He likes the energy from his new OC, even saying Caley calls him frequently, but doesn't always answer because Caley is “always yelling.”
Stroud also confirmed that the new offense allows him to have more control at the line of scrimmage, something we heard he was wanting last season.
Caley and CJ have watched old videos from 2003 and 2004 of Tom Brady working with Josh McDaniels. They believe this will help Stroud learn how to take “ownership” of the protections.
You can watch the full interview in the video below.
So what else happened at mandatory minicamp?
Newly signed running back Nick Chubb participated in drills. Head coach DeMeco Ryans credited GM Nick Caserio with signing the four-time Pro Bowler.
Nick Chubb takes the handoff in first #Texans practice @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/P4X9NGXB4B
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) June 10, 2025
How did the receivers look?
The big play of the day came from 2nd round receiver Jayden Higgins, who caught this pass from Stroud against Kamari Lassister. This looks like a connection the Texans will count on for years to come.
🎯🎯🎯 pic.twitter.com/4wLhMtduBd
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) June 10, 2025
3rd rounder Jaylin Noel was in attendance but didn't participate.
Nico Collins and Stroud appear to be in midseason form.
Nico Collins showin’ ‘em how it’s done. #MiniCamp #Texans pic.twitter.com/Ir4qrGsL15
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) June 10, 2025
Anything new with the offensive line?
Not really. The Texans lineup up from left to right with Cam Robinson, Laken Tomlinson, Jake Andrews, Tytus Howard, and Blake Fisher. Later on, rookie Aireontae Ersery got some work in at left tackle.
Current #Texans O-Line combination protecting Stroud: LT Airenontae Ersery, LG Laken Tomlinson, C Jake Andrews, RG Tytus Howard, RT Blake Fisher.
— Jonathan M Alexander (@jonmalexander) June 10, 2025
The Texans will wrap up minicamp Wednesday, and we'll keep you in the loop with any further developments.