Depth on display as Cougars cruise past New Orleans 99-57

No. 7 Houston men’s basketball recorded its highest point total of the season Saturday afternoon, finishing one point shy of the century mark, defeating New Orleans 99-57 at Fertitta Center.

Houston also recorded only six turnovers, to New Orleans’ 21.

Ten of the Cougars’ 23 assists belonged to senior guard Milos Uzan, who finished the night without a single turnover.

Coach Kelvin Sampson noted in Saturday’s press conference the importance of Uzan and freshman guard Kingston Flemings’ playmaking, and “guys that can make baskets, like these two guys up here that are flanking me.”

Those two made more baskets on Saturday than they ever had in their careers.

In what was a family reunion with his father, Percy Miller, known as Master P, the president of basketball operations at New Orleans and assistant coach, sophomore guard Mercy Miller finished with a career-high 15 points, while going 5-for-5 from the floor and 4-of-4 at the free throw line.

“Just being able to see family, it definitely gives you another burst of energy, but I’m trying to keep building and just keep stacking good days,” Miller said.

Miller got off to a swift start in the first half off Houston’s bench, nailing a midrange jumpshot, following it up soon after with a steal and a two-handed dunk on the other end of the floor. 

“Talking to my dad, we didn’t talk much about (the game) before, but I told him a couple of things, we were trash-talking a little bit, but we just kept it cordial and about family, and we got out here and competed,” Miller said.

The family Miller had at the game didn’t end with just his father.

Following the post-game press conference, he was greeted by others, including his mother, Sonya Miller, who extended her arms and hugged him.

“Congratulations, momma loves you, so much,” she said. “You did so good.”

Miller and the bench totaled 48 points, with him and redshirt freshman forward Chase McCarty, who also totaled a career-high 15, leading the way.

“When I get lost in my rebounding, that’s when I’m gonna find my shot. I feel like I’ve just been trying to focus on that, and not make as many mistakes on defense, I feel like that’s carried me this far,” McCarty said.

McCarty finished with six rebounds, including three on the offensive glass, to follow up a career-high seven rebounds against Jackson State.

Graduate guard Ramon Walker Jr. led all Houston reserves in the first half with eight points, shooting 3-for-3 from the floor and 2-for-2 on 3-pointers. 

“I would say Ramon, Isiah, Chase and Mercy, those four guys are a luxury in some ways because all four of them are really good players,” Sampson said. “And all four of them have accepted their role of coming off the bench.”

Houston, which is now 10-1, will return to action on Saturday, Dec. 20, when it faces No. 17 Arkansas in a neutral-site matchup at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.