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The Houston Cougars basketball team is gearing up for the regular season, which tips off on Nov. 2 at Fertitta Center against La Salle. But before that, they are in the midst of exhibition play. On Sunday afternoon, the No. 10-ranked Cougars traveled to Grand Rapids, Michigan, to face the No. 16 Michigan Wolverines in an exhibition game. While the final score is not the main focus, Houston emerged victorious with an 83-66 win, outscoring Michigan by 10 points in the first half.
The Wolverines, the defending national champions, are now led by new head coach Mike Boynton Jr., who has been an assistant with the program since 2024. This is a vastly different team, and exhibitions provide coaches with an opportunity to experiment and players with a chance to gain valuable game experience. For Houston, this game was particularly important as they integrate four new starters and a revamped bench.
The Cougars had already played one exhibition game on Oct. 15 at home against Montana Tech, winning 110-53, and had a scrimmage against Ole Miss before that. The matchup against Michigan provided a much stiffer test, and Houston came away with several positives.
Dedan Thomas Jr. Shines at Point Guard
Houston's new point guard, senior transfer Dedan Thomas Jr., delivered an impressive performance. He led all scorers with 25 points, adding seven assists, three rebounds, and two steals while committing just two turnovers. Thomas shot 57 percent (8-of-14) from the field and 9-of-11 from the free-throw line. He consistently turned defense into offense and attacked the basket, also displaying a nice touch in the paint and mid-range. That versatility, combined with his playmaking ability, could be a major asset for the Cougars this season.
Homecoming for Delrecco Gillespie
Senior forward Delrecco Gillespie, a key newcomer expected to play a significant role alongside senior Joseph Tugler, had a homecoming of sorts. Gillespie hails from Benton Harbor, Michigan, about 80 miles from Grand Rapids. He finished with 16 points, six rebounds, and one block, including a made 3-pointer. "It's such a blessing to come down to Michigan and have a homecoming against such a great Michigan team," Gillespie said. "My grandmother has never seen me play college basketball in person, so I was happy for that and a bunch of my family was happy to see me again in a Houston uniform."
Typical Houston Basketball
The Cougars excelled on the glass, winning the rebounding battle 42-30, with junior guard Mercy Miller grabbing six boards. Houston also dominated in the paint, outscoring Michigan 26-14. Known for their physical style, the Cougars embodied that identity throughout the game.
Maanav Gupta is a staff writer for Houston Cougars on SI. He graduated from the University of Houston in the summer of 2025 with a bachelor's in journalism and a minor in Spanish. Gupta spent three years at the student newspaper, The Daily Cougar, and covered the 2025 Final Four and National Championship as Houston beat writer for College Basketball Review. He also runs his own YouTube channel, Maanavs Sports Talk, where he has interviewed professional athletes and broadcasters such as Jim Nantz, Jose Altuve, J.J. Watt, Rich Eisen, and Alperen Sengun. Gupta was also a contributor to the Houston athletic program as a student. You can find him on X, Instagram, and TikTok @MGSportsTalk.