Pawd Slama Jama - A University of Houston Athletics Podcast

On this episode of Pawd Slama Jama, host Andy Yanez (@AYanez_5) is joined by guest host Kris Gardner (@TheHRReview) of the Houston Roundball Review to discuss Big 12 Football Media Day 1 takeaways and University of Houston men’s basketball’s five-star recruit Jarace Walker.

The Big 12 Conference, which Houston will join on July 1, 2023, hosted Day 1 of its football media on July 13. During the availabilities, incoming commissioner Brett Yormark, who is slated to take over at the position on Aug. 1, 2022; was introduced to Big 12 media. He talked about the conference potentially pursuing expansion from Pac 12 schools and others. He also talked about future TV right deals for the conference; potential deals with Oklahoma and Texas to leave the conference early; and more!

Then, Chris Baldwin of PaperCity Magazine spoke with Jarace Walker and talked about who he models his game after in the NBA as well as what he is looking forward to with the Cougars this upcoming season. Yanez and Gardner break down their thoughts on Walker’s comments and discuss potential starting lineups for the Cougars in the 2022-23 season.

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On this episode of Pawd Slama Jama, hosts Andy Yanez (@AYanez_5) and Da’Yon Dunlap (@DayonDunlap) talk about the expectations for the University of Houston football duo of QB Clayton Tune and WR Nathaniel ‘Tank’ Dell, the new Big 12 Commissioner; and news from the UH men’s basketball team.

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine revealed its 2022 Preseason All-Texas College teams on June 28, which included a total of seven Houston Cougars. Two of them were Tune and Dell, who joined fellow Coogs sophomore offensive lineman Patrick Paul and senior defensive back Gervarrius Owens on the publication’s Preseason All-Texas team for 2022.

Then, Yanez and Dunlap break down the official news of the Big 12’s new commissioner Brett Yormark, who comes from a nontraditional background, with no college athletics experience, but plenty of expertise in working in the professional sports and media world. Lastly, the two talk about the Houston men’s basketball team’s nonconference schedule and the Coogs named to the NBA Summer League team.

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On this episode of Pawd Slama Jama, hosts Andy Yanez (@AYanez_5) and Da’Yon Dunlap (@DayonDunlap) break down the new fundraising program launched by the University of Houston Athletics Department called HOUSTON RISE.

The UH athletics department is seeking to raise the funds for the new $75 million Football Development Center, which is expected to be completed by winter 2024. Additionally, the funds raised by the fundraiser will help with improvements to the existing Guy V. Lewis Development Facility used by both the men’s and women’s basketball teams and the Athletics-Alumni Center used by the Olympic sports teams.

The two hosts also talk about the latest roster additions made by the Houston Cougars women’s basketball team in Guard Kierra Sanderlin from Rutgers University and Forward Avalon Miller from Gulf Coast State College.

To watch the full HOUSTON RISE launch video by Houston Athletics, check out https://youtu.be/WQdgZXLq7DA

Pawd Slama Jama intro made by @Dannygleal.

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On this episode of Pawd Slama Jama, hosts Andy Yanez (@AYanez_5) and Da’Yon Dunlap (@DayonDunlap) are joined by both hosts of the Scott & Holman Pawdcast (@SHPawdcast) Sam and Dustin. What happened when the mega powers of UH podcasting collided? They talked about UH athletics of course.

The panel discussed the buyout agreement with the American Athletic Conference and how it is beneficial for Houston and the other schools leaving the conference. They also talked about how potentially big a game could be against Texas on the football field and other implications!

Then the panel dived into the recent report from The Athletic, in which Kelvin Sampson spoke to CJ Moore and talked about how they are looking to see Marcus Sasser grow as a pick and roll playmaker; get Tramon Mark to be a well-rounded decision-maker; the talent they have already seen from incoming freshman recruit Jarace Walker.

Lastly, the four talked about expectations for the upcoming Houston Football season. Is there any glimmer of hope the Cougars can make the College Football Playoff? Are the two nonconference games against Texas Tech and Kansas statement games before the move to the Big 12; how has Dana Holgorsen navigated the rebuild in his three seasons. The panel also talks about expectations for Ron Hughey and the UH women’s basketball.

Pawd Slama Jama intro made by @Dannygleal.

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On this episode of Pawd Slama Jama, hosts Andy Yanez (@AYanez_5) and Da’Yon Dunlap (@DayonDunlap) debate about whether the Houston Cougars Football team is on pace to follow the Cincinnati Bearcats’ footsteps and reach the College Football Playoff. The two also discuss what the best Big 12 rivalries will be for Houston once it joins the New Big 12.

Houston head coach Dana Holgorsen spoke to Pro Football Focus on a Twitter Space on Monday, June 6 and one of the quotes he gave was “we’re on track to do what Cincinnati did.”

Jon Rothstein wrote an article for Fan Duel, in which he reported the Big 12 is aiming for the conference to still run with 18 conference games during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons for men’s basketball while they are a 14-team conference with the additions of Houston, UCF, Cincinnati and BYU. He says the conference is prioritizing making sure Houston and UCF play twice a season.

Pawd Slama Jama intro made by @Dannygleal.

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On this episode of Pawd Slama Jama, hosts Andy Yanez (@AYanez_5) and Da’Yon Dunlap (@DayonDunlap) are talking all things Marcus Sasser following his announcement to return to the Cougars for the 2022-23 season.

The two broke down the comments Sasser gave to reporters about returning to Houston on June 1. Some of Sasser’s answers include his thought process throughout the ongoing NBA Draft proceedings; his goal with the Cougars to win a national championship in 2023; playing Houston’s new additions; and more!

Then, Yanez and Dunlap discuss what the 2022-23 Houston roster could look like, with presumably Sasser and guard Jamal Shead the starting backcourt and Tramon Mark at the 3. The two talk about where Houston could have weak points, potential concerns as well as what they will excel in, such as the depth the roster will have.

Lastly, the two talk about the latest commits to Houston, including Texas Tech transfer Mylik Wilson, and class of 2023 commit Joseph “JoJo” Tugler. And the pair walk it off with a sound bite from Sasser’s availability with reporters.

If you haven’t done so yet, check out our previous episode: What drew Kordelius Jefferson to the Houston Cougars? A conversation with UH’s class of 2023 commit! (https://youtu.be/NWepvwTfNwM)

Pawd Slama Jama intro made by @Dannygleal.

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On this episode of Pawd Slama Jama, hosts Andy Yanez (@AYanez_5) and Da’Yon Dunlap (@DayonDunlap) are joined by Kordelius Jefferson (@korrdel), the first recruit to commit to the University of Houston men’s basketball team for the class of 2023.

The trio talked about Jefferson’s early years in Bouge Chitto, Mississippi. The three sports he played growing up: football, baseball and ultimately basketball. Jefferson’s favorite food from the south, and his transition to Fort Worth, TX. Jefferson talked about his style of play and what he is looking forward to in his senior season of high school.

Then the trio talked about what drew Jefferson to the Houston Cougars. Jefferson talked about how choosing a program with a family atmosphere was important to him. He talked about the current Houston Cougars players that helped guide him during his visit; the messages shared by the UH coaching staff and what has stood out to him about the program from afar.

Jefferson talked about his goals for the future, and he mentioned how a knee injury in the third grade caught up to him in eighth grade. Lastly, he said he is ready to put a full offseason together ahead of his high school senior season and gives Houston fans a message for 2023.

Pawd Slama Jama intro made by @Dannygleal.

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Hosts Andy Yanez (@AYanez_5) and Da’Yon Dunlap (@DayonDunlap) talk about Marcus Sasser and the past few days in the NBA G League Elite Camp that have helped raise his stock as he continues his journey in the NBA Draft process. Sasser received an official invite to join the NBA Draft Combine on May 17. He has until June 1 to make a decision on returning to the Cougars for his fourth year with the men’s basketball program.

Both the Houston Cougars men’s and women’s basketball teams saw new faces commit to their programs within the past week. The women’s team added transfers Logyn McNeil and De'Myla Brown while the men’s basketball team had four-star recruit Kordel “KJ” Jefferson from Arlington, TX announce his commitment to the Cougars for the 2023-24 season.

Lastly, the pair looked back at the 2021 season for the Houston Cougars Football team and ranked their top moments of the year respectively. From the Houston Cougars defeating Auburn to Marcus Jones and the team defeating then-ranked SMU with little time remaining. Which made the cut?

Pawd Slama Jama intro made by @Dannygleal.

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Hosts Andy Yanez (@AYanez_5) and Da’Yon Dunlap (@DayonDunlap) break down the latest Houston Cougars to join the NFL, including the three draft picks in Logan Hall, Marcus Jones and Damarion Williams and four undrafted free agents. Which one will have the biggest impact in the NFL and who are our hosts excited to see at the next level.

Then, the two hosts talk about the ongoing Big 12 meetings in Scottsdale, Arizona; what Yanez and Dunlap are most excited about the move to the Big 12. Is a settlement to leave the conference early on the horizon? The duo also talks about what would be better for the Big 12 once Houston joins, divisions or no divisions?

Lastly, the two debate a question posed by one of our Pawd Slama Jama Twitter followers: which is more likely in 2022-23: Houston football reaches a New Year's Six Bowl, or the UH men’s basketball reaching the National Championship game?

Pawd Slama Jama intro made by @Dannygleal.

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Hosts Andy Yanez (@AYanez_5) and Aqib Gazi (@AqibMGazi) are joined by guest Mikhail McLean (@KhailMcLean), who spent over 10 years in the University of Houston men’s basketball program from 2010 to 2021 as a player and transitioning to the coaching side of things.

McLean talked about what it was like to watch the Cougars’ success from a distance as he is now an assistant coach for Lamar University. McLean talked about what made him commit to Houston as a player back in 2010; what it was like to play under then-head coach James Dickey and the transition to coach Kelvin Sampson. He talked about Sampson’s first message when he took over the program and how he made the student-athletes feel like they were going to win every game beginning in the 2014-15 season.

McLean also talked about what made him get into coaching following his collegiate career. The lessons he learned under the Houston coaching staff. What it was like to break the NCAA Tournament drought in 2018 and then make the Sweet 16 in 2019. He also talked about Sampson’s recruiting style and evaluations. Lastly, McLean talked about what his ultimate goal is in the coaching ranks.

Pawd Slama Jama intro made by @Dannygleal.

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