Waiting in the Wings: UCF, Houston win, SMU loses to Oklahoma State

I figured I might report on your future schools in C-USA off and on to keep you apprised of what they are doing. First, basketball.

Houston beat North Carolina A&T, 71-67, on Wednesday night. Their scoring was fairly evenly-distributed, with Darian Thibodeaux and Jonathan Simmons each scoring 13, and Joseph Young scoring 12 off the bench. It was very back-and-forth all game long, and Houston only having 8 playing probably contributed to that. They close their OOC schedule tonight hosting Texas State. They are currently 7-5 in the non-conference schedule. Their signature win thus far is an 87-78 road win at Arkansas.

UCF is running their Holiday Classic right now, and beat Stetson last night, 80-70. They ran up a 40-29 lead at the half, and Stetson was never able to catch up. Marcus Jordan scored 26, and Isaiah Sykes scored 20. They play Rhode Island tonight to close the tournament and their OOC schedule, and get A.J. Rompza back tonight after serving a suspension for eligibility issues. They are currently 9-3, and you already know their signature win, don't you, UConn?

Southern Methodist lost to Oklahoma State last night in double-overtime, 68-58. They host Louisiana Tech tomorrow. Although they played the Cowboys close until they wore out late, they've lost some games they probably had no business losing. They are currently 7-5, and could've been 9-3 without close losses to Fresno State and Jackson State.

Conference USA doesn't open their play until Wednesday, January 4.

As for football, #19 Houston takes #22 Penn State in the TicketCity Bowl on January 2, and SMU has Pitt in the Compass Bowl on January 7.