An important note: UH is now getting the full load of TV $$$ $50 million rather than $25 million the first 2 years of Big 12 Conference probation. That means more NIL $ for women's sports.
2026 Season
Soccer: At least has good has last season. Hopefully make the Big 12 Tournament. 8 Big 12 teams made it to the NCAA Tournament last season. UH has a 50% chance of making NCAA Tournament.
Volleyball: Significantly improved from last season - more depth(lost many 5 set matches last year because of lack of depth), height, and athleticism(including jumping ability). I think UH has a good chance to win half their Big 12 Conference matches. 10 Big 12 teams made the NCAA Tournament last year. Yes I will drink the Kool Aid…I think UH has a chance to make NCAA Tournament.!
Cross Country: The Big 12 Conference is perhaps the top conference in the country for Cross Country. When UH was in American Athletic Conference team’s top signings were 3 or 4 runners who did not make Texas State CC Meet but made the state regionals. Now UH has about 4 runners in Men’s and Women’s Team who made state and even a couple who won the Texas State meet. But they will be competing against H.S. All-Americans for BYU and Iowa St, and Okl St. UH to finish about 7th in M and W. Last year UH finished 10th in M and W.
There are 13 M CC and 16 W CC teams in Big 12 Conference.
Swimming and Diving: UH finished in 3rd last year in Big 12 Conference Tournament out of 10 teams. UH will be slightly better and finish 3rd again.
Basketball: UH will be significantly improved from last year. UH could not even play their game…uptempo and press… not enough depth(especially point guard). UH to finish about middle of the pack. Outside chance to make NCAA.
Tennis: Improved and make NCAA Tournament.
Golf: Improved and make NCAA " and maybe final final round.
W Track and Field: It appears UH helped themselves from the Portal. Remember UH is getting twice the TV $$$ we were getting last year. Top 6 in Big 12 Conference and top 30 nationally.
Softball: The Big ? mark is softball. Last year they had good players but bad pitching. They have a new pitching coach. My belief the former coach was NOT the problem! He may have been a good coach who did NOT have the talent! The not talented enough pitchers did improve (they lowered the number of walks has the season went along).
The softball team has ( I believe) 4 new pitchers - 2 Fr( 1 from Arkansas and another from Texas) and 2 transfers( ERA’s not that impressive). Being a Fr pitcher is tough! It looks like UH may finish in the cellar or close to it!
In closing I believe a vast amount of improvement in W Basketball and Volleyball. Softball is going to be painfull.