Unbeaten Cougars vault into national rankings

Houston is off to its best start since the 1969-70 season and entered the national rankings Monday. Houston is off to its best start since the 1969-70 season and entered the national rankings Monday. Photo: Brett Coomer/Staff Photographer Photo: Brett Coomer/Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 59 Caption Close Unbeaten Cougars vault into national rankings 1 / 59 Back to Gallery

Off to the school's best start in a half century, the University of Houston made its season debut in the men's national college basketball rankings Monday.

The Cougars (8-0) are No. 22 in the USA Today coaches poll and No. 24 in the Associated Press poll. It marks the first time the Cougars have been ranked since late last season.

With Saturday's 63-53 win at Oklahoma State, the Cougars are off to their best start since opening 9-0 in the 1969-70 season.

UH hosts LSU at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Fertitta Center.