#3 Men’s Basketball Faces UCF on Saturday Afternoon
HUSTON – Coming off the biggest conference road win in program history, the top-ranked University of Houston men’s basketball program opens its league schedule inside the Fertitta Center when it plays host to UCF on Saturday at 1 p.m. .
Houston enters this weekend’s game after an 89-50 win at Tulsa in the league opener for both teams on Wednesday night. Junior forward J’Wan Roberts led all players with 15 points, thanks to 7-of-7 shooting from the field, and grabbed a game-high nine rebounds to lead four Cougars in double figures.
It was the seventh-most conference victory for Houston in any league, but it was the largest margin of victory on the road. The 39-point victory topped the previous school record of 36 in a 76-40 win at Rice (Jan. 26, 1983) and a 109-73 win at Rice (Feb. 8, 1977).
Through December 28, Houston leads the nation in scoring defense (49.9 ppg., 3rd) and winning percentage (92.9, 4th), and ranks among the top 25 in turnover margin ( +5.4, 13th), turnovers (10.4, 15th), rebounding margin (+8.4, 17th), blocked shots (5.3, 23rd ) and offensive rebounds (13.1, 24 ).
In addition to their NCAA statistical rankings, the Cougars also lead the nation in NCAA NET rankings, KenPom.com efficiency margin and ESPN BPI through Dec. 28.
Small point guard Jamal Shead is one of only six players to rank among the nation’s Top-22 leaders in both assists per game (5.6 ppg, 22nd) and assist-to-turnover ratio (3.12, 20th). Shead joined Penn State’s Jalen Pickett (7.8 apg, 3; 4.65, 1); Kansas State’s Markquis Nowell (8.3 apg, 2; 3.12, 19); Kansas’ Dajuan Harris (6.6 apg, 6; 3.29, 13); Creighton’s Ryan Nembhard (5.9 apg, 14; 3.15, 16) and Marquette’s Tyler Kolek (7.5, 4; 3.09, 21) in that select company.
BUY TICKETS 2022-23
Fans can purchase single-game tickets for the Cougars’ 18 regular-season home games inside the Fertitta Center. Supplies are limited and fans are encouraged to purchase quickly before they run out.
To purchase tickets for a game, fans may call the Athletics Ticket Office at 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) during regular business hours or Click here whenever.
For the third straight season, the Cougars sold out their season tickets for home games inside the Fertitta Center.
Fans who were unable to purchase season tickets in 2022-23 are invited to join the 2023-24 team waiting list as the Cougars prepare to enter the Big 12 Conference. To join the ticket waiting list 2023-2024 season, fans can Click here.
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• Fans can watch Saturday’s game ESPN+ with Matt Pedersen (play-by-play) and Adam Wexler (analyst) calling the action.
• Fans can listen to Saturday’s game 950 AM KPRC or The Varsity Network app with Jeremy Branham (play-by-play) and Houston Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes calling the action. The pregame show starts at 12:45 p.m
• Fans can follow live stats by visiting StatBroadcast.com and following the relevant links or by clicking here.
ABOUT UCF
• UCF brings a 10-3 overall record and 1-0 mark in American Athletic Conference action in 2022-2023 into Saturday’s game. The Knights are tied for first with Temple in the final league standings.
• UCF owns a 1-0 record in road games this season.
• UCF has won its last two games and five of its last six. Only a 68-66 loss against Missouri on Dec. 17 prevents a longer streak.
• In his most recent action, the Knights posted a 52-45 win over Wichita State in Orlando on Wednesday night.
• Against Wichita State, sophomore guard Darius Johnson led all players with 15 points and grabbed five rebounds with four steals. Senior guard CJ Kelly finished with seven rebounds, while fifth-year forward Michael Durr added four assists in the win.
• This season, freshman guard Taylor Hendricks leads UCF with 14.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Johnson ranks second with 11.8 points per game and leads the team with 4.5 assists per game. Kelly is averaging 10.7 points per game to rank third, while senior guard Ithiel Horton is a close fourth at 10.6 points per game.
• Head coach Johnny Dawkins is in his seventh season at UCF and his 15th season as a collegiate coach.
• Dawkins has compiled a 122-75 record at UCF… Previously compiled a 156-115 mark at Stanford (2008-16).
• Dawkins has posted a 2-9 record against Houston during his career. All 11 previous meetings against the Cougars have come during his tenure at UCF.
• Dawkins has posted a 2-9 record against Houston coach Kelvin Sampson during their careers.
• 1986 graduated from Duke.
SERIES HISTORY vs. UCF
• Houston owns a 30-29 lead in the series, which began during the 2005-06 season.
• Saturday’s game is the first of two regular season meetings in 2022-23. Houston travels to meet the Knights inside Addition Financial Arena in Orlando on January 25, 2023.
• The Cougars have won their last five and nine of their last 10 against UCF. Only a 69-64 loss inside the Fertitta Center on March 2, 2019, prevented a longer streak in Houston. With that win, UCF became the first team to beat the Cougars inside the Fertitta Center.
• A year ago, Houston swept the regular season series against the Knights. The Cougars earned a 63-49 win in Orlando on Jan. 29, 2022, and followed that up with a 70-52 win inside the Fertitta Center on Feb. 17, 2022, in the most recent meeting.
• Saturday’s game marks the 17th straight season in which the two schools will play at least once.
• Schools have played as American Athletic Conference rivals at least once a season since 2013-14… Competed as Conference USA rivals from 2005-06 to 2012-13.
• The streak began with a 66-56 UCF win in Houston on Jan. 14, 2006.
in home: Houston owns an 11-5 record against UCF in Houston.
• Houston has won the last three meetings and five of the last six in Houston. Only a 69-64 loss inside the Fertitta Center on March 2, 2019, prevented a longer streak in Houston.
• In the most recent meeting in Houston, the Cougars enjoyed a 70-52 victory inside the Fertitta Center on February 17, 2022.
• In the first meeting in Houston in the series, UCF won 66-56 inside Hofheinz Pavilion on January 14, 2006.
at the Fertitta Center: Houston owns a 3-1 series lead against UCF inside the Fertitta Center.
• In the most recent meeting in Houston, the Cougars enjoyed a 70-52 victory inside the Fertitta Center on February 17, 2022.
• In the first meeting at the Fertitta Center, UCF won 69-64 on March 2, 2019. UCF.
NEXT
• After Saturday’s game, the Cougars stay in Houston to take on SMU at 6 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 5, inside the Fertitta Center. This game will be televised on ESPN2.
• From there, Houston travels north to face Cincinnati inside Third Fifth Arena at 2:00 pm (CST) on Sunday, January 8. This game will be televised on ESPN.
• All Houston men’s basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC.
SUPPORT HOUSTON’S RISE
Join in The rise of Houstona $150 million fundraising campaign for the Houston Athletics dedicated to Big 12 Conference championship success.
each The rise of Houston contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we begin Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to stand up and be counted.
JOIN THE 50-50 CLUB
Fans are invited to join the 50-50 Club to support Houston men’s basketball. 50-50 club members help fund program needs and enhance the experience for our student-athletes.
Fans who join the 50-50 Club will receive embroidered Jordan Brand team apparel, invitations to exclusive events, regular updates about the program and much more.
For more information or to register, fans can visit uhcougars.com/5050club or Click here. To join the 50-50 Club, fans can call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4687).
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can get updates by following @UHCougarMBK on Twitter and keep up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team’s Facebook page at UHCougarMBK or by visiting the team’s Instagram page at UHCougarMBK.
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